A new study discredits the myth that intercourse late in pregnancy accelerates the process of labor and delivery. It was determined in a study at Ohio State University Medical Center that the opposite was true. Out of 93 women studied, those who had intercourse in the last few weeks of pregnancy carried their children for an average of 39.9 weeks as opposed to 39.3 weeks for women who refrained from intercourse. Out of 93 women, 50.5 said that they had sex in the final weeks of their pregnancies.

Jonathan Schaffir, an obstetrician at OSU Medical Center and author of the study published in the June issue of the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, stated that while there is no evidence to support the myth that sex late in pregnancy can accelerate delivery, there is no evidence to support the idea that intercourse is in any way beneficial in the late stages of pregnancy.

The women tested were low-risk single pregnancies after their 37th week of pregnancy. They were asked each week whether they had sex, and if so how many times. Their cervixes were measured to determine the affect, if any, of said intercourse. The lack of affect on the cervix as well as the lack of deference in delivery dates suggests that intercourse does not induce labor.

Schaffir also stated that the study does not address the wide variety of sexual behaviors that could conceivably affect the induction of labor. He also stated that women who experienced pelvic pressure and or abdominal discomfort (possibly signs of early delivery) are less likely to want to engage in intercourse.