Sex During Pregnancy
Throughout the course of your pregnancy, you
will experience a wide range of emotions and
physical changes. One change you or your partner
may encounter is an increased or decreased sex
drive. Hormones, body image, relationship issues
and prenatal health can affect your sex drive
and your ability to engage in sexual activity.
Sexual Desire
A woman’s desire for sex during pregnancy
can fluctuate month-to-month or trimester-to-trimester.
During the first trimester, fatigue, vomiting
and nausea may put a damper on sexual activity.
By the second trimester, many women regain energy
and feel more aroused due to physical changes
such as full breasts, increased vaginal lubrication
and increased blood flow to the pelvic region.
Once the third trimester arrives, fatigue and
body aches and pains may decrease your sexual
desire.
Your partner may also experience an increased
or decreased sex drive. In one respect, your
partner may be aroused by your full breasts and
round belly, trying new sex positions (to account
for your growing abdomen) and a newfound freedom
from concerns about contraception. On the other
hand, your partner may feel anxious due to a
fear of causing you discomfort, harming the fetus,
or nervousness about becoming a parent.
Communicating With Your Partner
Talk to your partner about your comfort level
regarding the amount of sex you would like
to have, the different positions you would
like to try, and where you would like to be
touched. Ask your partner about his preferences
as well.
Participating in sexual activity while pregnant
can be enjoyable, and as long as you are experiencing
a healthy or “normal” pregnancy,
sex during pregnancy does not harm your baby.
The penis does not come into contact with the
fetus during sex due to the mucus plug in your
cervix and the muscles of the uterus. In addition,
it is safe for a pregnant woman to reach orgasm.
When Sex During Pregnancy is Not Safe
Sex may not be a safe activity if your pregnancy
is considered high-risk or if other significant
complications exist. Your doctor may advise
against sex during pregnancy if you are diagnosed
as having any of the following conditions:
- Unexplained
vaginal bleeding
- The presence of symptoms
(cramping or contractions) or risk factors
(multiple pregnancy including twins, triplets
or more) that may indicate or predispose a
woman to preterm labor
- Leakage of amniotic fluid
(the fluid that surrounds the baby)
- Placenta
previa, occurs when the placenta is situated
in an area that covers the cervix
(opening of the uterus)
- Incompetent cervix, a condition in which
the cervix is weakened and opens (dilates)
prematurely,
increasing the risk for miscarriage or premature
delivery
If you are unsure whether sex during
pregnancy is safe for you, contact your
obstetrician. In addition, if you notice any
unusual
symptoms after intercourse, contact your
health care
provider
immediately. Mild cramping may follow
sexual intercourse and orgasm. This cramping
is
due to the prostaglandins (hormones that
help induce
labor) in semen and contraction of pelvic
muscles during orgasm. The cramping should
be mild
and short-lived. If cramping persists
or intensifies to regular contractions, contact
your obstetrician. It
is important to abstain from sexual activity
with a partner who has or may have a sexually
transmitted disease (STD) such as genital warts
(HPV), chlamydia, herpes or human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV). Some STDs can be transmitted to
the fetus or to the newborn at the time of
birth. Some people with an STD may show no signs
or
symptoms. Avoid having sexual intercourse with
a partner whose sexual history is unknown to
you.
Sexual Activity During the Latter
Stages of Pregnancy
During the latter half of your pregnancy, sexual
intercourse in the missionary position (woman
flat on her back) should be avoided. When flat
on your back, the enlarged pregnant uterus may
compress the blood vessels along your spine that
are returning blood to your heart. This can cause
a sudden drop in your blood pressure and a feeling
of dizziness. To maintain good blood flow to
the uterus, lie on your side
during the latter half of pregnancy.
Talk to your doctor about sexual activity during
the final weeks of your pregnancy. If you experience
vaginal bleeding or have a history of preterm
labor, your doctor may advise you to abstain
from sexual intercourse. The hormone prostaglandin
is present in semen, but not in the amount required
to induce labor. In general, sexual activity
will not trigger labor unless your body is ready.
How Soon Can I Have Sex After the
Baby is Born?
Medical opinions vary as to when you should resume
sexual activity after delivery. It is recommended
that you wait until after your postpartum checkup
before you resume intercourse.
Every woman's pregnancy is different. Talk to
your doctor, nurse or midwife regarding any concerns
you may have about your sexual activity and prenatal
health.
Editorial provided by Yu-Hsin
Wu, MD, of the
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the
University of Pennsylvania Health System.
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