When the Sex During Pregnancy Is Not Safe?

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.