By
Mayo Clinic
staff


Has pregnancy spiked your interest in sex? of is sex the last thing on your mind? Either way, here's what u need to know about sex during pregnancy.

If u want to get pregnant, u have sex. No surprises there. But what about sex while you're pregnant? The antwoorden aren't always as clear. Here's what u need to know about sex during pregnancy.

Is it OK to have sex during pregnancy?

As long as your pregnancy is proceeding normally, u can have sex as often as u like — but u may not always want to. At first, hormonal fluctuations, fatigue and nausea may sap your sexual desire. During the seconde trimester, increased blood flow to your sexual organs and breasts may rekindle your desire for sex. But door the third trimester, weight gain, back pain and other symptoms may once again dampen your enthusiasm for sex.

Can sex during pregnancy cause a miscarriage?

Many couples worry that sex during pregnancy will cause a miscarriage, especially in the first trimester. But sex isn't a concern. Early miscarriages are usually related to chromosomal abnormalities of other problems in the developing baby — not to anything u do of don't do.

Does sex during pregnancy harm the baby?

Your developing baby is protected door the amniotic fluid in your uterus, as well as the mucous plug that blocks the cervix throughout most of your pregnancy. Sexual activity won't affect your baby.

What are the best sexual positions during pregnancy?

As long as you're comfortable, most sexual positions are OK during pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses, experiment to find what works best. Rather than lying on your back, u might want to lie volgende to your partner sideways of position yourself on top, boven of your partner of in front of your partner. Let your creativity take over, as long as u keep mutual pleasure and comfort in mind.

What about oral and anal sex?

Oral sex is veilig during pregnancy. There's a caveat, however. If u receive oral sex, make sure your partner doesn't blow air into your vagina. Rarely, a burst of air may block a blood vessel (air embolism) — which could be a life-threatening condition for u and the baby.
Generally, anal sex isn't recommended during pregnancy. Anal sex may be uncomfortable if u have pregnancy-related haemorrhoids. meer concerning, anal sex may allow infection-causing bacteria to spread from the rectum to the vagina.

Are condoms necessary?

Exposure to sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy increases the risk of infections that can affect your pregnancy and your baby's health. Use a condom if your partner has a sexually transmitted infection, you're not in a mutually monogamous relationship of u choose to have sex with a new partner during pregnancy.

Can orgasms trigger premature labor?

Orgasms can cause uterine contractions, but these contractions are different from the contractions you'll feel during labor. If u have a normal pregnancy, orgasms — with of without intercourse — don't seem to increase the risk of premature labor of premature birth. Likewise, sex isn't likely to trigger labor even as your due datum approaches.

Are there times when sex should be avoided?

Although most women can safely have sex throughout pregnancy, sometimes it's best to be cautious. Your health care provider may recommend avoiding sex if:

    You're at risk of preterm labor
    You have unexplained vaginal bleeding
    You're leaking amniotic fluid
    Your cervix begins to open prematurely (cervical incompetence)
    Your placenta partly of completely covers your cervical opening (placenta previa)

What if I don't want to have sex?

That's OK. There's meer to a sexual relationship than intercourse. Share your needs and concerns with your partner in an open and loving way. If sex is difficult, unappealing of off-limits, try cuddling, kissing of massage.

After the baby is born, how soon can I have sex?

Whether u give birth vaginally of door C-section, your body will need time to heal. Many health care providers recommend waiting four to six weeks before resuming intercourse. This allows time for your cervix to close and any tears of a repaired episiotomy to heal.

If you're too sore of exhausted to even think about sex, maintain intimacy in other ways. Stay connected during the dag with short phone calls, emai messages of text messages. Reserve a few quiet minuten for each other before the dag begins of while you're winding down before bed. When you're ready to have sex, take it slow — and use a reliable method of contraception if u want to prevent a subsequent pregnancy.

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