outcomes were also not different.

CONCLUSION:
Among women scheduled for labor induction who were advised to have sex, the increase in
sexual activity did not increase the rate of spontaneous labor.
Human ejaculate. Effects on the biomechanical properties of the human chorioamniotic
membranes.
Harmanli OH1, Wapner RJ, Lontz JF.
Author informationAuthor information
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Our goal was to assess the relationship between bacterial vaginosis and sexual intercourse and
the impact of both on preterm birth.

Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the effects of human ejaculate on the biomechanical properties of the human
chorioamniotic membranes.
STUDY DESIGN:
Equivalent strips of chorioamniotic membranes were obtained from 30 term, uncomplicated
pregnancies immediately after delivery and incubated for 0, 1 and 24 hours with either ejaculate
or pseudoamniotic fluid. Three biomechanical properties--rupture tension, strain to rupture and
work to rupture--were compared.
CONCLUSION:

Most sexual positions and activities during late pregnancy are not associated with adverse
pregnancy outcomes.

RESULTS:
STUDY DESIGN:
The presence of bacterial vaginosis was assessed in 790 healthy nulliparous women between 8
and 17 weeks' gestation, and they were then asked to record weekly the number of occasions of
sexual intercourse from registration to term. The end point for each was the occurrence of
preterm uterine contractions, preterm birth, or preterm rupture of the membranes.

One hour of incubation with pseudoamniotic fluid alone did not significantly change the
membrane biomechanical parameters, but these parameters were reduced after one hour of
exposure to ejaculate (P < .05). Twenty-four hours of incubation decreased all three properties in
both the ejaculate and control groups without any significant difference between the two groups.
CONCLUSION:
In vitro exposure to human ejaculate for one hour significantly weakens the human
chorioamniotic membranes.
Coitus and chorioamnionitis: a prospective study.
Naeye RL, Ross S.
Abstract
Amniotic fluid infections have been strongly associated with coitus during pregnancy. If the
relationship is causal it may be possible to identify a time sequence between coitus, penetration
of bacteria through the mucous plug in the cervix, the development of infection in the
extraplacental membranes near the cervical os, spread of the infection to the amniotic fluid and

complications of the infection. The present study looked for such a sequence in an analysis of
541 pregnancies. A peak frequency of chorioamnionitis limited to the extraplacental membranes
was present when labor and delivery took Intercourse during late pregnancy was associated with
a reduced risk of preterm delivery. The conditional odds ratio (OR) was 0.34 and 95%
confidence interval (CI) 0.23, 0.51 for preterm delivery within 2 weeks after intercourse. Similar
decreased risk for preterm delivery was found with recent female orgasm. Adjusting for race,
age, education, and living with a partner had little effect on results. Cases were more likely than
controls to report poorer health, medical reasons for reducing sexual activity, less interest in sex,
and receipt of advice to restrict sexual activity during pregnancy. Results did not differ
substantially according to presence or absence of bacterial vaginosis at 28 weeks.

place within two days of the last coitus. In the next two days the infection spread to the amniotic
fluid as evidenced by a peak frequency of maternal neutrophils migrating through the placental
plate toward the amniotic cavity. Premature delivery was 4 times more frequent when there had
been recent coitus and an amniotic fluid infection was present than when either factor was absent
(P less than 0.01). Spontaneous rupture of the fetal membranes before the onset of and the
membranes were inflamed than when these factors were absent (P less than 0.01). This raises the
possibility that orgasm further weakened or ruptured membranes that had already been weakened
by infection.
Effect of prostaglandin and seminal fluid on human chorioamniotic membranes
STUDY DESIGN:
Women aged 15 to 45 years having preterm premature rupture of membranes, term premature
rupture of membranes, or preterm delivery without premature rupture of membranes were
matched singly by age, race, and parity to control women delivered of term infants. Information
about six sexual activities, obstetric history, cervical infections, smoking during pregnancy, and
sociodemographic information was obtained by face-to-face interview.
Coitus during pregnancy is not related to bacterial vaginosis or preterm birth.
Kurki T1, Ylikorkala O.

RESULTS: