There are some simple ways you can try to encourage labour to begin:

• Make love. When the cervix or neck of the womb is ready for labour to begin, it has the same texture as your lips and is described as being ripe. An unripe cervix is long and hard, rather like the end of your nose. Substances called prostaglandins can help to ripen the cervix and semen is a natural source of prostaglandins.

So, making love two or three times over a couple of days could trigger labour if you are more than 40 weeks pregnant. However, intercourse won’t put you into labour if labour is not just about ready to begin anyway. It is quite safe to have sex in pregnancy unless you have a medical problem like a low lying placenta.

• If you don’t feel up to full intercourse, try a relaxing massage. Get your partner to focus on your breasts and clitoris. Orgasm may help nudge your body into labour and most women don’t need penetration to achieve orgasm. If it doesn’t work at least it will be fun trying!