SO, here’s the million dollar question, “Is it safe to have sex while you’re pregnant?’ We’ll be perfectly frank with you. There is A LOT you have to give up during pregnancy, both for your health and the health of the fetus. From the moment you pee on that stick, some things are off limits…and the list gets longer as your belly gets bigger. But do you have to live a life of bland, boring celibacy for 40 weeks too?! You absolutely do not, our soon-to-get freaky friends. Sex during pregnancy is (in most cases) perfectly safe and (dare we say?!) even more enjoyable. Thank you increased blood flow, lubrication and sensitivity! As with anything that has to do with pregnancy, whether or not you can get it on is not a one-size-fits-all deal. But we’ll help break it down for you, so you can break it off in the bedroom.
When is sex during pregnancy OK?
As long as you’re having a healthy pregnancy without complications (more on that in a bit) and you want to have sex, then by all means, have at it! There’s no magic week where it becomes ‘safe’ or OK. You and your partner can safely engage in sexual intercourse and other fun stuff throughout your pregnancy. Your amniotic sac and the muscles around your uterus act as a little forcefield and protect the developing fetus during sex. No, you can’t pop your sac during sex. No, your baby isn’t going to get poked in the head by a penis or sex toy. Your little bean is safely tucked away and protected up there, swooshing around in your amniotic fluid to the rhythms.
Now, that being said, will you feel like having sex during your entire pregnancy? Maybe not! Your first tri can be exhausting, and if you suffer from morning sickness, that can really dampen the mood. In your last tri, you may find that the process is just uncomfortable as your belly gets bigger and it’s harder and harder to find a position that is comfortable for you (and your partner). So while you CAN have sex throughout your pregnancy, you may not want to, and that is the most important piece of this puzzle. Active and enthusiastic participation is a must.
Also, if you have multiple intercourse partners, protection is an ABSOLUTE necessity. You may not be able to get pregnant, but you are still at risk for STIs, and contracting an STD during pregnancy can put your developing baby at a much higher risk for complications and negative outcomes.
When should you ixnay the exsay during pregnancy?
Some pregnancy complications may require you to abstain from intercourse for the health and safety of you and your baby. If you experience unexplained vaginal bleeding at any point in your pregnancy, your doctor may advise that you not have sex. Leaking amniotic fluid, an incompetent cervix (when your cervix starts to open prematurely), or placenta previa (where the placenta fully or partially covers the opening of the cervix) are also pregnancy complications that will lead to your doc recommending no sexual intercourse or activity. The risk of infection or more serious complications is just too high.
If you have a history of preterm labor or delivery, you should also have a long talk with your doc before engaging in sexual intercourse or activity. Orgasms, breast stimulation, and even some of the hormones found in semen can cause uterine contractions, which is very risky if you have a history of going into preterm labor. Your doctor will most likely advise that you hold off on sex (at least in the first and second trimester), or limit the types of sexual activity you can safely engage in.
If you’re pregnant and feeling some type of way, but are maybe a little apprehensive to do the deed, there’s no harm in talking to your doctor. Believe us – old wives’ tales and misinformation about sex during pregnancy have been around a whole lot longer than your baby bump, and lots and lots (and LOTS!) of folks have had these same questions and concerns. You may not be able to pregame with a cocktail or two anymore, but when it comes to sex during pregnancy, not much else is off the table.
