Can I Have Sex While Pregnant?

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When everyone is in the mood, a good round or two of pregnancy sex is great for bonding and your relationship. It will help with the emotional wellbeing of both parties. Although you may need to stop occasionally while pregnant, sex during pregnancy is beneficial now and after baby arrives. It can be just as good as before you are expecting, especially if you choose the right positions.

Sex During Pregnancy?

Many moms and dads stop to ask if sex while being pregnant is safe. Their biggest concern is harming the unborn baby. Generally speaking, sex is safe during a routine, healthy pregnancy. It is perfectly acceptable all the way until mom’s water breaks.

With this said, there is no expectation or requirement that you have sex. Many women find that their sexual appetite has changed after getting pregnant, and who can fault them for that? Pregnancy is the ultimate result of sex and mom gets to deal with it, for better and worse. Between raging hormones, new emotions, and lovely stuff like nausea/vomiting/body aches/etc., sometimes mom just wants a break.

The important part of the decision to have sex or not have it is communication and setting the right expectations. Talk to your partner and discuss what each is feeling and expecting. A balanced approach is best here. Both sides have needs in this relationship. Sometimes dad just needs to chill out and sometimes mom needs to take one for the team. Always expecting yes or no is not helpful to the relationship.

Is It Safe To Have Sex While Pregnant?

Yes, sex is perfectly safe while pregnant, no matter who is on top. Whether it is a penis or a toy, nothing will penetrate further than the vagina. Baby isn’t going to get bopped by anything.

Baby is surrounded and protected by a large capsule filled with fluid called the amniotic sac. There is also a wall of muscle around the sac made by the uterus. The entrance to this sac is blocked by a mucus plug that fills the cervix and helps to prevent infection.

Just because you are pregnant doesn’t mean you still can’t get a little freaky from time to time. Many other forms of sex are safe as well. Oral, anal, and toys are all OK with some precautions first.

Orgasms during pregnancy may be a new experience that might catch you off-guard. Later in pregnancy, orgasms may trigger contractions. These are called Braxton Hicks contractions and may become more common in the third trimester. They are a false contraction and do not mean that baby is on the way. Ideally, they should pass after a few minutes of rest.

If they don’t or are accompanied by bleeding or leaking fluid, call your doctor or head to the hospital right away.

When Should I Not Have Sex While Pregnant?

Your doctor may discourage or advise you not to have sex during your pregnancy under these circumstances-

Bleeding during pregnancy
Heightened risk of miscarriage
History of premature births or cervical weakness
Placenta praevia
Water has broken
Twins/triplets/more
You or your partner have a sexually transmitted disease/infection (STD/STI)

This list of circumstances is not all-encompassing and your doctor may have a reason that is not on this list. You should also practice safe sex if you or your partner are having sex with other people. If you have a new partner while pregnant, have a conversation about condom use and STDs.

Is Sex Good During Pregnancy?

The answer to that depends on the person. It’s as good or even better for some. It’s not as good for others. Some women become insatiable while pregnant and enjoy it much more. Other are almost repulsed by the idea of having sex at a time like that. Some simply don’t get turned on or can’t reach orgasm while pregnant.

Pregnancy increases the amount of blood flowing through the pelvic area and can lead to heightened sensations and increased sensitivity. Pregnant women may find themselves climaxing more easily or even have multiple orgasms.

Along with the change in blood flow, hormones affect lubrication. Some women get much wetter and some are drier in general. You may notice that you have no problems with lubrication or you may find that sex is almost impossible without a lubricant. If you decide to use a personal lubricant, be sure to stick with a water or silicone-based one.

As your belly gets bigger and your pregnancy moves along, your usual positions may become more difficult or uncomfortable. This may be a chance to try new positions or new things like more foreplay, oral, masturbation, or sex toys.

What If I Have No Sex Drive During Pregnancy?

Un/fortunately, this is completely normal. Your body is undergoing lots of changes that affect your sex drive, not to mention all the pending life changes. It can be a lack of energy causing it or not feeling good, such as with morning sickness.

First trimester symptoms like sore breasts, body aches, and mood swings don’t help in that department either. That’s in addition to all the hormonal changes going on.

Without surprise, all this takes a toll on your mind. If your pregnancy is a happy one and you welcome the changes to your body, you may be more likely to feel like having sex. However, if this pregnancy is unwelcome or making you insecure in some way, that too is going to reflect somewhere in your life. Becoming a new parent is a clash of feelings and sometimes your sexual expression doesn’t match your thoughts and feelings as a parent.

Sex drive can also start slowing down as your pregnancy progresses. The third trimester can bring about a low sex drive. This is not an uncommon experience with couples.

In the end, everyone is different and how you feel is how you feel. There is nothing wrong with this. Even if 99 other people felt differently, this may be how you feel. Your body, your rules.

Will My Partner Enjoy Pregnancy Sex?

Men tend to have higher levels of desire throughout pregnancy compared to pregnant women. It may drop a little in the third trimester, but this doesn’t mean that he no longer desires you. It’s usually the opposite. Many men want sex as much as ever during pregnancy and are usually happy with the relationship.

If your partner is showing a decrease in desire, try talking to them about it. It may be due to fears such as-

Concerns about being a parent soon
Concern about hurting the baby
Worries about the health of mom or the baby

Which Sex Positions Are Best During Pregnancy?

Any sex position is probably going to be alright in someone’s book. It is sex, after all. However, some positions may become uncomfortable as your pregnancy progresses. If you find yourself not enjoying sex as much as you think you should, maybe it’s time to try some new positions.