Is it Safe To Have Sex During Pregnancy?

Many expectant parents worry that sex can be harmful during pregnancy. They fear that intercourse could hurt the baby, or even cause miscarriage. Some are afraid that the baby somehow “knows” that sex is taking place. The partner sometimes worries that intercourse might cause discomfort or pain for the pregnant woman. Worries like this are common and completely normal, but most of them are unfounded.

If your pregnancy is considered to be high risk, you may need to be more cautious than other women. Your health care provider may advise you to avoid intercourse for all or part of your pregnancy.

The Changes of Pregnancy

Many women are not very interested in sex while they are pregnant. Exhaustion, raging hormones, tender breasts and self-consciousness about her growing girth can put a pregnant women's sex drive on hold. Take heart in the fact that most couples resume an active sex life sometime during the first year of their baby's life.

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. For some women, newfound voluptuousness can play a role in making them feel sexier than ever.

Positions that work 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 the fourth month of pregnancy, because the weight of the growing uterus puts pressure on major blood vessels. Fortunately, there are alternatives to the traditional missionary position, such as lying sideways or having the woman on top.

As for the baby, he or she has no idea what Mom and Dad are doing. The baby is well protected by a cushion of fluid in the womb and by the mom's abdomen.

Suggestions for You and Your Partner

If you're concerned, ask your health care provider if it's okay to have sex.
Talk to each other about your needs and concerns in an open and loving way. If you work together, you can probably figure out how to put a smile on each other's face.
Let mutual pleasure and comfort be your guide. If something doesn't feel physically or emotionally right to one of you, change what you're doing.

Keep your sense of humor.

To avoid sexually transmitted infections, have sex with only one person who doesn't have any other sexual partners and/or use a condom when having sex. Discuss HIV testing for you and your partner with your health care provider.
If the pregnancy is high risk or if you have any questions at all, ask for guidance from your health care provider.

After the baby is born, wait until after your postpartum checkup before you resume intercourse.