Your desire for sex might increase or decrease during pregnancy. You may also find that your partner wants to try different positions. Open communication is key to a satisfying and safe sexual relationship.
It’s safe to have sex during pregnancy, as long as the fetus is not at risk for complications. This is because the amniotic sac and strong muscles of the uterus protect it.
1. It’s Safe
While it might be taboo to discuss, routine, straightforward intercourse in a healthy pregnancy is safe for both mother and baby. However, if you’re concerned or worried about your safety, consult your healthcare professional before engaging in sexual activity.
Having sex during pregnancy can be a great way to bond with your partner and build intimacy, regardless of whether or not you continue to have sex after the baby is born. It can also help reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation that some women experience during and after their pregnancy.
Orgasms flood your body with oxytocin, which helps ease anxiety and stress. Additionally, some research suggests that a woman’s exposure to semen can prepare her body for labor, as it contains prostaglandins, which ripen the cervix.
It’s important to note that your sex drive might change or that you may not feel the same way about sex during your pregnancy. In that case, there are many other ways to build intimacy with your partner such as cuddling, kissing, massages and candle-lit dinners. Talking about your changing feelings and establishing open communication with your partner is also beneficial.
2. It Promotes Intimacy
While your libido may change throughout pregnancy, it’s still important to maintain a healthy sexual relationship. The key is open communication about your desires and finding ways to be intimate through other means, such as cuddling, kissing, or massage.
Sex is safe during all trimesters of a low-risk pregnancy, but some positions will get harder to manage as the baby grows (the missionary position is nearly impossible in late pregnancy). Your practitioner will let you know about safe pregnancy sex positions that work for you.
Women who have sex during pregnancy might feel extra sensitive because their nipples and clitoris are engorged with blood and their estrogen levels are high. They might also find that orgasms are longer, more intense, and stronger than before. But these changes are not related to labor, since the amniotic sac and strong muscles of the uterus provide protection for the fetus. The kicking that happens after an orgasm is a normal fetal response to the stimulation of the uterus and is not a sign of premature labor. However, you should always tell your practitioner if you have any contractions that worry you.
3. It’s Non-Penetrative
While some people may think that sex isn’t safe during pregnancy, in a normal uncomplicated pregnancy it is completely safe for both mother and child. The fetus is protected by strong uterus muscles, amniotic fluid and a mucus plug that develops around the cervix.
Orgasms release oxytocin that can cause labor contractions, but they are not the same as true preterm labor. Women who are at a higher risk of miscarriage may be advised to avoid sex if they experience symptoms such as uterine contractions, bleeding or loss of amniotic fluid.
Some couples find that their desire for sex decreases as they get further into their pregnancy, and this is perfectly normal. However, good communication and the use of lubrication can help to increase comfort. Non-penetrative sex such as oral sex is also fine during pregnancy, although some women find that the engorgement of their vulva can intensify the sensation. Oral sex should never involve blowing air into the vagina, as this can push normal bacteria up into the uterus or force harmful air bubbles into blood vessels (which could be fatal). The woman should always remain on her back for oral sex during pregnancy, as this position is more comfortable and reduces the risk of an air embolism.
4. It’s Non-Invasive
As long as you have a healthy pregnancy with no complications, and your doctor has cleared you, you can continue to engage in sexual activity. Having sex during pregnancy can help you and your partner feel closer, burn calories, and release stress.
Penetrative sex is generally safe during pregnancy because your baby is protected in the uterus, cushioned by amniotic fluid, and the opening of the cervix is blocked by a layer of mucus called the “mucus plug.” Also, the penis doesn’t go past your vagina during intercourse, so it can’t cause harm to the baby.
However, your partner may be more tentative about penetrative sex during pregnancy because of worries that it could cause an air embolism. This is an extremely rare risk, but it’s something that you and your partner should discuss openly before sexual activity during pregnancy. It’s also important to use a condom or sperm barrier protection with your partner, as this protects against infections such as chlamydia, herpes, and HIV that can hurt the baby. You can also try different positions to make sex more comfortable and less penetrative.
5. It’s Non-Poking
Many pregnant women worry that sex during pregnancy will hurt the baby or cause miscarriage. However, as long as the pregnancy is considered low-risk and there are no other complications, sex is safe for both the mother and the baby. During sexual intercourse, a woman’s penis will not poke the uterus and fetus because it is cushioned by thick muscular walls of the uterus and amniotic fluid, Ross says.
Moreover, the fetus is floating in a weightless bag of amniotic fluid that protects it from external forces that could hurt the uterus. Besides, the opening of the cervix is blocked by a mass of mucous that helps shield it from trauma or outside forces.
Also, orgasms flood the body with oxytocin, which makes the uterus less sensitive and creates a feeling of calmness and well-being. These are factors that contribute to the feeling of pleasure during sex, which is why some pregnant women experience enhanced sex during orgasms. However, a woman’s sexual desire may fluctuate during pregnancy. She and her partner should communicate openly about how they feel and work on positions that are comfortable for both.
