Sexual life during pregnancy. Sex during pregnancy: is it possible and necessary?

Is it possible and should you have sex during pregnancy?

There are two opposing stereotypes about this: one says that sex during pregnancy is unnecessary, dangerous, harmful and generally contrary to nature, and the other, more modern one, says that pregnancy is never a reason to refuse sex, and in general pregnancy is It’s not a disease, so no precautions are needed. But the truth, as usual, is somewhere in the middle. Let's look for her.

Do pregnant women need sex?

It's not the same for everybody. And here, too, there are extremes. The play of hormones is unpredictable - some women lose desire from the very first weeks of pregnancy, while others do not know what to do with their raging libido. It also happens that, having completely disappeared in the first trimester of pregnancy, sexual desire returns in the second.

From the point of view of nature, sex with a pregnant female is unnatural and impractical - after all, she can no longer be fertilized, so why waste time and semen on a useless task? So for those who have sex solely for reproductive purposes, there is really no need for it during pregnancy.

So, when a woman is aroused, blood circulation in the pelvic area increases - and as a result, blood flow in the placenta increases, so that the baby receives more oxygen and nutrients. And the release of endorphin - the “hormone of joy” - brings pleasure not only to the mother, but also to the child.
Contraction of the uterus during orgasm is considered a good preparation of the muscles for upcoming contractions.

Many doctors also recommend having sex on last weeks pregnancy, since the hormones contained in sperm increase the elasticity of the cervix, thereby promoting better dilation during childbirth and reducing the risk of rupture.

Is sex dangerous for pregnant women?

So it turns out that sex for pregnant women is one of pure joy and benefit? Not really and not always.

Sex is dangerous and is usually prohibited by doctors in the following cases:

active threat of miscarriage;
miscarriages or premature birth in the anamnesis. The most dangerous days are the days of expected menstruation, that is, every fourth week of the period, as well as the dates of previous miscarriages;
leakage amniotic fluid– there is a high risk of infection in the uterus;
placenta previa or low attachment - sexual intercourse can cause bleeding;
multiple pregnancy - doctors recommend abstaining from sex from the 20th week due to the increased risk of premature birth;
bleeding or spotting from the vagina - what kind of sex is that, run to the doctor;
presence of signs of genital tract infection in one of the partners;
if the pregnancy falls into the category “ high risk” for other reasons - for example, pregnancy after IVF.

Precautions during sex

In the middle and on later positions for sex should be the most gentle, convenient and comfortable for a woman, limiting the possibility of deep penetration. Sex in the “woman on her back” position is contraindicated. Suitable for any stage of pregnancy expectant mother lying on your side with a man behind you.

If you experience bleeding or abdominal pain during sexual intercourse, you should stop immediately and consult a doctor! There should also be no pain.

Many doctors recommend having sex with a condom during pregnancy to avoid possible infections. In any case, a man is obliged to closely monitor the slightest signs of a urinary tract infection and, if anything happens, immediately consult a doctor for treatment.

The benefits of pregnant sex

The disadvantages and difficulties of pregnant sex are clear. But there are also advantages!

Firstly, already from the first weeks of pregnancy, a woman’s blood supply to the uterus and vagina increases, and the clitoris becomes more sensitive. And since impaired blood flow to the genitals is one of the causes of anorgasmia, some women may experience orgasm for the first time during pregnancy. For others, the sensations intensify - in the presence of excitement and the absence of fear, of course.

Secondly, the couple can completely relax and not think about contraceptives and their reliability: they are clearly not in danger of an additional pregnancy. Those who have been trying to have a child for a long time and have finally succeeded can also relax: they no longer need to have sex strictly on the days of the most likely conception and take conducive positions, you can only think about pleasure.

In general, everything is possible if you are careful, if you want and there are no contraindications!

Everyone knows that without sexual intercourse a child cannot be conceived. However, with the onset of the long-awaited event, most parents have a question: is it possible to have sex during pregnancy?

Sex Don't be afraid of positions
Oral sex to be together Long-awaited sex
Intimacy after childbirth problems consultation

Someone argues that it is better to refuse sexual intercourse for this period: what kind of sex can there be if a little person lives inside? Others, on the contrary, experience significant discomfort without love pleasures.

Allowed if pregnancy proceeds smoothly, without complications

Contraindications to intimacy

If the pregnancy proceeds without complications, there is no threat of miscarriage, then you can have sex while carrying a child almost until the birth. If not everything went smoothly in the past, or there were miscarriages and premature births, then sex during pregnancy is undesirable.

In the first three months, you should engage in “mating games” with caution or even abandon it altogether. Also find out.

It is better to abstain from sexual intercourse:

in the case of carrying several embryos, despite the woman’s general well-being, it is better to stop having sex from the 20th week: this is explained by the fact that with multiple pregnancies there is a high risk of premature birth, and arousal can stimulate labor;
if there is a high tone of the uterus: then, regardless of the trimester of the “interesting position”, sexual intercourse can cause contraction of the uterus, as well as premature birth;
If ultrasonography If placenta previa has been shown, blood may appear after sex during pregnancy: doctors advise not to use positions that provide deep penetration (the expectant mother on top, the future dad behind);
if having sex leads to bleeding or spotting, then it is better to refuse sexual intercourse before visiting a gynecologist;
if a pregnant woman has previously had miscarriages, premature birth, or there is a threat of termination, it is better to refuse intimacy during the most dangerous periods: in this case, the days of the expected menstruation are considered dangerous, in other words, every fourth week of the term, as well as the dates of previous interruptions;
in the presence of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as in situations where conception occurred during therapy for sexually transmitted diseases;
a month before the expected date of birth, all doctors advise avoiding sexual contact: this is explained by the fact that during arousal, a woman produces oxytocin - a hormone that promotes contraction of the uterus, the same effect is exerted by prostaglandin - a male hormone contained in sperm, which is why intimacy before childbirth it can provoke contractions (if the expectant mother, on the contrary, is past her due date, then doctors recommend stimulating labor with sexual caresses).

Why is there no desire?

All women have different attitudes towards changes in their body: some experience pregnancy without complications, while others experience constant discomfort. This determines the attitude towards intimacy: some are ready to engage in it every day, others do not know whether it is possible to have sex during pregnancy, so they avoid it in every possible way. Both positions are absolutely normal.

Don't be afraid of intimacy, orgasm doesn't cause real contractions!

Let us immediately note that during intimate intimacy a man cannot harm the baby, because the embryo is reliably protected amniotic fluid, placenta and uterus. This is why you can have sex during pregnancy.

It’s another matter if the expectant mother feels discomfort caused by changes in her body:

the baby’s head puts a lot of pressure on the pelvis, the ligaments are stretched, which causes pain during sex;
the breasts also become highly sensitive, so even gentle caressing movements can be unpleasant;
Habitual sex positions during pregnancy can also cause discomfort, because now you have a big belly.

Thus, the woman begins to listen more to her desires, and not to the desires of her husband. Therefore, if you don’t want intimacy during pregnancy, there shouldn’t be any questions here.

However, it is worth noting that sexual desire in an “interesting position” can be unpredictable: if today it is completely absent, then tomorrow it can jump sharply. According to folk signs If a girl is expecting a boy, she has high sexuality; if she is expecting a girl, her sexuality is very low or completely absent.

Only permitted items must be used

Also, many women shy away from intimacy because they do not know whether it is possible to make love during pregnancy, because there is an opinion that an orgasm can cause real contractions. However, it has recently been found that if the fetus, uterus and cervix are not ready for labor, then contractions during orgasm will not affect the woman's condition.

Permitted and prohibited poses

An equally popular question among all young parents expecting a baby is how can you have sex during pregnancy? Let's look at the most popular sex positions and find out why they are dangerous during pregnancy.

If the expectant mother lies on her back, vena cava compression syndrome may occur, as the growing uterus puts pressure on her. As a result, the woman and baby develop oxygen starvation.
The knee-elbow sex position presented in the video is also not entirely comfortable, as it puts a lot of stress on the lumbar region.
You cannot have sex during pregnancy in the “woman on top” position, as this requires a lot of physical effort from the woman. Positions for sexual contacts should be gentle, eliminating pressure on the stomach.
The most optimal option is to lie on your side - facing or with your back to the man, as well as sitting, at different levels - the expectant mother lies across the bed, at the very edge, and her partner kneels in front of her.

Oral and anal sex

Oral eliminates any injuries and deviations during pregnancy

It is very important to know the technique of sexual intimacy, which replaces intercourse. This is most necessary in the first months of an “interesting situation”, when you need to satisfy your spouse without bringing the expectant mother to orgasm. This is because it is better not to overload the uterus with excess blood and not force it to contract at the peak of sexual intercourse.

The ideal option would be oral sex during pregnancy. No woman will be against such a manifestation of passion. If the spouses have succeeded in this field before the onset of an “interesting situation,” then no discontent or misunderstandings will arise, and oral sex during pregnancy will continue to be practiced.

But we should not forget about the emotional state of a woman before oral sex during pregnancy. A man should support his wife, give her a joyful feeling of a “wonderful period,” and only on a positive note, if both parties wish to engage in this type of intimacy.

Many couples to add variety to intimate life, use anal sex during pregnancy. This stands alone possible option sharing pleasure. However, not all future parents wonder whether it is possible to engage in anal sex during pregnancy.

Some resort to this type of sexual pleasure only during the period of bearing a child, because it strongly resembles standard sexual intimacy.
Moreover, a woman’s tissue elasticity increases, so insertion of the penis becomes virtually painless.
The expectant mother has a high sensitivity of hemorrhoids, which allows her to experience more pleasant sensations during anal sex during pregnancy.

However this type love pleasures are considered the most dangerous:

If you have had bleeding or spotting in the early months of pregnancy, your doctor will likely advise you to abstain from sex until at least 14 weeks pregnant. If you haven’t had any discharge and everything is going fine, then you don’t have to injure yourself at all in making love.

You can have sex during pregnancy right up to the birth itself, and there will be no harm to the baby. After you have an orgasm, you may feel the baby moving in your stomach, but this is not because he is uncomfortable or ill, he just hears his mother's heart begin to beat faster.

Many pregnant women early stages They don’t feel their best, they have nausea, fatigue, stress and anxiety. Sexual desire does not arise so often. In the later stages, the woman begins to feel much better, and therefore sexual attraction to her returns.

Men also sometimes do not want to have sex with a pregnant woman. This is largely due to the fact that representatives of the stronger half of humanity are afraid of harming their beloved and baby. In some cases, this may also be due to the fact that men are not attracted to the changed appearance pregnant.

The longer the pregnancy, the more uncomfortable the position in which the man is on top will be. In this case, you will have to experiment, you need to choose a position in which both you and your partner will enjoy.

In the third trimester, caresses should be more gentle, otherwise you may feel discomfort. In the later stages, you also need to take into account the fact that when a woman has sex, the hormone oxytocin can enter her blood, which prepares the cervix for childbirth. Directly in the last weeks, this hormone can trigger the appearance of contractions. Ejaculation also contributes to premature birth. The fact is that semen contains prostaglandins, which cause uterine contractions. If your pregnancy is progressing normally, then this does not pose any risks.

If you have previously had miscarriages or premature births, your doctor may advise you not to have sex in the last trimester of pregnancy.

In some cases, a woman may refuse sex completely. In principle, this is normal. The main thing is to discuss the current situation with your partner so that there are no offenses or misunderstandings between you.

Can I have sex and will it harm my baby?

Surely, every pregnant woman asks a serious question: “Can I have sex and will it harm my baby? There are two points of view on this important issue. Some believe that it is better not to have sex, others say that it is even necessary.

Statistics show that in European countries Pregnant women need to have sex at least once a week. Russian experts recommend that a woman analyze how far along she is.

And now the long-awaited moment has come - the pregnancy test shows positive result. It seems that everything else is simple - nine months will pass and the most important meeting in a woman’s life will take place. Meeting her child. But before that, you still have to live a small, separate life, where you need to follow a routine and think first of all about the interests of the future baby. But you need to be careful not only in routine matters, but also in intimate matters.

Is it possible for pregnant women to have sex in the early stages?

After all, it seems that what prevents a woman in the first trimester of pregnancy from living a normal life? full life and fully enjoy the joys of sex? Nothing, but only if the expectant mother feels normal and comfortable.

To have sex or not to have sex in the early stages of pregnancy is a purely non-standard question that cannot be answered with a definite answer. External signs, that is, there is no huge belly yet. But there are changes in the soul and worldview of a pregnant woman. It is not one’s own desires that come to the fore, but the interests of the little lump that grows inside day after day.

Doctors advise to refrain from violent sex and choose calmer leisure time. The first three months of pregnancy are dangerous period and in short periods, miscarriages most often occur. From a medical point of view, having sex during the first twelve to fourteen weeks of pregnancy is contraindicated for those expectant mothers who have health problems, such as placenta previa, cervical insufficiency, threatened miscarriage, sexually transmitted diseases or bleeding. In addition, if a woman feels unwell, suffering from toxicosis, dizziness, pain in the lower back or chest, then she is unlikely to think about sex. In this case, the man should not be offended and demand that his marital duty be fulfilled, but should support his beloved.

If everything is in order, there are no health concerns, there is no threat to the baby, the mood is at the highest level and you want to have sex - then there are no taboos, you just need to choose positions that are comfortable for two partners. It should be noted that it is not advisable for a pregnant woman to lie on her back. So, goodbye missionary, and hello diversity. Although even here you need to be as careful as possible so as not to squeeze your stomach. After all, when having sex early months pregnancy has its advantages. This has a good effect on the elasticity of the muscles of the uterus and vagina, women experience a stronger orgasm, there is no need to think about using protection and you can relax as much as possible. And sperm also feed the embryo, so to speak, with the necessary nutrients, which helps its development.

When should you not have sex during pregnancy?

Whatever it is, it is important to consult with your doctor, do an ultrasound on time and listen to your own desires. After all, if the mother is happy, the baby will be happy too. It’s not for nothing that they say that only the woman who is loved can get true pleasure from sex, and all because it begins and ends in a woman’s head. Therefore, it is very important to have and feel complete psychological comfort during carnal pleasures. And not only in the early stages of pregnancy.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, a woman does not experience strong sexual desire for her man. This is due to the restructuring of the body and its adaptation to new conditions. Toxicosis also plays an important role, as well as psychological characteristics pregnant. The thing is that a woman, afraid of harming her child, simply refuses love pleasures. But human physiology, on the contrary, recommends regular sex in the early stages of pregnancy, since it is during this period that a woman’s intimate place becomes the most sensitive. The period between 14 and 28 weeks is characterized by the pregnant woman’s adaptation to the changes occurring in her body. It is because of this hormonal explosion that a pregnant woman has a greater need for sexual relations.

But there is still a period when you need to be careful and be more attentive to your feelings. In the later stages, pain may appear during sexual intercourse, this indicates an incorrectly chosen position. In this case, it is better to stop everything and postpone it to a more suitable moment for your body.

If pain occurs in the early stages of pregnancy, of course, in this case it is necessary to be wary and identify the cause of this pain. In addition to all this, from the 38th week the pregnant woman begins to prepare for childbirth. After all, every wrong movement can provoke them and cause contractions.

Women who are about to C-section. A ban on sexual relations can only be given to you by your attending physician after numerous examinations and a thorough examination.

Marital relations during pregnancy

Many expectant fathers claim that they are ready to completely refuse to have sex during their wife’s pregnancy, so that God forbid? do not harm the fetus.

A fairly well-known magazine about relationships between spouses, the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, decided to publish the results of a sociological survey that was able to reveal the real attitude of the male sex on the frequency of intimate contacts with his wife during pregnancy. It turns out that the men’s answers go against all known stereotypes about their constant dependence on sex and their insatiability.

Approximately 81% of respondents are not only ready, in general, to reduce the frequency of sexual relations with their pregnant wife, but often they themselves are the initiators of this abstinence. Expectant fathers refrain from sex during pregnancy, because they are really afraid of harming the health of the unborn baby, or of provoking premature birth. Men also claim that such abstinence does not in any way affect the strength of the marital relationship.

This study involved 105 guys from 20 to 46 years old and their other halves were nine months pregnant at the time of this survey. Sexual relations during pregnancy

Experts, commenting on these results, explain that when pregnancy proceeds without any complications, this is not a reason to completely abandon the intimacy of the spouses, but it is advisable to choose positions so that there is no strong certain pressure on the spouse.

In order to resolve the issue with her husband about the lack of intimacy, a woman simply needs to talk to him and explain everything. But if the husband still has not stopped doubting, then you can take him to your specialist, where she is constantly monitored during pregnancy.

Pathologies during pregnancy when sex is contraindicated

Here are a number of pathologies when having sex during pregnancy is strictly prohibited:

presence of an infectious disease;

threat of miscarriage;

venereal disease in a man;

leakage of amniotic fluid;

bleeding in the uterus;

placental abruption...

If previously there was one categorical opinion about having sex during pregnancy - it’s impossible, today the right to choose is given directly to future parents, in the absence of contraindications and following basic rules of caution. If you are wondering whether pregnant women can have sex, then first of all you should consult a doctor monitoring the pregnancy on this topic. He has objective information about the state of your health and the well-being of the fetus, obtained on the basis of the examination and tests, and will be able to give a specific answer.

The main reasons for the ban on intimacy

Typically, contraindications to sexual activity while pregnant are:

risk of miscarriage,
increased uterine tone, which threatens miscarriage,
periodic bleeding, regardless of its intensity and frequency of occurrence,
a history of problematic pregnancy,
risk of placental abruption,
multiple pregnancy.

In other cases, it is possible to have sexual activity, but you should follow simple recommendations that will help avoid negative consequences:

correct choice of posture - while the stomach has not yet reached large sizes, you can take the classic pose when the man is on top. At later stages, it is recommended to have sex in the spoon position - lying on your side. A woman should not be placed on top, because in this case the penis penetrates too deeply, which can lead to negative consequences. The same applies to the position when the man is behind. You can try the standing pose,
complete confidence in the absence of sexually transmitted infections - this rule applies when it comes to sex without a condom, which married couples increasingly prefer. The fact is that most of the infections present in the body of the expectant mother are transmitted to the baby. To avoid such problems, it is better to discuss with your husband the issue of having him checked by a urologist and taking the necessary tests,
acceptable intensity - too active sex is contraindicated during pregnancy, even if it is progressing normally. This must be remembered to avoid resulting problems.

If we talk about the benefits of sexual activity while carrying a child, then for a woman it is quite noticeable and manifests itself in the following effects:

stimulation of blood circulation, which has a beneficial effect on providing the fetus with nutrients,
improving the emotional state, relieving stress, in which women are in an “interesting position” quite often, worrying about the upcoming birth and other problems,
activation of the processes of excretion of waste products of the fetus,
support physical condition, which will be useful in the upcoming birth.

In the last stages of pregnancy, many women are even strongly recommended by doctors to have unprotected sex with their husbands, in particular when there is a risk of miscarriage. This applies to a period of 38 weeks. The thing is that sperm contains prostaglandins that stimulate the contractility of the uterus. This solution to the problem is much better than drug intervention.

If you are wondering whether pregnant women can have anal sex, then you should abstain from it. The thing is that in this case the risk of developing hemorrhoids, anal bleeding, as well as transmission of an infection that is dangerous for the unborn child and can lead to various pathologies and diseases increases. Accordingly, it is better to look for an alternative method, for example, having oral sex, which in this case is much safer.

When and how often can you have sex if a woman is pregnant?

Many expectant mothers are interested in the question of when it is possible to have sexual activity without a threat to pregnancy and the fetus. In fact, there are no particularly categorical restrictions here. In the first month after fertilization, most women, unaware of their pregnancy, continue to have sex. Although, it is believed that in the first 7 weeks after conception you should still abstain from intimate life, because at this time consolidation occurs ovum, and sexual intercourse can disrupt this process. At the same time, in most cases, when a woman does not know about her situation and continues to lead her usual lifestyle, nothing terrible happens that could threaten pregnancy or the baby.

Why do you need gymnastics for pregnant women and what exercises will help you prepare for childbirth?

The same trend continues throughout the remaining period of gestation. The only condition is compliance with the recommendations discussed above and the absence of contraindications. It is recommended to limit sexual contact after 36 weeks, when the uterus begins active preparation for childbirth. Again, this issue is discussed individually with the doctor, because in some situations additional stimulation of uterine contractility is required.

A doctor monitoring the pregnancy will help you understand whether it is possible to be sexually active during pregnancy. As soon as a woman is registered, she undergoes a full range of studies, which includes laboratory tests and instrumental diagnostics. Based on the data received, the doctor will make a conclusion about the health status of the expectant mother and the course of pregnancy. Then he will be able to tell whether it is worth having sex and how often it can be done.

If a pregnant woman does not have any health problems, then she will not even worry about the question of how long she can have sex with her husband. The only thing that needs to be taken into account is that in the third trimester, taking into account physiological changes, it will become more difficult to have sex, so you will have to reduce the number of sexual acts and reduce their intensity.

It should also be understood that semen contains prostaglandin, which stimulates uterine contractility. This needs to be taken into account when figuring out how many times you can have sex in the last stages of pregnancy.

Expecting your first child is a happy and exciting time for a young family. During this period, future parents worry about the comfort of their heir and protect him in every possible way, trying not to harm him. That is why, when it comes to resolving intimate issues, spouses begin to be tormented by doubts about the safety of sex for the health of the baby. A completely logical question immediately arises: is it possible for pregnant women to have sex with their husband and until when? Medical specialists do not prohibit sexual intercourse, but only if the expectant mother has no contraindications.

During pregnancy, relationships between spouses reach a new level: sexual desire can reach unprecedented heights. This is explained by hormonal changes in the female body. Desire cannot be restrained, and if the doctor does not prohibit intimate life, then for couples expecting a baby, it is not only possible, but also useful.

Eliminate risks: sex during pregnancy without consequences

When a woman learns about the replenishment, traditionally, at a gynecologist’s appointment, she is informed about intimate quarantine during the first two months of pregnancy. Then, if there are no problems, the restrictions are lifted. But if pathologies are detected, the couple must refrain from having sex.

Contraindications to active sexual activity are:

presence of threat of miscarriage
previous miscarriages
periodic bleeding from the vagina
pregnancy with twins or triplets
descended placenta
leaking amniotic fluid
infectious diseases of one of the spouses

If none of this is present, you can safely have sex at any time, right up to childbirth.

The benefits of intimacy at different times

In the first trimester, making love with her husband allows the expectant mother to produce a large number of pleasure hormones that are passed on to the child. Intimate relationships are especially useful for women suffering from toxicosis. Spending quality time with your spouse can be a great substitute for medication.

In mid-pregnancy, sex helps exercise the muscles of the uterus, preparing them for childbirth.

When childbirth is close, moderate sex can become a stimulant. Sperm contains the hormone prostaglandin, which helps soften the muscles and open the cervix.

The fears of some women who refuse sex for fear of harming the fetus are unfounded. They need to know that lovemaking cannot harm the baby - nature has taken care to reliably protect the baby with the help of the abdominal wall, muscles, amniotic fluid and amniotic fluid.