Can I Have Sex During Pregnancy?

Whether to have sex during pregnancy is a question in the mind of many pregnant women. In fact, as long as the pregnant woman and the fetus develop normally and healthy, they can maintain normal sexual behavior during pregnancy. Intimate physical contact can even reduce prenatal depression. When should pregnant women avoid sex during pregnancy? Here are your must-read DO's and DON'Ts for having sex while pregnant.

Should You Avoid Sex During Pregnancy?

Many couples are extra cautious during pregnancy, greatly reducing or even completely avoiding sexual activity, worrying that too much force during sexual activity will harm the fetus. In addition, there are also sayings that they cannot have sex before the 3rd month of pregnancy.

In fact, pregnant women are prone to embryo implantation instability in the first 3 months of pregnancy. In addition, morning sickness and nausea symptoms are often more serious during this stage, and the body is prone to discomfort. Therefore, it may not be suitable for sexual behavior. After 3 months, pregnant women and fetus's development is normal and healthy, and normal sex can be maintained during pregnancy. The situations that are not suitable for sexual behavior during pregnancy include:

• Previous preterm births, miscarriages, or multiple pregnancies
  Women with a history of miscarriage, premature birth, recurrent miscarriage, or multiple births in the past may be weaker and prone to unstable embryo implantation. It is best to consult an obstetrician and gynecologist during routine checkups and get advice on having sex
  
  
• Have cervical and placental problems
  If the cervix is ​weak or ​incompetent, there is low-lying placenta, episodes of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, or the pregnant woman is at risk of placental abruption, the obstetrician and gynaecologist may suggest temporarily avoiding sex during abruption, the obstetrician and pregnancy.
  
  
  
• Discomfort during pregnancy sex
  During sexual intercourse while pregnancy, if the woman experiences abdominal pain, discomfort, vaginal bleeding, water breaks, etc., it is abnormal. please stop the sexual intercourse immediately and make an appointment with an obstetrician and gynecologist as soon as possible.
  
  
• 36 weeks of pregnancy
  Vaginal intercourse should be avoided after 36 weeks of pregnancy to prevent premature rupture of membranes

What Positions Are Recommended For Pregnancy Sex?

If there is no morning sickness in early pregnancy, various sex positions can be adopted until the abdomen bulges in the second trimester. During sex, pressure on the abdomen should be avoided, and the movements should not be too violent. In the late pregnancy, the abdomen swells, and pregnant women may experience back pain and increased pressure in the lower abdomen. At this stage, pregnant women can have sex while lying on their sides to reduce stress. Other ways to satisfy their sexual desires is through non-penetrative sex such as touching, massaging, and caressing. Partners may ultilise fingers or sex toys to this effect.

Safe positions during pregnancy:

• Early pregnancy (0 to 12 weeks)
  Any normal position, the man should avoid hitting the abdomen too violently
• Second trimester (13 to 27 weeks)
  Spoon style: both men and women lie on their sides. The man inserts from behind to control the depth without oppressing the abdomen
  Female top and male bottom: Also known as "cowgirl style", the female side faces the man, and the insertion depth is controlled from the top
  Reverse Cowgirl: The woman sits on top but turns her back to the man, controlling the depth of penetration from above.
  Men Entry: Also known as "paparazzi style", the woman kneels on the bed, and the man controls the depth of penetration from behind, a pillow can be placed under the woman's abdomen to reduce pressure
  
  
• Late pregnancy (28 to 40 weeks)
  Kissing and caressing the head and neck, massaging the male genitalia

Due to the weakened immunity and weak resistance of pregnant women during pregnancy, they are more prone to urinary tract infection or vaginal infection. The use of condoms is recommended for partners that may be suffering from undiagnosed or frank sexually transmitted disease or is not in a monogamous relationship. 

Positions and behaviors to avoid:

• Avoid the "man on woman" missionary position, which tends to suppress blood flow to pregnant women and babies, especially after 20 weeks
• Avoid any pressure on the abdomen or dangerous movements
• Do not blow into the vagina, as this may cause an air embolism in the pregnant woman
• Oral sex for pregnant women to maintain oral hygiene to avoid bacterial infection

If you experience bleeding, water breakage, or discomfort during pregnancy, stop having sex and seek medical attention immediately.

Pregnancy Sex Boosts Happiness For Pregnant Women

Maintaining an active sexual life during pregnancy is good for both the pregnant woman and her husband. Libido in women increases in pregnancy due to the increased hormone secretion and pelvic cavity and vaginal congestion after pregnancy, women often have a great increase in libido. It is very beneficial to relieve pregnancy discomfort and tension:

• Easy Orgasm
  Increased blood flow to the genitals and increased number of orgasms in pregnant women
  
  
• Stay in Shape
  Sex Burns Calories, Helps Stay Active
  
  
• Maintain Intimacy
  Sexual behavior brings couples closer together, orgasm releases endorphins, which can also help pregnant women and fetuses feel happy and relaxed, and reduce the chance of prenatal depression
  
  
• Strengthen the immune System
  Sexual activity increases IgA antibodies that protect against colds and other infections, study finds

Some pregnant women worry that sexual arousal will cause uterine contraction and affect the fetus, but in fact, if the pregnant woman has no history of premature labor and miscarriage, orgasm will only cause temporary hypoxia to the fetus and will not affect the fetus.

If the fetus is developing normally and healthy, normal sexual behaviour can be maintained during pregnancy. If you have questions about sexual behaviour during pregnancy, consult your family doctor or obstetrician.

Read More

• Why Is Iron Important for Pregnancy?
• What Prenatal Vitamins Should I Take?
• Can Severe Morning Sickness Hurt the Baby?

References

1. Cadman, B. (2019, February 22). Sex during pregnancy: Safety tips, positions, effects, and information. Medicalnewstoday.com. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321648

2. Good Doctor Web. (2021a, December 1). Pregnant Can Have Sex? What do I need to notice? Doctor: Can, But, Avoid in these ４ conditions！. Good Doctor Web. https://gooddoctorweb.com/post/1148

3. China Times. (2021b, December 6). Sex during pregnancy These positions are better! 4 The situation is absolutely impossible. Health - China Times. https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20211206000009-260418?chdtv

4. Family Health Service - Healthy Sex Life Before and After Childbirth. (2017). Gov.hk. Retrieved August 30, 2022, from https://www.fhs.gov.hk/tc_chi/health_info/woman/15684.html

5. You can still enjoy sex while pregnant. (2003, November 14). Apple Daily. https://www.appledaily.com.tw/skipped-tw/20031114/RNSYGM7D6RKF4KB7ETTMPVUADQ/

6. Yahoo News. (2016, August 3). Is it okay for pregnant mothers to have sex? 10 big questions answered at once. Yahoo News. https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E5%AD%95%E5%AA%BD%E5%92%AA%E6%80%A7%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB%E8%A1%8C%E4%B8%8D%E8%A1%8C-10%E5%A4%A7%E5%95%8F%E9%A1%8C-%E6%AC%A1%E8%A7%A3%E7%AD%94-020908048.html

7. Health.tvbs. (2020, June 12). Can I enjoy sex while pregnant? Obstetrics and gynecology famous doctor warns that 2 things may lead to premature birth. Health.tvbs. https://health.tvbs.com.tw/regimen/324117