Until week 42 of pregnancy, a baby is not considered “late.” Doctors typically adopt a wait-and-see strategy until then. But you’re probably aware of some methods that supposedly hurry things along, including exercise and sex. What’s fact, and what’s fiction?
Exercise and physical activity
Many believe that going for a brisk walk or doing aerobic exercise will rouse a baby from his comfortable slumber. That is a pervasive myth. Obstetricians recommend exercise and physical activity throughout pregnancy (unless there are complications) for overall health [1]. There’s no risk of approved physical activity causing preterm labor.
However, staying fit does play a role in delivering at full term. Overweight women are more likely to give birth after week 40. That is because adipose tissue (fat) is hormonally active and affects metabolic processes that are important at the beginning of labor. Pregnant women who bring their BMI down to a healthy level generally give birth at term instead of after [2].
Sex
Studies have shown that orgasm can stimulate labor, as orgasm causes uterine contractions, which can turn into labor contractions. But more often than not, in a healthy pregnancy free of complications, not even sex will bring labor on if the baby isn’t ready [3], so there are no guarantees.
Conclusion
Research shows that the optimal time to give birth is between weeks 39 and 40 [4]. The only way to guarantee this timeline is to discuss medical interventions with your doctor. There are options such as drugs that can dilate the cervix or stimulate contractions. However, sometimes the best thing you can do is wait a little longer while your baby gets ready to meet the world.
