There’s no shortage of information about sex before pregnancy (about trying to conceive or trying not to!), but when it comes to the topic of sex during pregnancy, things can get a little, well, fuzzy.
The number one question most pregnant women ask is, “Is it safe to have sex while I’m pregnant?” The short answer, according to Mayo Clinic staff, is yes, as long as your pregnancy is proceeding normally, and sex feels safe, comfortable and enjoyable for you.
Risk aside, your desire to have sex may ebb and flow throughout your pregnancy. Reduced sexual drive due to hormone fluctuations, fatigue and nausea is common during the first trimester. But during the second trimester, many women find that as blood flow to the breasts and sexual organs increases, so does their desire for sex. In the final stages of pregnancy, back pain and weight gain might make sex uncomfortable or simply unappealing. Every woman is different, so don’t fret if your sex life becomes a bit unpredictable while you are pregnant.
A common misperception is that sex can harm your baby or cause miscarriage. In fact, your baby is well protected by the amniotic sac as well as the mucous plug that blocks your cervix throughout pregnancy. In the case of normal, low-risk pregnancies, sexual (vaginal) intercourse will not harm your baby. If you have a high-risk pregnancy or any complications, it’s always best to check with your health care provider to see what s/he thinks is best.
Resources:
Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sex-during-pregnancy/HO00140
KidsHealth: http://www.kidshealth.org
There’s no shortage of information about sex before pregnancy (about trying to conceive or trying not to!), but when it comes to the topic of sex during pregnancy, things can get a little, well, fuzzy.
The number one question most pregnant women ask is, “Is it safe to have sex while I’m pregnant?” The short answer, according to Mayo Clinic staff, is yes, as long as your pregnancy is proceeding normally, and sex feels safe, comfortable and enjoyable for you.
Risk aside, your desire to have sex may ebb and flow throughout your pregnancy. Reduced sexual drive due to hormone fluctuations, fatigue and nausea is common during the first trimester. But during the second trimester, many women find that as blood flow to the breasts and sexual organs increases, so does their desire for sex. In the final stages of pregnancy, back pain and weight gain might make sex uncomfortable or simply unappealing. Every woman is different, so don’t fret if your sex life becomes a bit unpredictable while you are pregnant.
A common misperception is that sex can harm your baby or cause miscarriage. In fact, your baby is well protected by the amniotic sac as well as the mucous plug that blocks your cervix throughout pregnancy. In the case of normal, low-risk pregnancies, sexual (vaginal) intercourse will not harm your baby. If you have a high-risk pregnancy or any complications, it’s always best to check with your health care provider to see what s/he thinks is best.
Resources:
Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sex-during-pregnancy/HO00140
KidsHealth: http://www.kidshealth.org