Sex During Pregnancy. Is It Safe?

If you want to become pregnant or you are pregnant, you might have found an lots of information about sex before pregnancy (having coitus in order to achieve conception) and sex after delivering a baby (general agreement: expect a less active sexual activities when there is an infant just sleeping next to you).

However, there is a less information about the topic of sexual activities that happen during pregnancy, perhaps this is because of it is the tendency of our culture to dissociate all the pregnant women from any kind of sexual activity. Like many couples who are likely, to become parents may have queries about the safety of sex during pregnancy for them and what are common instructions for other couples too.

Okay, what is normal tends to vary widely, but you can surely depend on the fact that there might be changes in your sex life. One of the best tools is open communication to get satisfied and also for a safe sexual relationship during pregnancy. The topic can be better understood with most of the frequently asked question about sex during pregnancy.

Here are all of the queries that come to everyone’s mind without any deep thinking –

Can we have the sex during pregnancy?

If a woman is having a normal pregnancy, it is quite safe to have sex during all stages and trimesters of the pregnancy.

Oh, so now what is a "normal pregnancy" then?

It is the pregnancy with low-risk for any complications like miscarriage or pre-term labor. One should see doctor, nurse-midwife, gynecologist or healthcare provider if a pregnant woman is uncertain about whether she falls into normal pregnancy’s category or not.

(The coming section of this article can surely help, too.)

It is understood very well that just because sexual activity is allowed during pregnancy does not necessarily mean that you should have it! Many women who are carrying find that their willingness for sexual activities may fluctuate during the stages of pregnancy. In addition, many pregnant women may experience that sex becomes uneasy, as their bodies grow larger.

You and your partner should keep the doors of communication open about your sexual relationship. You can also think about some other way to satisfy your need for intimacy, such as kissing, hugging, caressing, fondling, foreplays or holding each other. You and your partner should also need to try with different positions for sex to decide those that are the most comfortable and safe.

Many pregnant women may experience that they have lost their desire and motivation for sexual activities late in the pregnancy - not only because of their size that has grown and become bigger but also because they are preoccupied with the future delivery and great feeling of becoming a new parent.

When the sex during pregnancy is not safe?

Two different types of sexual behaviors that may not be considered as safe for any pregnant woman:

1. If you are engaged in oral sex, it is to be taken care that your partner should not blow air into the vaginal tract. This is because blowing air may cause an air embolism (a blockage of a blood vessel by an air bubble) that can be very dangerous for mother and baby.

2. A pregnant woman should not have sex with a partner whom she does not know. Partner with unknown sexual history can turn into major sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, or more badly HIV. If a pregnant woman becomes infected, the disease may be transmitted to the fetus, with extremely dangerous consequences.

If your doctor, nurse-midwife, or gynecologist anticipates or reveals certain significant complications with the pregnancy, they might advise against sexual intercourse during pregnancy. Here is the list of most common risk factors:

The history or threat of miscarriage
The history of preterm delivery (in case, the woman has previously delivered a baby before 37th week) or symptoms indicating the risk of preterm labor (like premature uterine contractions).
Vaginal bleeding that is unexplained. Discharge or cramping can also be included.
The leakage of amniotic fluid (the water that surrounds the fetus).
Condition called as placenta previa in which, the placenta (the sac that supplies high nutrients to the fetus) is fixed down very low that it covers the cervix (an opening of the hollow organ uterus).
Incompetent cervix. This is the condition in which the cervix becomes weak and expands (dilates or opens) prematurely. This may raise the risk for miscarriage or premature delivery.
Multiple fetuses (if you are having more than one fetus like twins, triplets etc.)

Some common queries and concerns

Here are more frequently asked questions about sex during pregnancy.

Will it harm my baby if I do sex during pregnancy?

It cannot harm your baby directly since your baby is totally secured by the amniotic sac (a very thin-walled sac, which holds the fetus and surrounding fluid) and the strong muscles of the uterus.

Also a thick mucus plug that seals the cervix and therefore works as shield against infection. The penis never comes into contact with the fetus while performing the sexual act.

I have heard of getting miscarriage or contraction caused due to intercourse or orgasm. Is it true?

In normal cases for the low risk pregnancies, the answer is simple - no. The contractions felt by pregnant woman during and just after orgasm are very different from those of contractions linked with labor. However, you should check with your gynecologist to get an assurance that your pregnancy falls into the low-risk category. Some of the healthcare providers suggest that all women stop having sex during the last few weeks of pregnancy, just for the safety precaution. This could be because of the chemical that semen contains, which may actually stimulate contractions. Pregnant woman should check with their health care provider for the professional opinion.

During pregnancy, why do I have fluctuation (increase and decrease) in my sexual desire?

Generally, both of these possibilities are considered normal (and so is everything in between). Many pregnant women may experience that symptoms like fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, and increased frequency of urination make sexual desire too bothersome, especially during the first three months of pregnancy. Normally, symptoms like fatigue and nausea disappear during the second trimester, and some pregnant women may notice that their desire for sexual activity has increased.

In addition, some pregnant woman may feel that freedom from all the worries about contraception, augmented with a renewed sense of intimacy with their partner, turns sex more fulfilling up to satisfactory level. Sexual desire usually subsides again during the last three months of pregnancy (third trimester) as the uterus grows even bigger and the reality of what is going to happen sets in.

The desire of your partner for sex is suppose to increase or decrease as well. Some of the men come even closer to their pregnant partner and enjoy those all changes in their bodies due to pregnancy. Others men may feel decreased desire of sexual activity just because of anxiety about the burdens of forthcoming parenthood, or because of the worry about the health of both; the mother and their unborn baby.

When to see your healthcare provider?

You should see your healthcare provider if you are not sure about sex that whether is safe for you. In addition, you should call your gynecologist if you notice any unusual symptoms after sexual activity like pain, bleeding per vagina, or discharge from vagina, or if you experience contractions those are present after sex.