Sex During Pregnancy

There is no medical evidence that having sex while pregnant can cause any harm to the baby. The baby is protected from the effects of sexual activity by the cushioning properties of the fluid in the amniotic sac, and the muscles of the uterus. The cervix, or neck of the uterus, is sealed off by a thick mucus plug which helps guard against infection.

There are a few certain circumstances where health care professionals may advise against having sex in pregnancy. These are:

• Placenta praevia. This condition, affecting less than one percent of pregnant women, is also known as low lying placenta.
• A history of miscarriage. Your doctor may advise abstaining from sexual intercourse during the first trimester, or at times during those first three months where menstruation would have occurred.
• A history of premature labour. Doctors may advise caution during the whole pregnancy, or just the later stages, where there has been a previous pre term birth.
• Bleeding. Whether during the pregnancy in general or specifically after sex, any bleeding should be reported to a doctor. Depending on the outcome of any examinations or scans, and the frequency of the bleeding,doctors may recommend not having further intercourse.

Sex during pregnancy cannot hasten the onset of labour unless it is time for it to begin anyway. Uterine contractions may be experienced during orgasm but these are not powerful enough to induce labour. When the time for labour to begin is much closer to hand, then nipple stimulation and substances called prostaglandins, which are present in semen, can help to bring it on.

Sensation & Desire for Sex in Pregnancy

Increased blood flow to the pelvic area in pregnancy can lead to a heightened sense of arousal. The genital area can become engorged, but this engorgement is not a potential source of pleasure for every woman during sex. Some find it uncomfortable. Similarly, sexual desire can be increased or decreased by the condition of pregnancy for both the woman and her partner.

Sometimes women feel more feminine in pregnancy and therefore more sexual beings while they are pregnant. Men may be more aroused by the new voluptuousness of their partner. Alternatively, either party may experience an involuntary feelings that sex is somehow not appropriate to be involved in sexual activity at such a time.

With such varied responses and feelings to sex that can abound, the time of pregnancy is a crucial time for women and their partners to be as informed as possible and, crucially, to communicate with each other.

Other factors that can play a part in affecting the sex lives of a woman and her partner during pregnancy are:

• Spontaneity. No need now for contraception when having sex for those sure of their own and their partners sexual health.
• No more periods for a time. This can feel like such a new freedom for many women.
• Fatigue. In the first trimester especially, exhaustion can mean that sex is the last thing on a woman’s mind.
• Impracticality. The size of the bump by the third trimester may present some difficulties. More on this below.

Sexual Positions in Pregnancy

Sexual activity can continue throughout pregnancy, though practical measures will probably have to be taken with regard to sexual positions. The missionary position will become increasingly impractical around the time of the second trimester. Some women also experience nausea when lying on their backs. Viable alternatives include:

• Woman on top. This gives the woman more control over the amount of penetration as well as keeping the weight off the abdomen.
• Sitting position. A slight variation on the above perhaps with the man sitting in a serviceable chair.
• Spoons position. This again keeps the mans weight off the abdomen and also is a precautionary position, in that only quite shallow penetration is possible. This is a situation some women find preferable as pregnancy progresses.
• Rear entry. It may be advisable to exercise care with rear entry positions as they enable deep penetration.
Experiment to find the most comfortable position for you. Such experimentation may in itself bring an extra dimension to you and your partner’s physical relationship.

Alternatives to Intercourse in Pregnancy

An inability to work around the bump or discomfort issues may rule out penetrative sex for a period of the pregnancy. This does not necessarily, however, mean an end to all sexual activity. Gentle oral sex and mutual masturbation should not pose any problems while a woman is pregnant. Massage can be most stimulating for either partner. Seek advice first if considering using any aromatherapy oil.