Sexual Intercourse While Pregnant
Questions About Making Love During Pregnancy

sexual intercourse during pregnancy

Continuing To Enjoy Healthy Relations With Your Partner.

Sexual Intercourse While Pregnant

Contents

• Is Intercourse During Pregnancy Safe?
• Basic Rules for Love Making
• Can Orgasm's Cause a Miscarriage?
• Will I Harm My Baby?
• Is My Baby Aware?
• Sexercise

Expecting A Baby
See our overview:
Pregnancy Guide

Is Sex During Pregnancy Safe?

This is usually the first question most expecting couples ask. If you are having a regular healthy pregnancy (without complications), love making is considered safe during all trimesters. However many women find that their libido takes a dive in the first trimester caused by erratic hormones, tiredness and morning sickness. Yet other women find that their sexual drive increases, again caused by the same hormone changes. Plus there is the added fun of those pregnancy breast changes and any size increase which come with it. Women who suffer in the first trimester may find their libido improves again in the second trimester when pregnancy symptoms have subsided. In fact, the experience may be better than they ever remember! Extra blood flow to the labia, clitoris and vagina can make it easier to climax, sometimes resulting in multiple orgasms. You may need to experiment with your partner to find comfortable positions as the baby grows. Nothing is straight forward when expecting, and there is no right or 'wrong' way to feel. Some women feel less loving during pregnancy and lose all appetite for love making, while others experience an increased libido throughout. Everything is normal - whatever you feel, is right.

Basic Rules for Love Making

Oral Sex: Perfectly safe, but your partner should not blow air into your vagina. This has the potential to cause an air embolism (or blockage), which can be fatal to both mother and child.

Anal Sex: Is probably safe during pregnancy, but do apply caution and avoid it if you suffer from hemorrhoids while pregnant. Also, remember never move directly from anal to vaginal sex without cleaning first. Doing so may introduce harmful bacteria into the vaginal area, risking infection to both you and baby, as well as causing vaginitis.

Can Orgasms Cause a Miscarriage?

No, not generally in normal low-risk category pregnancies. However your pregnancy team may ask you to abstain from sexual relations if you have a history of pregnancy problems, miscarriages, unexplained cramping, bleeding during pregnancy, leakage of amniotic fluid or premature labor. Also in the case of multiple fetuses (twins, triplets etc), extra care may be advised. Some women experience mild contractions after love making, but these are very different to labor contractions, and are perfectly safe. In fact studies show that couples who are sexually active during pregnancy are more likely to carry full term. Always ask your doctor if you are not sure, he may recommend that you abstain during the final weeks of pregnancy, as a safety precaution.

Can I Harm My Baby?

In normal pregnancy, intercourse is not harmful. The baby is well cushioned inside the amniotic sac and uterus. Additionally the area is securely sealed from the world by a mucous plug at the mouth of your cervix. Don’t worry, no matter what your partner may like to think, he can’t 'hit' the baby! See prenatal care guide for more advice on looking after mom and baby.

Is My Baby Aware We Are Making Love?

No, it is not possible for your baby to know. The fetus will not 'see' anything or have any recollection. In fact, your baby may even enjoy the rocking of uterine contractions during orgasm. The common experience of fetal reaction (slowed movement during intercourse, followed by furious kicking) is only a response to uterine activity.

Sexercise

Kegels exercise are exercises which tone the perineal area in preparation for childbirth. They are also supposed to be good for treating vaginal prolapse and preventing uterine prolapse. They can also help prevent an episiotomy and even prevent tears during childbirth and delivery. To 'kegel', tense the muscles around your vagina and anus for 10 seconds and release. Aim for 3 sets of 20 daily. You can even try kegels during your love making sessions.

Related Articles on Pregnancy

For more about ensuring a safe 9-months, see the following:

• Prenatal Visits - Tests, scans and Ob/Gyn advice.
• Pregnancy Tips - The Do's and Don'ts. First Time Moms Guide.
• Flu During Pregnancy - Treatment Guidelines.
• Aspirin During Pregnancy - painkillers to avoid, particularly in first trimester.

Return to Homepage: Womens Health Advice