TIPS FOR SEX DURING PREGNANCY

There still exists and enduring myth that sex during pregnancy is somehow unsafe. Let's dispel that right now. Sex during pregnancy is perfectly safe because the human body is armed with miraculous ways of protecting itself. The baby is busy floating around in amniotic fluid, fully encapsulated within the walls of the uterus. There’s a cervix and some mucus and all sorts of other mysterious things that create roadblocks to external infection. You are not exerting pressure on the baby during intercourse via penetration. No man’s penis is going to be large enough to have an impact (sorry, gentleman, but that’s actually a positive in the ‘pro’ column!). That being said, you could be making the mother-to-be uncomfortable in the wrong position. So it’s usually not a matter of “if,” but “how?”

Missionary might not be the easiest, even though it seems like just lying on your back would be the most simplistic activity possible for a pregnant woman. Lower back pain and the emerging baby bump may dictate that you need to get a little more creative when having sex. This is a great time for the woman to be on top controlling the process and the level of penetration. Sex from behind also works, just use a few pillows placed strategically under the woman’s belly, chest and hips, for comfortable stability. A side-by-side spooning is popular during late pregnancy or try it scissors style, with your legs in an X position. These are well suited for the latter stage of the third trimester when the belly is at it’s biggest.

There are many ways to help rather than hinder sex during pregnancy. A sexy massage can put someone in the mood, while also addressing backaches and tired, swollen feet. Lubricants can make the difference when dry conditions occur, but many women experience a libido boost with the rise of estrogen and progesterone. This hormonal shift gradually increases blood flow to the area and vaginal lubrication surges can happen as well. Sometimes the combination will heighten the sensation of intercourse, making sex even better! Many women report more intense orgasms while pregnant, and some achieve multiple orgasms for the first time! Breasts may become sensitive and require a gentle touch though, so go more with soft rubbing and less with aggressive squeezing during this time period. Follow what the body tells you.

Naturally, there are other limitations that have nothing to do with the safety of the baby inside. Exhaustion and nausea in early months may not exactly make a girl feel sexy. Hormonal fluctuations can zap desire and weight gain...ditto. A sex embargo may occur when a pregnancy is high risk, so always speak to a doctor to establish whether or not sex could become problematic. If bed rest is prescribed, assume you should be relaxing...sleeping...resting...not having sex. Occasionally women can experience pelvic inflammation and pain prior to the due date, so in that case it’s usually best to just take a break until after the baby delivers and the body has time to heal properly.

Lastly, it’s as important as ever to use a condom if you have concerns about any partner who could transmit. It’s crucial to shield both mother-to-be and baby from STD’s. Although it can be very freeing not having to deal with contraception, pregnancy is a time to be exceedingly cautious when it comes to bacterial and viral infections.