Many couples find themselves wondering if it’s safe to continue having intercourse during pregnancy. In a healthy pregnancy, sex is generally safe. You should check with your health care provider to be sure you are low risk. There are certain higher risk situations in which you may be instructed to abstain from intercourse.
Even if your doctor tells you it’s safe to be intimate, you may not always be in the mood. Desire often changes, depending on the stage of your pregnancy and your individual symptoms. Each woman is different. Some can’t get enough, while others can’t be bothered. Your feelings may change many times over the course of your pregnancy.
For many women, desire changes with each trimester. The first trimester often brings symptoms such as nausea, fatigue and breast tenderness. These symptoms may result in a loss of your sex drive. In the second trimester, many women find these symptoms subside and the desire returns. Then in the third trimester, your growing uterus may make you feel clumsy and not interested.
Sometimes one or both partners may worry about having sex. They may be afraid of hurting the baby. It is common for fathers to feel this way. The baby is well cushioned inside the uterus and amniotic fluid. He or she can’t feel anything, but may be rocked to sleep from the motion. Don’t worry, the baby can’t see or feel the penis!
In a normal, healthy pregnancy, the act of intercourse won’t cause you to go into labor. Although semen does contain prostaglandins, which are sometimes used to induce labor, it isn’t enough to stimulate labor. There are certain high risk situations, such as the danger of preterm labor or changes in the cervix, when you may be advised to avoid intercourse.
Risk factors can include:
* A history of miscarriage
* A risk of miscarriage with this pregnancy.
* History of preterm labor
* Risk of preterm labor with this pregnancy
* Cramping and/or bleeding
* Multiple pregnancies
* Leaking of the amniotic fluid
* Placenta previa
* Problems with the cervix, or dilation
If you are told to refrain from sex or just don’t want it, there are other ways to be intimate. Kissing, cuddling and caressing are good ways to connect and remain close. Soon enough the baby will be here and you can resume your intimacy. Although, as a new mommy, you may be too tired!