[Coitus during pregnancy, vaginal flora and fetal outcome]

We studied a total of 105 women in late pregnancy in intervals of 2 to 4 weeks. At each prenatal visit we asked about the frequency of coital activity during the last 2 weeks, and took a vaginal smear for gram-staining. The frequency of coitus decreased with advancing gestational age. After 35 weeks, 42% of gravidae still reported coitus, one fourth of them with a frequency of more than 2 times per week. Purulent vaginal discharge and candidiasis were seen more often in women with frequent coital activity. There was no relationship between the frequency of coitus after 30 weeks and onset of labor or premature rupture of the membranes and fetal outcome (meconium staining, Apgar score, umbilical artery blood pH). Our study shows that a large percentage of pregnant women are sexually active near term. A negative influence of coital activity in late pregnancy on delivery and fetal outcome is not to be expected.