Gettin’ Jiggy With It – Why Giving Birth in Edinburgh & The Lothians is a Bit Like Sex
- Joy
- Sep 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 30
A Friday Night to Remember: How Romance Prepares You for Labour
Setting the Scene
Imagine it’s a Friday night. You’ve got a romantic evening planned with your partner. For some, that might mean a fancy dinner out. For others, it’s a cosy night in with music, candles, good conversation, a bit of laughter and ... if you’re lucky ... some intimacy too.
The magic of the evening comes from feeling safe, calm, connected, and totally at ease. You’re in the right headspace, your body is relaxed, and you can let things unfold naturally.
Now, you might be wondering… what on earth does this have to do with labour and birth?
Sex, Birth, and the Hormone Connection
The truth is, our bodies work best in both situations when we feel:
Safe
Unobserved
Relaxed
Supported by someone we trust
That’s because the same key hormones are involved in both sex and labour:
Oxytocin – the “love hormone”. It fuels orgasm and drives labour by stimulating contractions and bonding after birth.
Endorphins – your body’s natural painkillers. They rise during sex and labour, easing discomfort and creating that dreamy “labour land” state.
Adrenaline – the fight-or-flight hormone. Just like someone barging into your bedroom mid-romance would kill the mood, adrenaline in labour slows or stalls progress.
Setting the Mood for Labour
Think about it: would you want to be intimate in a brightly lit room, with strangers watching and commenting? Probably not.
Labour works in much the same way. Privacy, dim lighting, and supportive company can make all the difference. Research shows that environments designed to reduce stress and promote calm can help labour progress more smoothly (Buckley, 2015; Odent, 2003).
Some practical ways to set the scene:
Lighting – lamps, fairy lights, or LED candles instead of harsh overheads
Sounds – playlists of music or calming sounds you love
Smells – lavender, essential oils, or your own pillow from home
People – choose birth partners who make you feel safe, calm, and respected
These small touches help your oxytocin and endorphins flow, while keeping adrenaline at bay.
Trusting Your Body
Just like during sex, in labour you may need to experiment with different positions, movements, and rhythms to find what feels right.
Upright or forward-leaning positions can:
Help labour progress
Support your baby’s descent
Reduce pain and pressure
And just as intimacy is about connection rather than performance, labour isn’t about “doing it right” - it’s about finding what works for you in the moment.
Local Antenatal Classes in Linlithgow & West Lothian
If you’re preparing for birth near Linlithgow, West Lothian, or Falkirk, it’s worth thinking about how you can shape your own birth environment - whether at home, in a midwife-led unit, or in hospital.
In my in-person antenatal classes in Linlithgow , we explore exactly this: how to create conditions that help your hormones work for you. From relaxation techniques to partner roles, you’ll leave with practical strategies you can use in labour.
Final Thoughts
So yes, giving birth really is a bit like sex. Both need privacy, safety, trust, and the right environment to let your body do what it’s designed to do.
Plan your labour like you’d plan a romantic evening: set the mood, choose your company wisely, and give yourself permission to relax and go with the flow. Your body already knows what to do.
Want to feel calm, confident and prepared for birth? Join my friendly antenatal courses in Linlithgow. Small groups, evidence-based guidance, and ongoing local support across West Lothian and Falkirk.
References
Buckley, S. (2015). Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing: Evidence and Implications for Women, Babies, and Maternity Care. Childbirth Connection.
Odent, M. (2003). The Scientification of Love. Free Association Books.
NHS Choices. (2023). Pain relief in labour.
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