Sex during pregnancy

Sexual activities during pregnancy are quite safe and enjoyable for most of the couples, according to health care experts. Nevertheless, gestation is the period that comes with a lot of changes in the woman both – physical and mental. Such changes may vary a woman's sexual desire and capability. Furthermore, physical discomfort during pregnancy or fear of injuring the infant inside may affect a couple's sexual life.

Many ladies face changes in their libido i.e. sexual desires during their pregnancies. Some factors that can play a role in altering sexual life include:

 • During the first trimester: morning sickness (nausea and vomiting) and fatigue may reduce interest in sexual activities.

 • During the second trimester: there is an increase in pelvic blood supply and increased breasts’ size. This increases sexual interests and woman may seek sexual pleasure 

 • During the third trimester: physical discomfort, fatigue and back pain may again reduce the female libido. 

On the other hand, men may also experience several changes in sexuality throughout his woman’s pregnancy. Severe and drastic physical changes can simply mean that what is joyful this week could be painful in the next. If sexual desire and interest fall, the couple might be able to explore some other ways for non-sexual intimacy like sensual massage or cuddling.

Generally, for the majority of pregnant women, sex with or without orgasm, is considered to be safe. Some exceptions are always there as sexual intercourse may not be said safer if a pregnant woman has:

• Severe abdominal cramps, pains or contractions

• Undetermined bleeding from the vagina

• Any other factor that puts pregnant woman at higher risk of getting into premature labor (for instance, any past history of premature delivery, or a multiple abortions).

• Premature dilation of the cervix, and

• Rupture of the membranes (i.e. if the water inside breaks)

In any case, if any of these problems occur, it is always better to contact qualified and experienced health care professional and seek advice. If the pregnant woman is free from above mentioned health problems, the risk factors, sexual activities are considered to be safe throughout the gestational period.

While many pregnant women think that sexual activities, especially the coitus during pregnancy may induce premature birth of the baby, it is certainly a wrong belief. In fact, there have been some researches that showed that sexual activities during pregnancy can reduce the risks of getting premature labor! Sexual intercourse while pregnant is not supposed to harm the infant as the fetus is protected by a thick material (the mucus plug of the cervix). Nevertheless, a few safety concerns still come!

In case of the pregnant woman who has contracted any disease, the sexual intercourse during her gestational period is not advisable. More worst is when her partner, the male, has got some kind of sexual transmitted disease. STD can bring a lot of complications when it comes to sexual intercourse during pregnancy. It can simply introduce harmful microorganisms into the vaginal canal through which, they travel and may reach to the fetus. It is equally fatal for the baby growing inside and the mother.