[Sexual activity, cardiotocographic findings and time of delivery in physiologic pregnancy. Survey of a population controlled by ambulatory cardiotocography].

STUDY DESIGN: Out of 720 patients with physiological pregnancy coming weekly to the cardiotocography service, it was decided to verify if, in comparison with controls, sexual activity after the 37th week, might make some differences as regard to duration of pregnancy, incidence of PROM and cesarean section. RESULTS: Only a small minority was sexually active. From statistical tests it was observed that sexual intercourse coincided with a greater parity, a lower maternal age, a greater number of nonstress test with uterine contractions and an average duration of pregnancy, slightly lower than in controls (38.80 vs 39.76 weeks). Most of the pregnancies over the 40th week and the greatest incidence of cesarean sections due to fetal distress were observed in sexually inactive patients. A sexual activity after the 37th week did not indicate a greater incidence of PROM CONCLUSIONS: According to personal opinion and provided there is not an obstetric pathology, there are advantages and not disadvantages from a less prohibitionist habit concerning sex by the end of the period of pregnancy.