Myth of the month

Having sex late in pregnanacy will trigger labor

We know you're eager to see your baby's face (and you're probably feeling a bit uncomfortable), but no amount of lovemaking is going to speed things along. A new study from Ohio State University College of Medicine found that women who were sexually active at the end of their pregnancies didn't have their babies any sooner than those who abstained. So how did this rumor get started? "Semen contains low levels of prostaglandins, the hormones that induce labor," says study author Jonathan Schaffir, M.D. "But the small amount exchanged during intercourse doesn't appear to initiate labor in any way." Of course, you should always ask your health-care provider about what's healthiest for you.