Parents-to-be often wonder if it is safe to have sex during pregnancy and whether it will affect the baby’s health in any way. Several would-be mothers also grapple with hormonal changes, fatigue, and self-consciousness about the change in their appearance that can have an effect on their libido. This article should help you with all the necessary information you need about having sex during pregnancy. We shall also touch upon other aspects of the topic and answer some frequently asked questions. Read on to know more.
If you have a healthy and normal pregnancy, it is absolutely safe to have sex right up until the last trimester. Having sex during pregnancy is good for both your body and your relationship. Studies have even shown that pregnant women who have sex regularly are less likely to have preterm deliveries.
However, if your doctor has mentioned that you have a high-risk pregnancy or suggested that sex should be avoided due to certain health conditions, it is better to abide by the doctor’s advice and abstain from sex.
If you are wondering when a pregnant woman should stop having sex, here are some situations when your doctor may advise you to avoid sex during pregnancy:
Pregnancy can drastically affect your sex life. Your sex drive can increase or decrease throughout the pregnancy due to various hormonal changes in the body. Many women may experience a lower sex drive due to hormonal fluctuations, and self-consciousness about their appearance. However, there are pregnant women who also report an increase in libido.
The hormonal fluctuations in each trimester affect sex drive in women differently. Let’s discuss what it’s like in each trimester.
During the first trimester, women are affected by morning sickness, mood swings, fatigue, tender breasts, and the urge to urinate frequently. All these, along with hormonal changes, can cause a decrease in libido.
Many women report an increased desire to have sex during pregnancy’s 2nd trimester. Morning sickness and other discomforts of the first trimester usually disappear in the second trimester. The pregnant belly is still small enough, so you can have sex comfortably. Women have an increased blood volume during pregnancy, and this leads to increased blood circulation in the pelvic region and engorgement of the vagina. This may heighten sensation in that region and help women orgasm more easily.
A lot of women report a decrease in libido when they have sex during pregnancy’s 3rd trimester. This is because many sex positions may feel uncomfortable, as the belly gets bigger. You may also feel less interested in sex as you are anxious about the childbirth and motherhood as you approach the due date. These feelings are completely normal, and it is not uncommon for women to abstain from sex in the last trimester.
The women who have a healthy pregnancy may also want to know if there are any benefits in having sex during pregnancy. Well, yes. There are some benefits of having sex during pregnancy. Let’s find out what they are.
Sex during a normal and healthy pregnancy can be beneficial for both the mother-to-be and the baby. Here are some benefits of having sex during pregnancy:
Although women with healthy pregnancies can benefit from having sex during the term, some of them might experience problems during or after intercourse. You must be aware of the possible issues your changing body might go through if you do have the desire to have sex with your partner to avoid pregnancy-related complications or get them treated immediately.
In some cases, women could experience health problems while having sex during pregnancy. It is advisable that they do not proceed and contact a doctor right away if. Some side effects of sex during pregnancy that women may experience include bleeding or spotting, increased foetal activity, and uterine contractions. Light bleeding or spotting and mild cramps after sex are quite common. However, You may want to approach a sex therapist if you have any of these problems during and after sex during pregnancy:
You must be wondering if there is a way to have sex safely during pregnancy. Let’s find out!
If the physical restriction is not an issue, you must ensure you avoid the following things to have safe sex during pregnancy. They will keep you and your baby safe from infections which could lead to complications in the pregnancy.
When you are ready to take all the necessary precautions, you may try these positions when having intercourse during pregnancy.
Here are some safe and comfortable sex positions that you can try during pregnancy.
Oral sex is absolutely safe to have during pregnancy. As mentioned earlier, ensure your partner does not blow air into the vagina. This may cause a condition called an air embolism, which can be dangerous for you and your baby’s health. Also, avoid oral sex with a partner who has an STD.
Having sex is not always recommended during pregnancy. It completely depends on the pregnancy health. But, there are other ways you can enjoy intimacy during pregnancy.
If you are not interested in having sex, or you cannot have sex because of the health of your pregnancy, you may try some of the ideas given below to get intimate with your partner.
Having sex has not been conclusively linked to triggering labour in any scientific study. However, there is a reason it may trigger labour in the last trimester. Semen contains prostaglandins that soften the cervix. Also, an orgasm can cause the release of the hormone oxytocin, which induces labour.
Your pregnancy may affect your partner’s sex drive for various reasons. These include anxiety about having sex in the presence of the unborn child, concerns about you and the baby’s health, and worry that sex might hurt the unborn baby. It is best to communicate openly with each other and consult an expert for any concerns you both may have about sex during pregnancy.
There is no evidence that sex during the first trimester causes miscarriage. Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester, but are caused due to chromosomal abnormalities in the foetus and not because of sex.
Sex is completely safe during pregnancy and can be beneficial for the mother and the baby in the case of a healthy pregnancy. However, it is best to consult an expert if you have a difficult or high-risk pregnancy. You can have a satisfying sex life when you are pregnant if you communicate honestly with your partner about your likes and dislikes. Use the tips in this article to make your sex life more fulfilling during pregnancy.
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