Pregnancy is a blessing to every woman who wishes to be a mother. Pregnancy on its own is a marvelous journey where you face many changes in your body as well as in your mental health. It is usual for pregnant women to have many questions about their constantly changing bodies as well as the new life they are carrying inside. Almost every expectant mother gets a clear-cut doubt about whether it’s safe to have sex during pregnancy. The sexual life of every mother-to-be is vastly different from one person to another, and it is perfectly alright. Your sexual needs may skyrocket or hit rock bottom during pregnancy, and feeling either is natural for a woman who is having a normal and healthy pregnancy.
A common misconception is that having sex during pregnancy will harm or abort the growing fetus inside the uterus. It is also commonly believed that having sex during pregnancy will penetrate the baby inside; however, it is not possible scientifically, as nothing can penetrate beyond your vagina. And no, being active in your sex life while pregnant will not cause you to go into early labor.
Having sex is perfectly fine in a normal healthy pregnancy. Yet, if your doctor or other medical professionals advise you not to engage in sexual acts during pregnancy, it is better that you adhere to the advice to the advice.
When to stop having sex during pregnancy?
Even though it is normal and alright to have intercourse in a healthy pregnancy, in some cases, it is better to avoid sex altogether. Sometimes, when compared to a normal pregnancy, certain cases of pregnancy are complicated for both mother and the baby. Your doctor or midwife will advise you not to engage in intercourse due to the following reasons.
● If you have heavy bleeding and unexplained bleeding during pregnancy.
● If you have placenta previa, placenta previa is a condition where the placenta covers the cervix. Sex should be avoided to prevent pregnant mothers from having heavy bleeding as well as infections.
● If you have leaking amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is the fluid that surrounds the baby in the womb until its birth. However, some pregnant mothers may have a leaking amniotic fluid; in these cases, it is advised to avoid sex.
● If your waters have broken, it is best to avoid intercourse in order to prevent possible infections.
● If you are having twins.
● If you have a history of having early labor.
● If you are in the later stages of pregnancy, it is advised to avoid having intercourse.
The health and safety of the expectant mother and the baby come first. So, if you are having any of the above, avoiding intercourse is the best option to have a healthy pregnancy.
Having sex is a sensitive topic for many in the first case, and having intercourse while pregnant could be extra sensitive for some expectant mothers. If you are considering having sex during your pregnancy, it is ideal to clear out doubts, fears, and anxieties away by communicating with your partner first.
What to do before you have sex during pregnancy?
Communication matters
Communication is the key to a good relationship, and that stands true for your sex life as well. Having intercourse while pregnant may be elating for some women, and for others, it will be a piney pit. It is perfectly fine to listen to your body as well as to communicate your needs with your partner. It is important to pay extra attention to your mood and emotions as well and to let your partner know of your preferences when it comes to intercourse during sex. Communication will keep the pregnant mother stress-free, which is very important for a healthy pregnancy.
Get to know your body
Pregnancy consists of three trimesters, and in each trimester, a woman’s sex drive may fluctuate. While the first trimester of pregnancy will leave the mothers with nausea, vomiting, tender breasts, and fatigue, the second trimester might ease them from the added discomforts. The third trimester of the pregnancy is the last couple of months of your pregnancy, and it may be hard for you to move around with the growing baby bump. So, it is important for you to get to know your body while it is adapting to the new life growing inside you.
Some positions are tricky
Experimenting with different positions is fun and adventurous for anyone, yet during pregnancy, it is best to avoid certain sex positions for the safety of the mother and the baby. Positions such as the missionary position are recommended to be avoided during the third trimester. Instead, you can try other safe positions, such as laying your side for a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Know about Oral / Anal sex
It is safe to conduct both activities during pregnancy, but blowing air into the woman’s vagina must be avoided during pregnancy as it could cause an air embolism. Air embolism occurs when an air bubble gets stuck in a blood vessel. Blowing air into the vagina may cause this condition, which could be deadly for both mother and the baby. Anal sex is perfectly fine as long as the mother is comfortable. However, switching from anal sex to vaginal sex should be avoided to prevent bacterial infections in the vagina.
STI protection is important
STIs are still a concern for a pregnant woman if she has multiple partners or if she is not in a monogamous relationship. In cases such as this, always remember to use protection such as condoms to avoid getting STIs. STIs can affect the baby’s growth inside, too, so be extra protective for the safety of the baby.
Having sex during pregnancy is always a choice. Pregnancy is not always rainbows and sunshine, and at certain points, it can be overwhelming both physically and mentally. Some women may find it hard to have sex during pregnancy. if you are not comfortable with having sex at all, then it’s completely alright. You can still find ways to be loveable and affectionate with your partner to maintain physical intimacy during pregnancy. For expectant mothers who are alright with being sexually active and wonder if it is safe to have sex during their pregnancy, it is best to know about you and your safety before engaging in sex for a safe and healthy pregnancy.
