Some experts suggest that semen and sperm might help prevent preeclampsia and reduce morning sickness during pregnancy. Engaging in sex while pregnant can offer benefits like lower blood pressure, better sleep, and increased intimacy. Interestingly, exposure to sperm might provide additional advantages, although more research is needed to confirm these claims.
Preeclampsia is a risky pregnancy condition marked by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, affecting 5% to 8% of pregnancies. It can lead to complications such as low birth weight, placental abruption, preterm birth, kidney failure, or even the death of the mother or fetus. A study from Denmark found that women exposed to their partner’s semen for at least six months before conception had a lower risk of developing preeclampsia. This might be because semen contains proteins and microbes that can enhance the mother’s immune response, potentially creating an “immunity” against preeclampsia.
A 2014 study in the Journal of Reproductive Immunology also linked vaginal exposure to seminal fluid with a reduced risk of preeclampsia. Women with the most exposure had a 70% lower risk, although oral exposure did not have the same effect.
Psychologist Gordon Gallup from SUNY-Albany theorizes that increased semen exposure might alleviate morning sickness. He suggests that a pregnant woman’s body may reject paternal cells from the fetus, causing nausea and vomiting. By exposing the body to semen, either vaginally or orally, it might develop a tolerance to paternal DNA, reducing these symptoms. However, this theory lacks scientific proof, so it should be considered cautiously.
Some experts, like OB-GYN Jimmy Belotte, suggest that sex might induce labor in overdue pregnancies. Orgasms can mimic uterine contractions, and sex can release oxytocin, a hormone linked to labor. Semen might also play a role, as it contains prostaglandins, compounds that help ripen the cervix. Synthetic prostaglandins are used in labor-inducing drugs like misoprostol.
In rare cases, a second pregnancy can occur while a woman is already pregnant, a phenomenon known as superfetation. This happens when another egg is fertilized after the first one has implanted. Although common in some species, superfetation is rare in humans, with only a few documented cases, often involving in vitro fertilization.
If you’re unsure about the safety of sexual activity during pregnancy, consult your doctor. Generally, medical evidence suggests that sex and sperm are beneficial, not harmful, to both the mother and baby during pregnancy.
