Sex During Pregnancy – Benefits and Restrictions

Every woman, upon learning that she will soon become a mother, among other things, looks for an answer to the important question of how long into pregnancy she can have sex. The onset of a desired pregnancy always comes unexpectedly, even if the wait lasted for more than a year and all conceivable and inconceivable efforts were made for it to happen. 

Understanding that life will never be the same again, expectant mothers still try to maintain their usual rhythm and natural schedule for as long as possible. Therefore, the question of whether sex during pregnancy is beneficial or harmful should be discussed with a gynecologist. It is advisable to consult them as soon as possible to ensure there are no contraindications, especially in the early stages of pregnancy, to avoid harming the developing fetus and the woman’s health.

Is it safe to have sex during pregnancy

Is sex during pregnancy possible? Many researchers have addressed this question and have come to a definitive conclusion that engaging in sex during pregnancy is not only not harmful but also beneficial. If the expectant mother is feeling well and the pregnancy is progressing without complications, specialists consider it completely pointless to forgo this pleasure and such an important aspect of married life. 

They are almost unanimous in their opinion that engaging in lovemaking during pregnancy provides undeniable benefits for both the mother and the baby because:

• uterine contractions during orgasm act as a kind of massage for the baby, preparing for future childbirth;
• the ‘happiness hormones’ produced by the mother are transmitted to the baby through the blood;
• it helps the pregnant woman to get rid of constipation;
• semen enriches the uterine walls with beneficial substances, making them more elastic, which is important during childbirth.

Changes in Desire by Trimester

Sexual desire, which is the main trigger for marital intimacy, undergoes changes throughout the pregnancy term. The strength of the desire to have sex during pregnancy changes unpredictably and individually for each woman. Largely obeying hormonal changes, it can either diminish or increase. Female libido during the childbearing period resembles a parabola, with the lowest values in the first and third trimesters and significantly increased values in the second. 

It is not uncommon for increased sexual desire to persist throughout the entire pregnancy. Moreover, it is during this period that sex becomes especially vivid for a woman thanks to the physiological changes occurring in her body.

First Trimester

When examining changes in the sexual desire of women expecting a child, researchers note the natural decline in such interest during pregnancy. This decrease can be minor or quite significant, possibly resulting in a complete cessation of physical intimacy. This situation is explained by the onset of physiological processes that prepare the body for the nine-month marathon, which requires significant energy. 

In the first trimester, the decrease in desire is associated with the common occurrence of morning sickness in early pregnancy, which leads to a deterioration in general well-being, dizziness, and weakness. The beginning of hormonal changes also results in sudden mood swings and the expression of negative emotions, which inhibit the emergence of sexual desire.

Second Trimester

Mid-pregnancy, the second trimester, is often considered a “honeymoon” or “golden” period of pregnancy for a good reason. During this stage, fears associated with the possibility of losing the developing fetus subside, and symptoms of toxicosis are virtually non-existent. A woman becomes accustomed to the internal and external changes happening in her body, becoming less anxious and more relaxed. 

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The necessary break, sexual abstinence, is replaced by hypersexuality and increased sexual activity, leading to an increase in quantity and improvement in the quality of sex during pregnancy. Birth is still a while away, the belly isn’t too large to restrict movement, allowing many fantasies to be realized – this realization enhances the sexuality of a pregnant woman.

Third trimester

Compared to earlier, in the third trimester, women may experience a sharp decline in interest in having sex during pregnancy. This is due to the particularly pronounced “nesting syndrome” during this period. At this time, all the future mother’s thoughts are focused on the imminent arrival of a new family member and directed towards preparing the home for the future child. 

Currently, the woman is wholly occupied with questions about how childbirth will proceed, where to place the crib, and which stroller to choose, and sex during pregnancy takes a back seat during this time. However, this is not always the case, and in some situations, such a significant decrease in sexual desire does not occur, and sexual life remains quite full almost up to delivery.

What kind of sex is possible during pregnancy

If the doctor does not prohibit sexual intercourse and the woman’s condition allows it, this does not mean there are no restrictions on techniques and positions that spouses may use. The woman should still determine what kind of sex is permissible during pregnancy at her stage and adhere to the recommendations of her gynecologist. Regarding the variety of sexual life, both regular intercourse and oral caresses are possible during this period. 

However, the man should be absolutely sure that he is not a carrier of any viruses or infections. In addition, it is important to bring as much love and tenderness as possible into lovemaking, even if the future parents usually prefer rougher sex in normal times. Special attention should be paid to the choice of sexual positions during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester.

Positions for Making Love During Pregnancy

Sex during pregnancy in the first trimester is not much different from the “pre-pregnancy” period. However, the second and third trimesters require the couple to consider the actively growing belly. For example, experts recommend completely avoiding positions where the woman lies on her back from the 12th-13th week. This is because it can cause dizziness, weakness, and nausea due to impaired blood circulation as the heavier uterus can compress blood vessels. 

Conversely, doctors suggest certain positions that are comfortable and safe during the second and third trimesters. These include positions:

• knee-elbow – partner is on all fours, partner is behind;
• “spoons” – the woman lies on her side with her back to the man;
• “cowgirl” – the woman is on top, and the partner sits or lies down;
• the woman either lies back on the man or sits on his legs.

When to refrain from intimacy

According to specialists, the myth that sexual activity during pregnancy can harm the mother and child is completely unfounded. If the pregnancy is progressing normally, the expectant mother is feeling well, and both she and her partner have a desire for physical intimacy, abstaining from sex during pregnancy is entirely unnecessary. 

Among the reasons why sex is not allowed during pregnancy are the earliest stages of pregnancy, carrying two or more fetuses, or discovered:

• the threat of miscarriage;
• bloody discharge;
• leakage of amniotic fluid;
• placenta located too close to the cervix;
• a cervix that is too short;
• presence of infection in one of the partners.

Experienced gynecologists advise abstaining from sex during pregnancy a couple of weeks before the expected delivery to prevent orgasm from triggering premature contractions.