Sex during pregnancy

Sex during pregnancy

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you have probably found a great deal of information about sex before pregnancy (i.e., sex to conceive) and sex after childbirth (the general consensus is that it is expected to have less sexual activity with the presence of a newborn in the home).

But there is not much talk about the issue of sex during pregnancy. Perhaps this is due to a cultural tendency not to associate pregnant mothers with sexuality. Like many future parents, you may have questions about the safety of sex and what is normal for most couples.

Actually, what is considered normal can vary widely, but you can be sure of one thing: there will be changes in your sex life. Open communication will be the key to achieving a safe and satisfactory sexual relationship during pregnancy.

Is it safe to have sex during pregnancy?
Sex is considered safe at all stages of a normal pregnancy.

So what is a "normal pregnancy"? It is one that is considered with low risks of complications, such as spontaneous abortions or premature delivery. Talk to your doctor, midwife or other health care provider if you are not sure if you fall into this category.

Of course, the fact that it is safe to have sex during pregnancy does not necessarily mean that you will want to have sex. Many pregnant mothers notice that their desire to have sex changes during some stages of pregnancy. In addition, many women feel that sex becomes uncomfortable as their body grows.

You and your partner should talk openly about your sexual relationship. Talk about other ways to satisfy your need for intimacy, such as kissing, caressing or hugging. You may need to experiment with other sex positions to find the ones that are most comfortable for you.

Many women discover that they lose the desire and motivation to have sexual relations in the last stage of pregnancy, not only because of their size but because they are worried about the imminent birth and the emotion of being mothers.
When it is not safe
Here are some sexual behaviors that are not safe for any pregnant woman:

If you have oral sex, your partner should not blow into your vagina. Blowing air can cause an embolism (an obstruction of a blood vessel due to the presence of an air bubble) and this can put the life of the mother and the baby at risk.
You should not have sex with a partner who does not know your sexual history or who may have a sexually transmitted disease, such as herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, or HIV. If you get infected, you can spread the disease to your baby and the results could be dangerous.
Health care providers also recommend avoiding anal sex during pregnancy.
If the health care provider detects or expects significant complications during your pregnancy, you may be told not to have sex. Talk to your health care provider if you have the following characteristics:

a history or threat of miscarriage
a history of premature delivery (you already had a child before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or signs that indicate a risk of premature delivery (such as premature uterine contractures)
bleeding, discharge or vaginal cramps without explanation
loss of amniotic fluid (the fluid surrounding the baby)
placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta (a blood-rich structure that feeds the baby) is so low that it covers the cervix (the opening of the uterus)
insufficiency of the cervix, a condition in which the cervix is ​​weakened and dilates (opens) prematurely, which raises the risk of a miscarriage or premature delivery
various fetuses (twins, triplets, etc.)
Common Questions and Concerns
These are some of the most frequently asked questions about sex during pregnancy.

Can sex hurt my baby?
No. Your baby is fully protected by the amniotic bag (a thin-walled bag that contains the fetus and fluid around it) and the strong muscles of the uterus. There is also a thick mucus plug that seals the cervix and helps prevent infections. The penis does not come into contact with the fetus during sexual intercourse.

Can sexual intercourse or orgasm cause contractions or a miscarriage?
In the case of normal, low-risk pregnancies, the answer is "no." The contractions you may feel during orgasm or immediately after it are totally different from the contractions associated with labor. However, you should check with your health care provider to make sure your pregnancy falls into the category of low-risk pregnancies.

Health care providers also recommend that all women stop having sex in the final weeks of pregnancy, simply as a precaution, because semen contains a chemical that can stimulate contractions. Check with your health care provider to find out what you think is convenient.

Is it normal for my sex drive to increase or decrease during pregnancy?
Actually, the two possibilities are normal (and any option between these two). Many pregnant women feel that some symptoms, such as fatigue (extreme tiredness), nausea, pain in the breasts and a greater need to pee, do not allow them to enjoy sex so much, especially during the first trimester. In general, these symptoms are relieved during the second trimester and some women find that the desire to have sex increases. In addition, some women discover that not having to worry about birth control and a renewed closeness with their partner make sex more pleasant. The desire usually decreases again during the third trimester of pregnancy, as the uterus grows and enlarges even more, and the reality of what is about to occur is installed.

It is likely that your partner's desire to have sex also increases or decreases. Some feel even closer to their pregnant partner and enjoy the changes in their body. Others may have fewer desires due to the anxiety of paternity weight or due to health concerns, both of the mother and the unborn child.

Your partner may find it difficult to accept your identity as a sexual partner now that you have a new (increasingly visible) identity of a pregnant mother. Again, remember that communication with your partner can be a great help in dealing with these problems.
When to call the doctor
Contact your health care provider if you are not sure if sex is safe in your case. Also, call it if you have unusual symptoms after having sex, such as pain, bleeding or loss, or if you have contractions that seem to continue after sex.

Remember that "normal" is a relative term when it comes to sex during pregnancy. You and your partner need to talk about what's right for both of you