Yes! It is perfectly safe for you to have sex during pregnancy unless your doctor tells you differently.
Sexual activity will not harm your child. A penis or penetrative sex toy cannot get past your cervix, and the baby has no way of knowing what’s going on.
During pregnancy, though, it’s normal for your sex drive to change. While this isn’t a cause for concern, it’s a good idea to talk to your partner about it.
You may find having sex during pregnancy to be incredibly delightful, or you may simply not want to. You can find other ways to love or make love. The most crucial thing is to talk to your partner about your feelings.1
Sex during pregnancy is safe or not?
Having sex during pregnancy is natural and normal if you’re having a healthy pregnancy. The movement of penetration and intercourse will not hurt the baby, who is protected by your abdomen and the muscular walls of the uterus. The fluid in the amniotic sac also protects your baby.
Some people believe that sexual activity or orgasms can harm the baby, cause a threatened miscarriage, or cause labour to start too soon. However, none of these is true in a healthy pregnancy.
Does sex cause labour?
Contrary to popular belief, orgasmic contractions are not the same as labour contractions. Nonetheless, some doctors advise avoiding sex in the later weeks of pregnancy as a general precaution, believing that hormones in sperm called prostaglandins can induce contractions.
One possible exemption is for women who have passed their due date and want to induce labour. Because the gel used to “ripen” the cervix and induce labour also includes prostaglandins, some doctors believe that prostaglandins in semen actually induce labour in a full-term or past-due pregnancy.
Other doctors, however, believe that the link between sperm and labour is simply a theory and that having sex while pregnancy does not cause labour.2
Braxton Hicks contractions can however be triggered by orgasm or sexual penetration late in pregnancy. Braxton Hicks are light contractions that some women feel as their pregnancy progresses. However, because these contractions do not indicate or induce labour, they are not a cause for concern.3
Is daily sex good for pregnancy, and how often should a pregnant woman have sex?
Right now, relish knowing that sex during pregnancy isn’t just safe, but it is probably good for you. So, as long as it is comfortable to have sex; you can go for it.
Women who experience orgasms during pregnancy will benefit from calming hormones and increased cardiovascular blood flow, which can be passed on to the baby.
The second trimester is usually the best time. You’ve passed the worst of your morning sickness and are just coming into your curves. A growing belly can make sex more awkward in the third trimester. All sex is good sex! as long as it is pleasurable and consensual for you.
During pregnancy, you may feel erotic, sensual, or completely disinterested in having sex. However, don’t have the misconception that it is difficult to remain sexually active during pregnancy.
Due to changes in pregnancy, your cervix and vaginal mucosa are sensitive and can get irritated easily, causing bleeding after sex during pregnancy. You might notice spotting after sex when you wipe, possibly the next day.
Frequent spotting on and off, especially over days or weeks, may need to be investigated. It may be a simple mucosal injury but may also be a sign of placenta previa. If you experience any other symptoms during early pregnancy, such as sharp waves of pain, rectal pressure, or irregular bleeding, you may have an ectopic pregnancy, both of which need medical attention. Talk to your doctor and ask for ideas to reduce any irritation (such as controlling the depth of penetration).
There is an increased blood flow that happens during pregnancy. Additionally, that blood engorges the tissues of the vulva, vagina, clitoris, and pelvis, which causes a burning sensation after sex during pregnancy. Depending on the individual, it can feel either pleasurable, irritating or somewhere in between. But if you have an increased burning sensation, please talk to your doctor.4
Is sperm/semen good for the baby while pregnant?
Sperm/semen is usually considered safe for a pregnant woman and the baby. However, you should talk to your doctor if you have any questions about your overall safety because of any risk factors related to pregnancy.
In addition to being safe, semen contact before and during pregnancy may also have some advantages:
- Semen and vaginal sex can help induce labour. Oxytocin, one of the main hormones involved in progressing labour, is released during sex, and orgasms resemble contractions. Prostaglandins in semen can also help in ripening the cervix. But you need to worry, as having sex during pregnancy won’t cause early labour in low-risk pregnancies.’
- Pregnant women who have sex often experience mood boosts and increased cardiovascular blood flow, which can pass on to the baby.
- One recent study found that pre-pregnancy exposure to a specific man’s semen (like a long-term partner) was related to a decreased risk of preeclampsia in first-time mothers.
If you choose to have sex during pregnancy, it’s important to remember that STIs can still be transmitted and also follow the necessary precautions. So, even though you don’t have a risk of getting pregnant, you should avoid having sex during pregnancy without a condom.
Protection from infection is important, especially during pregnancy, as pelvic inflammation can result in early labour, miscarriage, or other health complications for both mom and baby.5
What should I do during pregnancy for sex?
Here are some of the precautions and preventive measures to take for sex during pregnancy:
- Always use protection – Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs can be passed on to your unborn child while having sex during pregnancy. Therefore, it is essential to only engage in safe sex and always use condoms. You should avoid having sex with partners with sexual history unknown to you to reduce the risk of STIs.
- Be careful while having oral sex – It is perfectly okay to have oral sex during pregnancy. But, a partner should avoid blowing air into the pregnant woman’s vagina as it can result in an air embolism, in which an air bubble blocks a blood vessel. Though rare, air embolism can be life-threatening for both the baby and the mother.
- Avoid trying strenuous positions – Due to the anatomical changes in your body, it can be uncomfortable for you to try a few sex positions. You should try alternative and safe sex positions. For instance, instead of the woman lying at the bottom, try having sex side by side.
- It is better to avoid anal sex – Anal sex will not harm your baby, but it can be uncomfortable if you have pregnancy-related hemorrhoids. You should avoid having anal sex after vaginal sex as it can increase the risk of bacteria spreading from the rectum to the vagina, causing an infection.6
Can sex cause a miscarriage?
Sex during pregnancy does not lead to a miscarriage. Miscarriages usually happen due to the inherent nature of the pregnancy such as a fetus that is not developing normally. A 2011 study also came to the conclusion that sex during pregnancy does not induce early labour in low-risk pregnancies.
In fact, having sex may help with labour. Some couples have sex right up until the woman goes into labour. Unless there is a medical reason or one or both partners are not interested, they are free to do anything they choose.
However, if you’re having sex with new or multiple partners, use a condom until you are absolutely sure of their STI status. Sexually transmitted infections can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which causes early labour, miscarriage, and other severe health problems.7
When is the best time to have sex when pregnant?
Here is the common pattern of libido during your pregnancy:
During the first trimester, you might experience symptoms like nausea, fatigue or breast tenderness may kill your sex drive, and you might not want to have sex during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
During the second trimester, your libido may increase dramatically. An increased blood flow throughout your body might enhance your orgasms.
You might feel uncomfortable having sex during your third semester as birth approaches.
Tell your partner about what you are feeling and what works for you. You might need to experiment with several positions, especially later in your pregnancy, and find one that is exciting and comfortable. If something does not feel right for you or your partner, change what you are doing and talk to your doctor if you have any physical problems.8
What positions should be avoided during pregnancy?
When it comes to pregnancy sex, avoid postures that put pressure and weight on the belly. These are most likely comfortable for both you and your partner.
Stick with positions that will maintain your back straight as well. It helps to avoid potential blood flow compression, which can cause dizziness and other problems.
Invest in sex pillows, lube, and sex toys for extra comfort. You can even use your pregnancy pillow for support. Penetration isn’t necessary for maximum pleasure in sex. Instead, focus on stimulation with toys or your fingers.9
When to avoid sex in pregnancy?
Uterine contractions can be caused by breast stimulation, female orgasms, and specific hormones found in semen called prostaglandins.
In the following situations, your doctor may advise you to refrain from sex as there could be some negative effects of sex during pregnancy:
- You’re experiencing unexplained vaginal bleeding
- You have amniotic fluid leakage
- Your cervix starts to open prematurely (cervical incompetence)
- Your placenta covers your cervical opening partially or entirely (placenta previa)
- You have a history of premature delivery or preterm labour 10
If your doctor says “no sex during pregnancy,” keep in mind that this could be anything that involves orgasm or sexual arousal, not simply intercourse. Discuss it so that you understand what they mean.
If you experience odd symptoms during or after sex, such as pain, bleeding, fluid or discharge, considerable discomfort, or contractions, contact your doctor.12
Note that it is critical for you to safeguard yourself and your baby from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This implies utilising barrier contraception such as condoms or dental dams during all sexual activity.12
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