 |
| • |
Sex is safe during pregnancy |
| • |
Contractions can’t hurt your baby |
| • |
The penis won’t hurt your baby |
| • |
Libido may be higher in your second trimester, but lower in the first and/or third trimester |
| • |
Get creative (so you’re comfortable) with different positions during sex |
| • |
Sex close to your due date may help induce labor |
| • |
Don’t have sex if you’ve had vaginal bleeding or if your water has broken |
|
|
|
For the full article, read more...
You want it. You don’t want it.
And then there are the times when you want it, but your husband is hesitant. Or when your husband is ready, you feel like a moody beached whale. Or you just don’t know how it will be physically possible.
We’re talking about sex during pregnancy. We’ve been there and we know you probably have tons of questions. Hopefully, we can help:
Is having sex during pregnancy safe for the baby?
As long as your pregnancy is considered normal (see below for what constitutes a normal pregnancy), sex is safe for both you – and your baby – throughout your pregnancy. That little guy (or gal) is protected by your amniotic sac (which is filled with all that buoyant amniotic fluid) which is within your uterus. Plus the mucus plug seals your cervix, so you have an extra ‘layer’ of protection.
Remember that most miscarriages occur because the embryo isn’t viable, not because of sexual activity (or stress or exercise, for that matter).
One time NOT to have sex is after your water has broken. You don’t want to introduce anything into your baby’s sterile environment. (By the way, if you happen to be in the mood for sex after your water has broken, please tell us about it on The Cradle Message Boards. We’d love to hear about these situations!)
How do I know my pregnancy is normal?
Your pregnancy is likely a ‘normal’ one unless:
• Your doctor has told you that you have a high-risk pregnancy
• You have a history of miscarriage or pre-term labor (delivering before 37 weeks)
• You have placenta previa (where the placenta covers part or all of the cervix)
• You have a weakened cervix
• You’re expecting multiples
• You’ve had vaginal bleeding
• You’ve leaked amniotic fluid
If you’re still not sure, ask your doctor or health care practitioner.
During and after an orgasm, I can feel contractions – can these hurt the baby?
These contractions aren’t related to labor contractions, and no, they can’t hurt the baby. However, if these contractions are painful, or if they persist after intercourse, contact your health care provider. (If you ever experience 5 or more contractions an hour, call your doctor.)
Are there any other times that I should speak to my doctor?
If during or after sex you experience any kind of pain, bleeding, or abnormal discharge, you should speak with your health care provider.
I’m in my first trimester, and I’m not really in the mood for sex. Why not?
Your body is going through a ton of changes right now – including an influx of hormones that are likely wreaking havoc on a number of things... including your libido. Mix that in with possible morning sickness, and the feeling that you could nap at any time and – voila! You’ve got the perfect recipe for the exact opposite of desire.
Will my desire return?
There’s a reason the second trimester is often called 'the honeymoon period.' Not only are you finally looking pregnant (instead of just possibly feeling fat!), but your morning sickness may have passed, and you might start noticing that that increased blood flow needed to deliver nutrients to your baby is also flowing down south, if you know what we mean.
For some pregnant women, their libido is even higher during pregnancy than it was before. In fact, many women report having more orgasms during pregnancy (go mama!) – and some even experience their first orgasms while pregnant!
