Sex During Pregnancy
Sex is a healthy part of a loving relationship for couples. For most women, yes, sex is safe during pregnancy. But there are few things you need to know about sex during pregnancy: If your pregnancy is healthy, you can have sex. You and your spouse can use safe and comfortable positions throughout pregnancy. Sex doesn’t hurt your baby during pregnancy.The penis doesn’t physically contact the fetus, which is well protected by uterine muscle and amniotic fluid. The cervical mucus plug prevents bacteria and semen from entering the womb. However, avoid deep penetration if it causes pain. Even though sex is safe for most pregnant women, you do want to protect your baby from certain infections you can get during sex
When is sex not safe during pregnancy
1. If You’ve had a miscarriage in the past or you’re at risk of having a miscarriage in this current pregnancy.
2. If you’ve had a premature baby in the past or you have any signs of preterm labor in this current pregnancy.
3. If Your pregnancy is in multiples (twins, triplets or more)
4. If you have an incompetent cervix: This is when the cervix opens too early during pregnancy. Cervix is the opening to the uterus. An incompetent cervix can cause you to have preterm labor.
5. If you have placenta previa. ( This condition is where the placenta lies very low in the uterus and covers the cervix either fully or partially.
Signs that may occur during or after sex in pregnancy
1. Heavy bleeding
2. Pain during sex
3. Amniotic fluid leakage
4. Painful Cramps that isn’t going away after sex.
If you see any of this signs above, please inform to your doctor.
Though It is normal to have some cramps or spotting after sex during pregnancy. Having an orgasm can cause cramps but those contractions during orgasm aren’t the same as labor contractions.
Effects of pregnancy on sex drive
sex drive can change throughout pregnancy. Increase and Decrease in hormones and body changes can affect the sex drive.
Few changes you may notice in your sex drive during pregnancy:
1.In 1st trimester: Hormonal changes in pregnancy and body changes can make you feel sexy. But these changes can also lead to pregnancy discomfort which makes you less interested in sex, like feeling tired or nausea, having sore breasts and needing to go to the toilet often.
2.In 2nd trimester : you may feel better in this period. All discomfort may have gone away or you may be able to manage them better. In fact, you may want to have sex more often than you did in the past due to increase in blood flow to your sexual organs and breasts which will ignite your desire. These extra blood flow helps orgasm to occur easily.
3. In 3rd trimester:Towards the end of pregnancy, you may feel less interested in sex. As your belly gets bigger, you may find some sex positions to be uncomfortable. You may be less interested in sex because you’re focusing more on giving birth and having a new baby.
Best sex positions during pregnancy
Positions that work before pregnancy and in early pregnancy may be uncomfortable or even unsafe during later stages of pregnancy.
These positions would work out:
1. Spooning: Lying sideways with your partner lying behind you. Having sex in this position helps to lower the amount of pressure placed on your belly.
2. Woman on hands and knees (Doggy) . This position works best during the 1st and 2nd trimester because it lowers the pressure placed on the belly. As the belly gets bigger, this position becomes very uncomfortable.
3. Woman on top. This position puts the woman in control of the depth and rhythm during sex.
Other ways sexual intimacy can be achieved
Sexual intercourse does not have to happen before intimacy can occur. Here are few ways to achieve sexual intimacy:
1. Kissing
2.Cuddling
3. Erotic Massage.
4. Mutual masturbation. This is when you and your partner touch yourselves to bring to orgasm.
5. Oral sex
Staying connected, both parties have to communicate their needs in a loving way while pleasure and comfort would be your guide.
Sex After Childbirth
There is no set rule for this, although it is medically safe to resume sex soon after delivery. However, one needs to take into consideration vaginal tenderness, and whether sex would be mutually satisfying and pleasurable.The husband needs to consider how the new mother is feeling.There are too many influences and emotions to take into consideration. Be patient, and loving. Try and give your wife a break, some time to herself, to relax and to heal psychologically and emotionally, So I would advice to wait until after the postpartum checkup (6 weeks after childbirth) to resume sexual intercourse. Use birth control when you feel ready to start having sex again.Talking to your doctor about the suitable birth control that’s safe to use during breast feeding.
Even after your body has healed, these common changes may affect your sex life:
1. Vagina dryness: vagina may feel very dry due to changes in hormones, especially if you’re breast feeding. Using a lubricant would help make the vagina more wet. Try different positions to help you feel more comfortable.
2. Weakness of vagina muscles : pleasure during sex may not be felt as much because the vaginal muscles may be weak after childbirth. This problem usually goes away over time. The vagina muscles can be made stronger by doing Kegel exercises.
3. Low sex drive : Sex drive may be lower than usual. This is normal, so don’t worry!
There are lots of reasons for having low sex drive.
* Healing from an episiotomy (incision during vaginal delivery)
* Healing from abdominal incisions after cesarean section (CS)
* Normal postpartum bleeding, common for four to six weeks after birth
* Tiredness after pregnancy and child birthing
* Demands of newborn (increased if twins or triplets)
* Change in hormonal levels
* Sore breasts from breast feeding
* Emotional issues, such as postpartum anxiety over parenting, or relationship issues with spouse.
To help feel better, eat healthy foods, do something active every day and rest as much as you can. Always communicate your feelings to one another.
Most couples go back to having an active sex life during the first year of their baby’s life. If you’re still worried or feeling pressure about having sex, talk to your doctor.
