Sex During Pregnancy

18 Jul

Posted by Admin as Female health

Pregnancy is a time of physical and emotional change. Personal history, symptoms and attitudes about becoming a parent influence the feelings that a woman has about her body and about making love during pregnancy. The pregnancy may alter how a woman and her partner feel about making love, and differences in sexual need may arise. The best way to deal with these differences is to talk, to listen and to be open to each other’s feelings and concerns. In addition, questions about sexual practices and their effect on the baby and the pregnancy should be discussed with a health care provider during prenatal visits.

Talking to your Health Practitioner

Many women find discussing sexual matters with their health practitioner very uncomfortable. However, if you have any questions regarding the changes you are experiencing, your health practitioner may be the best person to respond to your concerns. If he or she does not raise the subject of sex during pregnancy with you, do not feel embarrassed about bringing it up yourself.

Can a couple continue their normal sex life?

Sex and sexual intercourse are not harmful during pregnancy. The foetus lies safely in the womb and occasional movement, contact or orgasms cannot cause it harm. During orgasm, the womb will contract more than usual, but these aren’t the same contractions as those just before delivery. Providing there are no reasons to suspect that the man has a genital infection such as herpes or chlamydia then there is no increased risk of infection to the baby.

Which positions are the most comfortable?

Here are some time-tested positions and tips for making love while you’re pregnant:

Lie sideways. Having your partner on top demands increasingly creative gymnastics as your tummy swells. But lying partly sideways allows your partner to keep most of his weight off your uterus.

Use the bed as a prop. Your bulge isn’t an obstacle if you lie on your back at the side or foot of the bed with your knees bent, and your bottom and feet perched at the edge of the mattress. Your partner can either kneel or stand in front of you.

Safety Precautions

Putting the penis into a well-lubricated vagina will not cause any harm to the baby. However, a couple should never put anything else such as a vibrator, inside the woman’s vagina while she is pregnant.

A man should be thoughtful and tender, moving his penis gently inside the vagina without powerful, deep thrusting.

The couple should try more comfortable positions for intercourse instead of men-on-top position.

A Bundle of Worries

You and your partner may worry that intercourse can endanger you or the baby. In most cases, it is safe to continue to make love throughout pregnancy. This is something that you should confirm with your caregiver to put your mind at ease. Couples are usually told to avoid sex only if your water has broken, if there is or has been bleeding, if it is painful for the woman, or if there have been any warning signs of miscarriage or preterm labor.

Worries that your partner’s weight on top of your abdomen can hurt the baby or cause you discomfort can be remedied by use of a variety of positions such as side lying and hands and knees positions. Further discomfort can be avoided by gentler, more shallow penetration of the penis into the vagina. Remember, the baby is protected by the cushioning effect of the amniotic fluid and the seal provided by the amniotic sac and cervical mucus.