Effect of sexual relationship during the last four weeks of pregnancy on Bishop score

Cervical favoring or ripening which is evaluated by Bishop score is an important factor for predicting the type of delivery, especially at the induction of labor. Higher bishop score predicts more vaginal delivery and reduction of cesarean. The present study is designed to assess the effect of intercourse during the last four weeks of pregnancy on cervical ripening for giving birth.

In this case-control study, cases were included 74 primigravid women with unriped cervix (Bishop<4) and control was 102 primigravid women with ripped cervix (Bishop>4). The two groups were referred for vaginal delivery at term and compared based on times of intercourse and experiencing orgasm during the last four weeks of pregnancy. The data were collected by examination and interview using a checklist.

Case and control group were matched based on age, job and economic situation. Mean times of intercourse were 1.8±2.3 and 3.1±3.2 in case and control groups, respectively. Mann-Whitney u test showed that the control group reported more intercourse than the case group in the last four weeks of pregnancy, significantly (P<0.01, Z=2.8). In case group, 41 persons (55.4%) and in the control 72 persons (70.2%) experienced orgasm during intercourse. This difference was also significant.

According to the results of this study, sexual relationship and orgasm in the last four weeks of pregnancy are related to cervical favoring and so declining cesarean