Overdue: Can Sex Help Things Along Naturally?
I am two weeks past my due date and would like to help things along "naturally" by making love. Any ideas?
Question:Peg Plumbo CNM
Peg Plumbo has been a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) since 1976. She has assisted at over 1,000 births and currently teaches in the... Read more
Basically, anything that facilitates the release of oxytocin will start labor if the baby is ready. Orgasm and intercourse are among the most common ways women try to bring on labor at home.
There is no harm in having intercourse right up to the time of labor unless you have experienced bleeding, are at risk for premature rupture of the membranes or have any undiagnosed leaking of fluid.
It's important to remember that anything that stimulates the uterus to contract, such as prolonged (five minutes or more) of nipple stimulation, may cause hyperstimulation and resulting utero-placental insufficiency (hypoxia or lack of oxygen flow to baby) as a complication. This should not be done at home -- when the baby is not monitored -- to try to bring on labor.
