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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Sex During Pregnancy
In this discussion of sex during pregnancy you will learn
about how pregnancy may affect your feelings about sex and
about the safety of sexual relations during pregnancy.
Sexual relations may include cuddling, intercourse, oral
sex, manual stimulation, and masturbation.
In a normal pregnancy without complications, sexual
intercourse is safe and will not harm you or the baby. It
is rare for intercourse to cause a miscarriage. If you do
not have a history or signs of miscarriage or premature
labor, you may continue to have intercourse until your due
date. However, when you reach your ninth month, ask your
doctor if you and your partner may continue to have sexual
relations before the birth of the baby. If you have
questions about your form of sexual expression, ask your
doctor.
Changes in Sexuality
It is perfectly normal for your feelings and your partner's
feelings about sex to change during your pregnancy. At
times your desire for sex may increase. At other times one
or both of you may feel less interested in sex. There is no
common pattern for when couples feel more or less interested
in sex. However, there are some factors during the
different phases of pregnancy that can influence sexual
desire:
- During the first trimester extreme tenderness of the
breasts, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and fears of
miscarriage may decrease a woman's sexual desire. For
some couples, knowledge of the pregnancy increases the
closeness and sexual desire that they feel.
- In the second trimester, many women have an increased
interest in sex. Nausea, fatigue, and fears of
miscarriage are usually over. Another possible
explanation is the increased blood supply to the pelvic
area, which can mimic sexual arousal.
- During the third trimester, either partner may feel
awkward about the woman's enlarged abdomen. Some women
may feel unattractive because of the physical changes of
late pregnancy. Parents may worry that sex will harm the
baby. Occasionally, husbands may resent all the
attention their wives give to preparation for the birth.
Any of these factors may decrease sexual desire.
However, it is also possible to feel a special closeness
and excitement that increases sexual desire.
Make sure that you and your partner share your feelings with
each other. Many women find that they need more affection,
closeness, and tenderness during pregnancy. Intercourse is
not the only form of sexual expression. Other forms of
intimacy can be equally satisfying.
Different Positions
As your pregnancy progresses and your abdomen becomes large,
sex may become uncomfortable. During the last few months
avoid excessive pressure on your abdomen. Also, deep
penetration of your partner's penis may be painful. Try
the following positions for greater comfort:
- woman on top
- rear entry position
- facing each other while lying on your sides.
Limitations
There are some conditions under which your doctor may advise
you to limit or avoid sex during your pregnancy. These
conditions include:
- a history of miscarriage, premature labor, or premature
delivery
- cramps or bleeding
- infection
- pain with intercourse
- leaking fluid or breaking of your bag of water.
Many pregnant women feel some brief abdominal cramping after
intercourse. Contact your doctor if the cramping worsens or
continues with rest one hour after intercourse. Bleeding
may occur infrequently after intercourse. It should always
be painless (that is, less painful than the cramps you feel
during menstruation). The bleeding should stop soon after
you rest off your feet. If the bleeding does not stop, call
your doctor. Call your doctor any time you think you have
broken your bag of water. You should stop having
intercourse until you have been checked by your doctor.
Precautions
If you have oral sex, remember that air should not be blown
into the vagina. This can cause an air bubble to get into
your bloodstream, which can be fatal to you and your baby.
Whatever form of sexual expression you choose, it is
important to have only one partner. Women who have more
than one sexual partner have a greater risk of getting a
sexually transmitted disease. These diseases are dangerous
for both you and your baby.
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