An Urban Legend Debunked

Reports the NYT, sex does not jump-start labor. In fact, it may slow it down:

The study, in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, followed 93 women in their third trimesters, all of whom answered questions about their sexual activity and underwent cervical examinations at regular doctor's visits. Those who reported having sex in their final weeks of pregnancy — about half — delivered on average at 39.9 weeks, compared with 39.3 weeks among those who had abstained.