Pregnancy and Sex

Like many things in life, pregnancy can lead to significant changes in sexual relations with your partner and in your sense of sexuality. The emotions that can engulf you during pregnancy can extend to your feelings about sex, as well. One day you might feel amorous; the next day the thought of making love might not be appealing.

It's important for you and your partner to understand that these radically different emotions are normal during pregnancy. For starters, don't be overly concerned that having sex might injure your baby. Generally, sex isn't off limits -- unless your doctor advises you not to engage in sex because you have one of several conditions. These include pre-term labor; any bleeding of uncertain cause; a condition called placenta previa (the placenta is too near or over the cervical opening); the rupture of your water bag; and, depending on your doctor's opinion, a history of miscarriages or signs of the onset of another miscarriage.

Thanks to an increase in hormonal levels, your libido, or sexual desire, could increase during the first trimester. Such urges, however, could be countered by the nausea and fatigue that often affect women early in their pregnancies. After the nausea dissipates, your sexual desire during the second trimester could increase or remain strong. During the third trimester, as your abdomen continues to enlarge, your desires might wane. Also, especially as your breast tissue grows during the first trimester, your breasts might be too sensitive for your partner to touch.

Throughout your pregnancy, you should communicate such concerns and your feelings to your partner. You should try to understand your partner's feelings, too. Keep in mind that certain positions, particularly during your last trimester, might be uncomfortable or impossible. It could be time to experiment with other positions or techniques. Simply being intimate -- holding, cuddling and kissing each other -- can be a wonderful and supportive way to show how much you care for each other during this special time.

What to Do

Follow your instincts in terms of when, how and whether you have sex during your pregnancy. If you are not in a monogamous relationship, practice safer sex by limiting your sexual relations to one partner or by using condoms. Let your doctor know as soon as possible if you or your partner contracts a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Your doctor will screen you for STDs such as chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis B and HIV. STDs can harm you and your baby and can cause birth defects. They can be treated, however. If you have genital herpes lesions that are active at the time of your delivery, your doctor might recommend a cesarean section delivery to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to your newborn. Otherwise, herpes can cause blindness, brain damage or death to your baby. If you have hepatitis B, your baby will need special immunizations following delivery.  If you have HIV you will need to take medications during the pregnancy to reduce the risk of you baby also contracting HIV. Follow your doctor's advice if he or she recommends against sexual relations because of a condition you might have.

Self-care Steps for Sex During Pregnancy

• Communicate regularly with your partner on your feelings about engaging in sex.

• If necessary, consider trying new sexual positions or techniques.

• Practice safer sex by limiting your sexual relations to one partner or by using condoms.

• Avoid inserting vibrators or other objects into your vagina.

• If your partner engages in oral sex, your partner should not blow into the vagina. This can cause an air embolism in your bloodstream that could harm you or your baby.