Sex during pregnancy is recognized as safe
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Scientists from the University of Malaya, Malaysia, denied the widespread belief that sex during pregnancy can lead to premature birth. The specialists did not find any differences and deviations in the timing of the appearance of children in the world between women who had sex life during pregnancy and those who abstained from intimate relationships.
Those who did not support sex during pregnancy, argued that prostaglandins - the active substances contained in the sperm, can cause premature birth, causing a contraction of the uterus. Also, the cause of premature birth, they called getting orgasm and stimulation of the breast.
To participate in the study, experts attracted more than 1,100 women, whose gestation was from 35 to 38 weeks (the typical gestation period lasts 40 weeks). Neither of them had sex in the last six weeks.
Half of the women were recommended to have sex, the doctors told them that it was quite safe in their situation. The second half of the future mothers experts said that having sex during pregnancy can provoke an unexpected effect and it is impossible to say exactly how this will affect the bearing of a child.
In the course of the study, scientists monitored the condition of women to determine how long the pregnancy lasts and whether there is a need for any medical intervention in the process of raising a child.
As it turned out, 85% of the women in the first group, who were recommended sex, took advantage of the advice of doctors. And pregnant women from the second group also did not go far, despite the inaccurate forecasts of doctors about the safety of sex during pregnancy - 80% of women from the second group were not afraid to lead a full sexual life.
The duration of the gestation period in both groups averaged 39 weeks, and the rates of preterm labor were approximately the same. Scientists do not link these indicators to having sex or lack of sex.
This study suggests that sex is not a threat to premature birth and does not increase their risks. If there are no problems with pregnancy, then sex will not harm the fetus and will not cause negative consequences.
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