Being pregnant and being sexy are not mutually exclusive. Intercourse during pregnancy can be extremely liberating – no need to worry about contraception! Moreover, it can be very exciting because of all the amazing changes that occur in the body. Sex is a natural and perfectly normal part of pregnancy, as long as there are no fetal problems, of course. Having sex during pregnancy does not cause a miscarriage, but it can enliven your sex life. The developing baby is protected by the amniotic fluids in the uterus as well as by the strong muscles of the uterus itself, so penetration will not affect the baby in any way. Sometimes, however, pregnancy may cause changes in the level of sexual comfort and desire for both partners. As your body changes, sex will also be different.
Most likely, your sex drive will decrease during the first trimester, you will be tired and nauseous, it is the second trimester that will be invigorated, and high hormone levels can increase your libido. Only in the last weeks of pregnancy, libido may drop, there will be nervousness about the upcoming date.
Aside from having sex during pregnancy for pure fun and pleasure, you’ll also notice its other benefits! Being active and burning calories to help you and your partner stay active and stay in good shape are one of them. Increased blood flow to the genitals during pregnancy means more intense orgasms. Happiness hormone boost – orgasm releases endorphins that make you feel happy and relaxed. In addition, you will bond with your partner even more – having a healthy sex life during pregnancy is a good way to maintain a close emotional relationship and increase mutual trust, which is especially important in times of so many changes in your life.
Intercourse in pregnancy until when
In fact, a woman’s sex drive can even increase at certain stages of pregnancy, and having sex during this time can bring new benefits to the body. Sex during pregnancy is absolutely safe for a woman. It is very good for your relationship if you have sex throughout your pregnancy, unless forbidden by your doctor.
Some doctors recommend that you avoid sex in the last weeks of pregnancy as the hormones in semen can stimulate contractions. In addition, in the later stages of pregnancy, do not choose positions that put pressure on the pregnant belly – the weight of the baby may put additional pressure on the internal organs or the main arteries of the woman!
A woman feels more comfortable in positions where she can control the depth and speed of penetration. Comfortable positions for a pregnant woman and her partner are mainly those in which the woman is on top of the partner, “spooned” when both of them are lying on their sides, or when the woman is sitting on the edge of the bed with the partner in front. However, to fully understand each other’s needs during this period, you need to talk openly with each other, because that’s the only way you will both enjoy sex throughout your pregnancy.
It is worth noting, however, that sex in the third trimester may not be safe. If your partner’s penis comes into contact with your cervix, or if you have contractions as a result of an orgasm, it can damage the placenta and cause bleeding that can threaten your pregnancy.
In the first trimester, there is often a much lower desire for intercourse and it is associated with raging hormones, accompanied by malaise, dizziness, nausea, breast pain, and frequent fatigue. Reluctance to have intercourse may last from several days to several weeks. In addition, many women experience vaginal dryness during the first weeks of pregnancy. Then it is worth using moisturizing gels, because they do not penetrate the body, so they do not harm the fetus.
In the second trimester, well-being improves, the body gets used to the new state. The hormones estrogen and progesterone rise – you may feel like you are constantly ovulating, so your desire for intercourse increases.
Sex becomes less attractive during the last trimester of pregnancy. The abdomen puts pressure on the bladder, making it difficult to breathe and function daily, so definitely having sex is the last thing on your mind. The closer to delivery, i.e. from around 38 weeks of pregnancy, the greater the likelihood that labor may be initiated during intercourse.
Intercourse in pregnancy forum
It is worth checking online forums about pregnancy and intercourse during this period. Thanks to the entries, questions and answers of more experienced people who are affected by this aspect of life, you can learn a lot of interesting and useful things. In addition to the basic issues related to intercourse during pregnancy, such as safety and appropriate protection, we also find information on comfortable positions, anal and oral sex, or any discomforts related to intercourse during pregnancy and how to deal with them.
Intercourse during pregnancy with or without a condom?
A sexually transmitted infection during pregnancy can cause serious health problems for both you and the fetus. Avoid all forms of sexual activity if your partner has an active or recently diagnosed sexually transmitted infection!
If you have sex with new or multiple partners, make sure you use a condom. Sexually transmitted infections can lead to potential pelvic inflammatory diseases that can lead to miscarriages and other serious health complications.
Use a condom when you are not in a monogamous relationship, have sex with a new partner, and are not completely sure about your partner’s sexual history. Remember that pregnancy does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases – such as HIV, cold sores, warts and chlamydia – all of these infections will affect you and your baby.
Many couples are concerned about the presence of a small amount of a substance in their semen, which can trigger premature labor and choose to have intermittent sex or use condoms. In many cases, however, it is unnecessary, because healthy couples and a safe pregnancy can really have sex without any problems until the end of pregnancy.
Intercourse in twin pregnancy
Multiple pregnancies are considered a “high-risk pregnancy”, so it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions. However, if multiple pregnancies are uneventful, doctors usually allow you to have sex, but only in the first half of pregnancy, but advise you to avoid nipple stimulation and choose a position on the side. In the second half of pregnancy, sex is forbidden because it could induce premature labor.
Contraindications during pregnancy
Your doctor may advise you not to have sex if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding, discharge or contractions, leaking amniotic fluid, cervix begins to open prematurely, the placenta covers the opening of the cervix partially or completely, you have had a previous premature birth, you are at risk you have had a miscarriage or have had a previous miscarriage, you are at risk of premature birth (contractions before 37 weeks gestation), you are expecting twins, triplets or other ‘multiples’.
It’s also important to remember that if your doctor has forbidden sex during pregnancy, it is not only associated with penetration, but also with orgasm and sexual arousal!
During pregnancy, some sexual behavior is not safe for any woman: if you are having oral sex, your partner cannot blow air into your vagina! There is a risk of air embolism – blockage of blood vessels by an air bubble and can be fatal to both mother and baby.
Doctors also recommend avoiding anal sex in some cases. Only if the pregnancy is normal and there is no risk of premature birth, can partners have sex as much as possible. However, it is very important that both partners observe strict hygiene, because bacteria contained in the anus, introduced into the vagina, can cause an infection of the reproductive organs. It is forbidden to introduce a penis into the vagina after anal intercourse, unless the penis has been thoroughly washed.
Unfortunately, anal sex during pregnancy is difficult, women often suffer from hemorrhoids, rectal bleeding and constipation. Often the anus is irritated and the skin is even broken. Women who experience anal discomfort should refrain from anal sex. But don’t worry! If anal sex is not recommended for you, you can use other forms of intercourse, such as petting, mutual masturbation or oral sex.
If your contractions last more than an hour after reaching orgasm, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. In women after 37 weeks of pregnancy, this may even mean premature birth. However, contractions of shorter duration and intense orgasms that are stronger at this stage than at any other time in life are normal.