Sex During Pregnancy

In general, sex during pregnancy is safe for you and the baby. Some women with high-risk pregnancies are advised to avoid intercourse during pregnancy.

Sex during and after pregnancy is all too often still a subject that people do not talk much about.  However, like many parents-to-be, you may have questions about the safety of sex during pregnancy and what is normal for most couples.

Well, what's normal tends to vary widely, but you can count on the fact that with pregnancy, birth, and a new child there will be changes in your sex life.  The following information has been adapted from the website listed at the bottom of this page.

The Joy of Sex During Pregnancy

Many expectant parents worry that sex can be harmful during pregnancy. They fear that intercourse could hurt the baby, cause miscarriage, or cause discomfort or pain for the pregnant woman. Worries like this are common, but most of them are unfounded.

Unless your health care provider advises you otherwise, sex during pregnancy is safe for you and your baby. As long as your pregnancy is proceeding normally, you can have sex as often as you like. If your pregnancy is considered to be high risk, you may need to be more cautious.  Your health care provider will tell you if you have a high-risk pregnancy.

While sex is safe during pregnancy, that does not mean you will necessarily want to have sex.  Many pregnant women find that their desire for sex fluctuates during certain stages in the pregnancy. Also, many women find that sex becomes uncomfortable as their bodies get larger.  You may need to experiment with different positions for sex to find those that are the most comfortable.

What is critical is that you and your partner need to keep the lines of communication open regarding your sexual relationship.

Sexual Desire Often Changes During Pregnancy

Many women are not very interested in sex while they are pregnant. Exhaustion, raging hormones, tender breasts and self-consciousness about  her changing body often result in a decreased interest in sex.   On the other hand, many women find that pregnancy makes them want sex more than they did before they became pregnant. This sex drive is caused by hormonal changes.

Positions for sexual intercourse used before pregnancy and early in pregnancy can be uncomfortable or even unsafe at later stages of the baby’s development. For example, a woman should avoid lying flat on her back after approximately the first trimester.

Can sex during pregnancy harm the baby?

The baby is protected by the amniotic fluid in your uterus, as well as the mucous plug that blocks the cervix throughout most of your pregnancy. Your partner's penis won't touch the baby.  Sex during pregnancy will not harm the baby.

Many couples worry that sex during pregnancy will cause a miscarriage, especially in the first trimester.  However, early miscarriages are usually related to chromosomal abnormalities or other problems in the developing baby, and not related to your sexual activity.

Can sexual intercourse or orgasm cause miscarriage or contractions?

In cases of normal, low-risk pregnancies, the answer is no. Orgasms can cause uterine contractions, but these contractions are different from the contractions you'll feel during labor.

Are any sexual positions off-limits during pregnancy?

As your pregnancy progresses, experiment to find the most comfortable positions and what makes sense to you and your partner.  After the first trimester it is recommended you avoid lying flat on your back during sex.

What about oral sex?

Oral sex need not be avoided.  However, it is important that your partner does not blow air into your vagina. Rarely, a burst of air may block a blood vessel which could cause a serious problem for you and the baby.

Should my partner use a condom?

Exposure to sexually transmitted diseases during pregnancy increases the risk of infections that can affect your pregnancy and your baby's health. If you have a new sexual partner during pregnancy, yes, you should use a condom when you have sex.

When is it not safe to have sexual intercourse?

Many health care providers recommend waiting approximately six weeks before resuming intercourse. This allows time for your cervix to close and any tears or a repaired episiotomy to heal.  At your postpartum checkup make sure to talk to your heath care provider for his or her input.