University News Last updated 29 April 2015
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge should invest in some alone time this weekend in a bid to hurry the arrival of the overdue Royal baby, according to a health expert at Birmingham City University.
Alison Edwards, Senior Lecturer in Midwifery at Birmingham City University, said sexual intercourse in the late stages of pregnancy can elicit chemical and physical responses associated with bringing on labour.
Ms Edwards said: “Semen contains a hormone which can work on the cervix and in turn stimulate contractions.
“Kate could also consider walking to help the baby to move into the pelvis and encourage the onset of labour.”
Ms Edwards is less convinced by other frequently mentioned labour stimulants, including hot curries.
“Several much discussed ‘remedies’ such as curry, liquorice and dates, much like the cod liver oil that people used to take, have a tendency to cause women to open their bowels and can even lead to diarrhoea. This can itself trigger contractions but these can be quite violent in nature so are not recommended.”
Ms Edwards also counselled pregnant women on driving with large bumps after the Duchess was spotted earlier this week driving away from Buckingham Palace after taking Prince George swimming.
“Kate is pretty petite in this pregnancy and has long legs so driving may not have been too problematic for her, but women who choose to drive whilst pregnant should always remember that the seat belt must go around the bump and not across it.”