Pregnant women and their partners often wonder whether it is safe to have sexual intercourse during pregnancy. Will it cause a miscarriage? Will it harm the unborn baby? Are there sex positions to avoid? Here are some things you need to know about sexual activity while pregnant.
Is it safe to have sexual intercourse during pregnancy?
Sex is a natural part of pregnancy. Movement of penetration and intercourse will not harm the baby, who the abdominal muscles and uterine wall have protected. The baby in the womb also has a natural protector in the form of amniotic fluid. Therefore, sexual intercourse will not affect the baby's condition if there are no pregnancy complications.
Although contractions due to orgasms are different from labor contractions, sexual intercourse in the last week of pregnancy should be avoided. Not a few doctors believe that the prostaglandin hormone in sperm can stimulate labor contractions.
When Should Sexual Intercourse Be Avoided?
Usually, women with a high risk of under-pregnancy are advised not to have sexual intercourse while pregnant.
- Have a high risk of miscarriage or a history of miscarriage in a previous pregnancy.
- Have a risk of preterm labor (contractions before 37 weeks of gestation).
- Bleeding from the vagina, vaginal discharge, or cramping for no known reason.
- There is a leak in the amniotic fluid, or the membranes rupture.
- Have the condition of placenta previa.
- Pregnant with twins or more.
Placenta previa is a condition when the placenta partially or completely blocks the birth canal.
Sexual Arousal During Pregnancy
Each woman's pregnancy experience is different, including in terms of sex. For some people, sexual desire will disappear when they are pregnant. However, not a few will feel more excited. During pregnancy, a woman's sexual arousal will accompany the changes in the body.
The following are common patterns of female sexual arousal during pregnancy:
- First trimester: nausea, fatigue, or pain in the breasts experienced in early pregnancy will usually make a woman's sexual arousal disappear.
- Second trimester: in this phase, usually sexual desire will increase. Increased blood flow throughout the body due to pregnancy can enhance the experience of orgasm.
- Third trimester: sex may be uncomfortable as labor approaches.
Sex After Pregnancy
The first six weeks after delivery are also referred to as the postpartum period. During this period, sexual intercourse may be the last thing on a woman's mind. This decreased sex drive may be caused by the following:
- Healing from an episiotomy, an incision made during normal delivery.
- Healing from the abdominal incision, cesarean delivery.
- Bleeding is common postpartum, usually occurring 4-6 weeks after delivery.
- Changes in hormone levels in the body.
- Emotional issues, such as postpartum blues, anxiety in parenting, or others.
Baby blues are psychological problems that mothers commonly experience after giving birth.
Sexual intercourse is generally safe after the incision due to childbirth, and the vaginal organs have completely healed. This healing usually takes several weeks. Most doctors will advise at least six weeks after giving birth before having sexual intercourse with a partner. Equally important in making this decision is the perceived emotional and physical readiness.
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Reference:
Taylor, R. B., & Pathak, N. (2021). Sex During and After Pregnancy. [online]. https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/sex-and-pregnancy