The impact of sexual intercourse during pregnancy on obstetric and neonatal outcomes: a cohort study in China

The reports about the effects of sexual attitudes and activities on obstetric outcomes were inconsistent or even contradictory. This study aims to investigate the patterns of sexual intercourse during pregnancy and its impact on obstetric and neonatal outcomes. All of the participants delivered their babies between September 2016 and June 2017 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH). An online questionnaire was sent to postpartum women with singleton deliveries at least 6 months after their deliveries. The perinatal outcome data were collected by reviewing the maternal and neonatal medical records. The obstetric and neonatal outcomes were compared between the women without and with sexual intercourse. Five hundred fifty questionnaires were sent out, and 406 (73.8%) women responded. A total of 211 (52%) women had sexual intercourse during pregnancy. There were 113, 67, 22, and 9 women reporting frequencies of sexual intercourse of less than once per month, 1–2 times/month, 3–4 times/month, and >4 times/month, respectively, and 49, 199, and 59 women reported sexual intercourse during their first, second, and third trimesters. The most common complaint was a lack of sexual interest. The experiences, frequency, and timing of sexual intercourse had no significant impact on any obstetric or neonatal outcome compared with those of the women without sexual intercourse.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? The reports about the effects of sexual attitudes and activities on obstetric outcomes were inconsistent.What do the results of this study add? In our study, the experiences, frequency, and the timing of sexual intercourse had no significant impact on any obstetric or neonatal outcome compared with those of women without sexual intercourse.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Sexual intercourse is generally safe in healthy pregnant women. What is already known on this subject? The reports about the effects of sexual attitudes and activities on obstetric outcomes were inconsistent. What do the results of this study add? In our study, the experiences, frequency, and the timing of sexual intercourse had no significant impact on any obstetric or neonatal outcome compared with those of women without sexual intercourse. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Sexual intercourse is generally safe in healthy pregnant women.