Often pregnant women and their partners want to know how safe sex is during pregnancy. Is there a possibility that this activity will affect the unborn child? Can it cause miscarriage? What are the positions to avoid? We aim to answer all these questions in the following.

About sex during pregnancy

Sex is an important and natural part of married life at every stage. So it's just as normal to want sex during pregnancy as it is to want sex during your period . Moreover, the hormonal fluctuations that occur in your body after you become pregnant can significantly increase your interest in sex. So it is important to know what is ok and what is not so that your baby is protected and you continue to enjoy a normal and healthy life.

Let's talk about safety first. In normal, uncomplicated pregnancies, sex does not harm the fetus in any way. It is a myth that sexual intercourse or orgasm can induce abortion or labor, as the baby is permanently protected by amniotic fluid, the strong muscles of the uterus and a gelatinous plug that forms at the level of the cervix. So listen to your doctor's advice if you have a complicated pregnancy and are advised to avoid sex. For normal pregnancies, plenty of studies confirm that sex and orgasmic contractions do not cause preterm births or preterm labor.

On the other hand, it is important to listen to your body. As you move into your last trimester, you may feel more comfortable in certain positions that don't put pressure on your abdominal area, or those that allow you to control penetration and pacing. As always, be open and communicate with your partner so that you both have a pleasant experience.

Is sex during pregnancy allowed?

In most cases, it is perfectly safe to have sex during pregnancy. However, there are certain situations - such as pregnancies that are at risk of miscarriage due to problems with the placenta - where sex is prohibited. It is always recommended to ask the specialist doctor if sexual intercourse could be contraindicated.

Can penetration harm the child?

The developing baby is protected by the amniotic fluid in the uterus as well as the strong muscles of the uterus. The partner's penis or a penetrating sex toy cannot penetrate beyond the vagina without affecting the baby in any way. The little one will not even know what is happening in those moments.

The safest positions for sex during pregnancy

Although sex is considered safe and is allowed in all trimesters of a normal pregnancy, from the moment your period is late (a phenomenon we told you all about HERE ) until the last trimester, every woman may feels more comfortable in certain positions. Those in which the weight of the body is not left on the abdominal area or on the organs (as happens for example in the missionary position) are preferable.

Here are some of the safest sex positions during pregnancy:

• The position you stand on top of

• Spoon position

• Positions where you sit on the edge of the bed

Sex in the first trimester of pregnancy

Sex in the first trimester may be the last thing on your mind when you're dealing with nausea, anxiety, mood swings and exhaustion every day. Many other changes occur during this period as the baby develops, the belly grows and the pregnancy progresses. You can read HERE more about how pregnancy progresses and how the fetus develops at each stage, by week.   Your libido can fluctuate - some days you might want to have sex, and some days you don't even want to hear about it. It's also good to know that the hormonal changes you're going through can cause vaginal dryness and breast pain, so it's good to talk to your partner so you're both on the same page.

Can sexual intercourse cause an abortion?

Unless your doctor tells you not to have sex, there's no reason to avoid it - intercourse cannot cause a miscarriage (you can read our article to see exactly what miscarriage is and what its real causes actually are) . The muscles around the uterus, as well as the amniotic fluid inside it, help protect the baby during sex, and the mucus plug at the opening of the cervix prevents the passage of bacteria.

Many of the miscarriages actually occur because of chromosomal abnormalities that occur during the fertilization of the embryo or even from unknown causes. They have nothing to do with sex or your daily activities.

Sex during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester

Most couples often wonder if sex in the second trimester is safe, given that anything can go wrong during pregnancy. The answer is yes. It is perfectly safe to have sex during the second trimester of pregnancy. This activity does not harm the fetus, nor does it have any negative impact on your health.

However, there are also cases where sexual intercourse may be contraindicated, especially if you had problems with pregnancy in the first trimester. It is always better to check with your gynecologist if any problems may occur or not.

The second trimester is known as the “honeymoon period” because all the symptoms of the first trimester, such as nausea, fatigue, etc., disappear. It brings back all the vitality and vigor you lost in the first trimester. You may notice some changes in your sex life for the following reasons:

• Hormonal fluctuations : The level of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) gradually decreases, leading to a better balance of progesterone and estrogen. This significantly reduces the symptoms of nausea and fatigue. As a result, your sex drive will increase and you will feel more energetic.

• Increased libido: Many women experience increased libido due to increased blood flow to the genitals. There is more vaginal lubrication and clitoral hypersensitivity, which makes sex in the second trimester very enjoyable.

Sexual positions in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy

If sex in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy is also pleasant for you, then most positions in which you feel comfortable are safe. Positions in which you lie on your back for too long, or when your partner rests his body weight on your abdomen, are generally prohibited, as this can affect the baby's oxygen level.

On the other hand, for many women, the 2nd trimester of pregnancy means difficult changes to which the body hardly adapts. Weight gain and feeling exhausted can make intercourse more difficult, uncomfortable, or even painful, so it's recommended that you try different sex positions if you're in this situation. Choose positions where you stand above your partner and can control the depth of penetration, the pace and intensity of the movements.

If you feel that no position is comfortable enough, you can consider other forms of sex, such as oral sex. Your partner just needs to be careful not to blow air into the vagina, because it can block a blood vessel. The condition is called air embolism and is very rare, but it can be life-threatening for both the mother and the baby.

Sex in the third trimester of pregnancy

If you have a normal, healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy, sex is completely safe until the day you give birth. In fact, some believe that sex in the days leading up to the birth can convince the baby to come into the world early!

Sexual positions in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy

Women often experience an increased libido at the end of pregnancy, so don't hesitate to have fun! Finding a comfortable position can be a little tricky, but with experimentation and creativity you can find it. Many women prefer the "spooning" position because it puts the least amount of pressure on your internal organs. This position requires that the two partners lie in bed, each on one side, and the man covers the middle partner. So, if before pregnancy you were only used to certain sex positions that now, in the 3rd trimester, no longer work, you will need to take things a little slower and try new positions to find one that gives you comfort, pleasure and especially safety.

Unprotected sex during pregnancy

As a rule, unprotected sex during pregnancy cannot cause problems if you are in a monogamous relationship with a partner who has tested negative for sexually transmitted diseases. However, if you do not have this safety, use a condom to protect yourself.

A sexually transmitted infection during pregnancy can cause serious health problems for both mother and child. Avoid all forms of sex - vaginal, oral and anal - if your partner has an active or newly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection.

Orgasm in pregnancy - Can it trigger birth?

If you're not in the right moment yet, don't worry! Sex and orgasm cannot induce premature birth. On the other hand, if the pregnancy is at term, or even overdue, one of the methods that can be used to induce labor is sex (discover how to reach orgasm and different methods for a perfect sexual arousal here! )

Uterine contractions are an integral part of orgasm. They can be quite strong and last up to half an hour. If the body is ready, these post-orgasm contractions are just one of the elements that can induce birth.

Stimulating your nipples and genitals, as well as orgasming, is a natural way to increase your levels of oxytocin, a hormone your body produces to trigger labor contractions when you're ready to give birth. Oxytocin is also commonly used by doctors in synthetic form to induce labor.

What's more, your partner's sperm can also help because it contains prostaglandins that are also produced by the uterus to thin and dilate the cervix and trigger contractions.

Anal sex in pregnancy

Having anal sex during pregnancy is an extremely personal decision. Some pregnant women enjoy anal stimulation more than usual because they claim that the increased blood flow creates a heightened sensation of pleasure. On the other hand, many people prefer not to try anal sex during pregnancy.

If you decide that you want to try this sex position, it is good to consider the potential health problems that may arise:

• Anal sex can irritate hemorrhoids that often appear during pregnancy

• Anal fissures that occur due to constipation can be aggravated by this sexual position

• It increases the risk of developing bacterial infections that can affect the fetus

• In the case of pregnancies with complications - such as those with placenta previa - anal sex should be avoided completely

Is it normal to have uterine contractions after sex in pregnancy?

Yes, it is possible for sexual penetration and orgasm to cause contractions during pregnancy. But in this case we are talking about Braxton Hicks contractions, namely the false contractions that appear and disappear in pregnant women.

This type of contractions is characterized by an irregular rhythm and a medium intensity. It's like a kind of pressure, slightly uncomfortable, which often doesn't last more than 30 seconds. Their role is to train your uterine muscles to prepare you for birth, but they don't signal or trigger labor.

These contractions normally occur in the last trimester, towards the end of pregnancy, but you can also feel them after an intense orgasm. Sure, they can look worrisome, but they're completely harmless and don't trigger labor.

Oral sex during pregnancy

Oral sex can be done safely throughout pregnancy. However, the partner should avoid blowing air into the pregnant woman's vagina, as this can cause an air embolism, in which an air bubble blocks a blood vessel. Although rare, air embolism can be life-threatening for both mother and baby. You can discover more about oral sex and positions you can use in our article!

Sex during pregnancy - Benefits

Sex during pregnancy comes with a number of benefits that you can enjoy:

• It releases endorphins, a hormone that will make you feel good and full of vitality

• It leads to restful sleep

• It encourages communication as a couple

• Reduces the intensity of pain associated with pregnancy

• Decreases stress and anxiety levels

• It's a good way to exercise without too much effort

• It reduces the risk of hypertension and preeclampsia

• It can induce labor when the pregnancy is full-term or overdue

When NOT to have sex during pregnancy

Your doctor may advise against sex during pregnancy if you have the following medical conditions:

• You have unexplained vaginal bleeding

• Lose amniotic fluid

• The cervix begins to open prematurely (cervical incompetence)

• You suffer from placenta previa which means that the placenta covers the cervical opening partially or completely

• You have a history of premature labor or premature birth

Sex after pregnancy - When can it be done?

The postpartum period is considered to be the six-week period that follows the birth. Usually during this period libido is low, and sex may be contraindicated due to factors such as:

• Healing from an episiotomy (incision during vaginal birth)
• Healing of abdominal incisions after caesarean section
• Normal postpartum bleeding, which can last 4 to 6 weeks after birth
• Fatigue
• Baby's requirements
• Change in hormonal levels
• Breast pain
• Emotional problems

Sex is generally safe after any incision has completely healed. This healing usually takes several weeks. Most doctors will recommend that you wait at least 6 weeks after giving birth before having sex.

Sexual positions after birth

After giving birth, your body needs time to rest and recover. This means cessation of lochia, closure of the cervix and healing of vaginal lesions or those created by caesarean section.

Once your body recovers and you feel ready to resume your sex life (of course, only with your doctor's approval), here are some of the safest and most comfortable sex positions in the postpartum period:

• The spoon, just like during pregnancy

• The Amazon position and other positions where you stand on top of your partner

• Anchor (slight modification of the Missionary position to protect your abdominal area)

Positions that put more pressure on your abdomen or allow for deeper penetration are not as comfortable and safe. Even if they are among your and your partner's favorites, wait for your body to fully recover before returning to positions like doggy style, standing, and classic missionary. If you want to know more about the resumption of sexual life and the recommended positions after childbirth, HERE we have an article completely dedicated to this topic where we tell you everything you should know.

Frequently asked questions

Discover the most frequently asked questions about sex during pregnancy below!

Is it good to have sex during pregnancy?

As long as you do not have any contraindications from the specialist doctor and you feel comfortable during the process, sex during pregnancy is perfectly safe and can bring a number of benefits.

Is it bad if I don't have sex during pregnancy?

Not. Some women don't want to have sex during pregnancy and that's perfectly fine.

How can libido vary during pregnancy?

Libido in the first trimester of pregnancy can be low due to hormonal changes. It will increase again in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

Sources:

1. "The Effects of Sexual Activity on Uterine Contractions in Pregnancy", Journal of Women's Health, June 12. 2009, https://www.liebertpub.com/

2. Arun Nagarth, Malhotra Narendra, Seth Shikha. “Progress in Obstetrics and Gynecology–3”, Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Pvt. Ltd., 2012, Ch. 9, p. 157

3. Poonam Suchdev. "What Are Sex Positions During Pregnancy?", WebMD, Dec. 13. 2022, https://www.webmd.com

4. "What to know about sex during pregnancy", Medical News Today, 18 Dec. 2023, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com