Maternal health experts have cautioned pregnant women to avoid sexual intercourse once they reach 36 weeks of pregnancy, citing health and safety concerns for both mother and baby.
While sex during pregnancy is generally considered safe for most women, gynaecologists whose interview was monitored by DAILY GAZETTE said couples should exercise restraint as delivery approaches to reduce the risk of infection and other complications.
Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr. Joseph Akinde explained that the main reason for advising against sex from 36 weeks onward is to protect the mother and unborn child from possible infections.
“Women are advised to stop intercourse from about 36 weeks onwards to minimise infection risks,” Akinde said.
“Although semen contains prostaglandins that may help the cervix prepare for labour, the evidence is weak and speculative.”
He added that while some believe sex close to delivery could hasten labour, scientific studies have not conclusively proven this claim.
Supporting this position, Professor Oluwarotimi Akinola, former president of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), said there is no medical rule either for or against sex during pregnancy.
“Sex in pregnancy is mainly for intimacy and emotional bonding, not a medical necessity,” he explained.
“However, there are times to be cautious, early in pregnancy, when miscarriage risk is high, and late in pregnancy, when the chance of infection increases.”
Akinola stressed that the belief semen can soften the cervix is largely anecdotal, not scientific. “It’s not a prescription,” he said.
“We don’t tell couples to have sex to induce labour.”
He, however, acknowledged that maintaining intimacy can help couples stay emotionally connected, especially during the stresses of pregnancy.
“It helps in keeping families together and maintaining closeness, but it should never compromise safety,” he noted.
Offering a contrasting opinion, Professor Ernest Orji, another consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, said that for most women, sexual activity remains safe even beyond 36 weeks.
“There’s no problem with sex throughout pregnancy unless there’s a medical concern such as previous miscarriage or vaginal bleeding,” he said.
According to Orji, regular sexual activity in late pregnancy can enhance emotional bonding between partners and may even help initiate labour naturally.
“Sex helps in marital bonding, emotional well-being, and reducing infidelity,” he said.
“In fact, some studies show that regular intercourse in late pregnancy can help soften the cervix and prepare the body for delivery.”
He advised that couples should adjust their sexual positions to ensure comfort and avoid pressure on the abdomen, emphasizing that communication and consent are key.
“Any position comfortable for the woman is acceptable. The goal is emotional connection, not discomfort,” he added.
While experts differ on whether sex should continue until delivery, they agree on one point, every woman’s pregnancy is different.
The safest approach is to follow individual medical advice and prioritize both maternal and fetal health.
“If a woman has any complication, infection, bleeding, or premature contractions, abstinence is advised,” Dr. Akinde concluded.
