The last few weeks of pregnancy can be stressful, particularly for first-time parents. While many of us view modern medical interventions as the safer option, natural methods to induce labor, such as masturbation, have been used for generations. But, it is still unclear if masturbating while pregnant can help get labor going.
To find the answer, we spoke to healthcare professionals and industry experts about using sex to induce labor, masturbation and pregnancy, natural vs medical labor induction, and safety precautions to consider.
Can masturbation really start labor?
Inducing labor has become common, with every one in four pregnant people undergoing this medical procedure. However, many people still prefer natural means to kickstart labor, though there's much debate over how effective these are at actually inducing labor.
What is Labor Induction?
Labor induction is a medical process where your doctor or gynecologist will use medication and treatment to start the childbirth and delivery process.
Health practitioners will only recommend labor induction when your due date has passed or when your health or your baby’s health is at risk and a pre-mature birth is needed. Examples include placental abruption, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. In some cases, labor induction can help limit health complications.
Dr. Vanessa Nkwer, a medical doctor, points out that labor induction is only offered “once a patient has reached a gestational age of 41 weeks for uncomplicated pregnancies”. However, for high-risk pregnancies, Dr Nkwer notes that labor can be induced from 37-40 weeks.
However, labor induction doesn’t always mean the birth process will be any quicker than natural birth.
Dr. Kecia Gaither, an OB-GYN and perinatal consultant, told Parents that, “The consistency, dilation, or position of the cervix will give an estimate of how long the process will take. So, the induction process will vary depending on the condition of the cervix at the time the induction begins."
The Role of Hormones
Throughout your pregnancy journey and postpartum, your body is affected by several hormones. For labor, hormones such as oxytocin, prolactin and adrenaline are vital.
Oxytocin is a type of reproductive hormone that plays a key role throughout pregnancy. While oxytocin is widely known as the love hormone, it also stimulates uterine contractions pre-labor. Oxytocin helps stimulate the release of prostaglandins as well, which assists with cervical ripening and contractions. So, boosting your oxytocin levels can help induce labor.
Natural vs Medical Induction
To initiate labor, the cervix needs to soften and open. When medical professionals use several methods induce labor. The most effective method is known as ripening the cervix. However, sweeping the membrane of the amniotic sac, making a hole in the amniotic sac, or taking pitocin can assist.
While medical induction is effective, as long as there's no medical reason to induce labor, there are several natural methods that expecting mothers can use to get labor going on their own.
Nipple Stimulation:
Did you know that rubbing or rolling your nipples can help you prepare for and induce labor? When you stimulate your nipples, you can trigger the release of oxytocin. A 2024 study indicates that nipple stimulation can aid uterine contractions and reduce the length of labor.
Sex:
Pretty much every pregnant woman or person has been told that having sex is a great (and fun!) way to induce labor. But does it actually work?
While studies and the consensus about sex during pregnancy are mixed, a 2011 study by researchers at Ohio State University found that 23 percent of pregnant people turned to sex as a means to induce labor. And Yolandi Luther, a professional nurse, points out that “any sexual act has a softening effect on the cervix,” which can help to induce labor.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Pregnant Sex
Semen and Prostaglandins
Did you know that semen can help to induce labor? Semen contains high amounts of prostaglandins, with studies suggesting that semen contains up to 300μg/ml of prostaglandins. These prostaglandins play a fundamental role in cervical ripening and the onset of labor as they help soften the cervix in preparation for childbirth.
Can masturbation induce labor?
Masturbating and orgasms during pregnancy are considered one of the easiest and most stress-relieving ways to help pregnant people prepare for labor. But does it actually help induce labor?
Throughout pregnancy, the need for pleasure and sexual desire will fluctuate. For some, nausea and morning sickness put them off sex entirely, while for others, the desire to have sex, or at least orgasm, will drastically increase. While sex with your partner might stop entirely by the third trimester, you can orgasm on your own – either with sex toys, your hands, or your fantasies alone.
Dr Shanna Kattari, an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, offers, "Masturbation can be a means to an end (in this case, the goal of labor), but it can be harder and harder to climax when you feel it is a chore or something you HAVE to do”.
Orgasms also trigger uterine contractions, which may help kick off labor. However, these are often Braxton-Hick's contractions and usually go away.
Orgasms can also provide calmness and stress relief due to the release of oxytocin and dopamine. The post-orgasm flood of oxytocin causes in uterine contractions, which can help get labor going.
So, can masturbation actually help induce labor? Current research doesn't give us a definitive answer. However, it's been known to work, and if there aren't any medical reasons to avoid naturally inducing labor, there's no reason not to give it a shot!
Are masturbation and sex safe during pregnancy?
Many pregnant women and people are concerned about the potential risks of any sexual activity, masturbation or sex, during pregnancy. It's a valid concern! Luckily, masturbation and sex are entirely safe for healthy women and pregnant people with low-risk pregnancies.
High-risk Pregnancies
However, if your pregnancy is high-risk, it's be best to be more cautious.
Dr Nkwer says those who've had a previous uterine surgery, a myomectomy, and/or malpresentation, which can all put a patient at a higher risk for uterine ruptures, or conditions like placenta previa, vaginal bleeding, a history of preterm labor, or a weak cervix are at higher risk for all kinds of pregnancy complications. These women and pregnant people should avoid masturbation and sex during pregnancy, just to be safe.
Risk of Preterm Labor
Preterm labor occurs when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Luther says that labor can be induced from 20 weeks onwards, dependent on the weight of the baby. Inducing preterm labor is only done in extreme cases when the health of the baby is at high risk.
However, triggering labor too early can cause several health issues in the baby. These include:
- Breathing problems due to underdeveloped lungs
- Health issues due to patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and low blood pressure
- Digestive issues
- Weak immune systems
Though there's very little chance that masturbation or sex could trigger preterm labor, people who are showing signs of preterm labor or who've experienced preterm labor in the past should consult their doctor before masturbating and having sex in their second and third trimesters.
Importance of Consulting a Doctor
Pregnancy is one of the most important periods of your life. As such, it's important to consult a medical doctor and an OB-GYN throughout the pregnancy to ensure you take the right steps to stay safe and healthy. The standard recommendation is to visit your doctor every four weeks while pregnant and every week when you reach 36 weeks.
During these visits, your doctor is there to provide emotional support and will be able to answer all of your questions, such as the amount of coffee you can safely drink and whether or not you can climax while pregnant.
Katari states, “Masturbation/orgasm earlier on in your pregnancy can actually help you strengthen your kegel muscles to make birth easier and help with incontinence during and post pregnancy."
Sex positions that might help induce labor
If your pregnancy is low-risk, there's no reason you can't have sex with your partner! That being said, sex during pregnancy can be a bit complicated. It can be difficult to find positions that feel safe and supportive for your pregnant body.
Dr Shanna suggests, “Pregnant people might try being on their hands and knees (include pillows underneath chest and belly for support as comfortable), or on their back with the legs/hips open. Similarly, being on their back at the end of the bed with their legs hanging down might be comfortable as well.”
And if you're trying to kick off labor with some sexy time, there are a few sex positions that may help get things going.
The Cross Position
During the final stages of pregnancy, it's best to adapt to ensure the pregnant partner is comfortable and relaxed. This is where the cross sex position comes in.
The Cross position allows the pregnant person to lie flat on their back, thus limiting any pressure from the abdomen. If you're just trying to get some sperm on the cervix to ripen it or get an oxytocin boost from an orgasm to kick off labor, this position offers the easiest ways to accomplish those goals.
The Spoon Position
While spooning is often used to describe cuddling, it's also a great sex position for pregnancy. The pregnant partner can be the “little spoon” and the receiver in this position. This gives the pregnant partner’s stomach enough room, allowing them to feel relaxed and comfortable.
For an added bonus to increase the chances of inducing labor, the “big spoon” can stimulate the pregnant person’s nipples, giving them an extra boost of oxytocin.
Such Royalty
Though this position can be done by propping the pregnant person up with pillows, sex furniture like the Liberator Equus Wave makes it way easier. The pregnant person to lie flat on their back while the pillows or sex furniture props up their hips. This gives their partner easy access for oral pleasure.
Read More: 7 Safe, Sizzling Sex Positions for Pregnant People
Final Takeaways
Masturbation has many benefits for overall health and well-being, and it's usually completely safe during every stage of pregnancy. During the final stages of pregnancy, masturbation may help induce labor by giving the body a big dose of oxytocin and kicking off uterine contractions.
