‘Sex during pregnancy not risky’

Researchers have debunked the myth that engaging in intercourse during the final weeks of pregnancy can hasten delivery. So!Parents-to-be, you can now safely satisfy your cravings for sex.

The researchers at the Ohio State University Medical Centre in the United States have carried out a study and found no link between sexual intercourse and premature labour, the ScienceDaily has reported.

According to lead researcher Jonathan Schaffir, women who are more comfortable late in pregnancy may be more likely to engage in sexual activity and women who experience abdominal discomfort or pelvic pressure — possible signs of earlier delivery — won’t be inclined to want to have sex.

In fact, the researchers came to the conclusion after analysing 93 women. Out of them, those who were sexually active in the final three weeks of their pregnancies carried their babies an average of 39.9 weeks, compared to average delivery at 39.3 weeks among women who abstained from sexual activity.

Of the 93 women enrolled, 47, or 50.5 per cent, said they had sex during the final weeks of their pregnancies — more than any other similar study has indicated.