Womb to Bloom - Maternity & Beyond

A misconception regarding sex and a pregnant mother is that a pregnant woman has no desire for sex, and that female orgasms are dangerous in some way or another.  Another misconception about intercourse during pregnancy is that the unborn can hear or is otherwise aware of the act. The truth is, the baby is completely protected by the amniotic sac, and the penis will not hurt or come near the baby at all.

It’s normal for expectant parents to feel uncomfortable and anxious about sex during pregnancy because of fears that the unborn baby might somehow be injured or that the mother is experiencing a medical condition that makes her body weak. These are common misconceptions and fears, but unless there are complications with the pregnancy that will make sex dangerous or add a high risk of miscarriage or preterm birth, there is no reason to behave any differently about sex during pregnancy.

Sexual intercourse is perfectly safe throughout the pregnancy, although there are situations in which sex and orgasm should be avoided. Some reasons that will require the parents to avoid sex may be discussed with or advised by the doctor.

Because STD’s can be transmitted from mother or father to the unborn, if either of you have an active STD, sex should be avoided, including oral sex. If your water has broken, sex should be completely avoided, even if labor pains are very weak or not at all or if the amniotic fluid is a small leak.

Other times sexual intercourse should be avoided are; if you have a history of premature labor and/or birth; if your doctor has advised you to avoid sex for any reason; if you are diagnosed with placenta previa or other such high risk condition; If at anytime you experience bleeding avoid intercourse and orgasm until you are checked by your practitioner and he/she gives the ‘go ahead’ to continue sexual relations.

Of course, all of the above mentioned situations should be discussed with your practitioner or midwife.

Each trimester will bring changes to the mother’s body and the baby’s development which effect sexual desire or lack thereof. Some women may feel a diminished sex drive during the first trimester. Between fatigue and nausea as well as tender and sore breasts the desire to be touched may be decreased substantially.

In the second trimester the symptoms of morning sickness will more often than not, disappear. The pregnant woman may feel sexy and desirable again. Physical changes to expect are that your clitoris and vagina are more swollen from the increased blood volume, as well as there will be an increase in vaginal lubrication that can increase pleasure.

Third trimester intercourse will result in increased fears and anxieties in the expectant parents as the size of the mothers belly can make sexual positions difficult and awkward. Sex in the third trimester is safe and will not result in preterm labor, as long as the mother is healthy and the pregnancy is normal, with no complications.

There are many ways to overcome the awkwardness of her large belly, too. A little creativeness can go a long way. There are many positions that can be comfortable and satisfying during third trimester sexual intercourse.

‘Spooning’ is probably the most comfortable position for both the man and the woman. The woman on top can be another option, if the woman does not feel self conscious about how her body looks to her partner in its enlarged state.

Hands and knees is a third position that can easily be accomplished without the large belly in the way. Perhaps a more comfortable position for the expectant mother is laying on her side, pulling her knees up and her partner behind her for rear entry.

Be creative and experiment with touching your partner in new ways.  Understanding and open communication will help you and your partner enjoy a normal and healthy sexual relationship throughout the pregnancy. 

If you and your partner feel comfortable, oral sex and masturbation are alternatives that can result in satisfaction through orgasm. Orgasm has been said to be much easier to achieve during pregnancy, for the pregnant woman.  And many women experience orgasm for the first time during pregnancy.

Female orgasm during pregnancy has been a topic of controversy in the past. It was assumed that female orgasms could result in or be the cause of preterm labor because orgasms cause the uterus to contract.

Many health care providers in the past would advise avoiding orgasms during pregnancy. We know now that the uterine contractions created by orgasm are completely normal and will not lead to preterm labor in healthy women, experiencing healthy pregnancies.

Orgasms are usually very enjoyable, but some women enjoy orgasms more during pregnancy. In reality, orgasms are not only enjoyable but also good for an expectant mother as well as for the unborn baby. When the pregnant woman has an orgasm the baby is not aware of what the mother is doing, but can experience the rush of hormones that the pregnant woman will experience.

Sexual intercourse and orgasm is not only normal, healthy and good for mother and baby, but it can bring satisfaction and pleasure in ways that can not be experienced intercourse prior to pregnancy. There continue to be numerous misconceptions regarding sex and orgasm during pregnancy but the best advice can come from open communication between the expectant parents and their physician.