Making love during pregnancy
- By Declan Tobin
- Published 07/21/2008
- Pregnancy
- Unrated
It is only natural to wonder if making love during pregnancy will affect your baby. For most couples it is safe to continue making love throughout the entire pregnancy. The foetus is protected and well cushioned inside the amniotic sac. This sac protects the baby from semen and infectious organisms. Orgasms and slight movement will not harm the foetus. Breast stimulation and orgasm can cause the womb to contract, but these are not the same contractions a woman will have before delivery so will therefore not cause miscarriage. A woman might experience cramping after intercourse, this is not unusual. If the cramping persists and if there is any spotting, you should seek medical advice. If the man has a genital infection like Chlamydia or herpes, the baby will have an increased risk of infection. It would be a good idea to abstain from love making if this is the case.
A couple’s sexual life can change dramatically when they are pregnant. This is due to the emotional, physical and hormonal changes that occur. The experience will be different for every couple. Very early in the pregnancy, some woman find that they are not in the mood for sex because they are feeling tired, experiencing nausea and breast tenderness. As these symptoms ease, these feelings become less as the pregnancy progresses. The foetus is so small during the first three months of pregnancy that it can’t be seen or felt. After this stage, when the foetus gets a little bigger, making love might feel a little uncomfortable if the man is on top. This is a good time to try some different sexual positions.
With the expanding bump, it is better for the woman to be on top. This leaves you in control of speed and movement and allows you to control the depth of penetration. A very relaxing sexual position during pregnancy is known as spooning. The name comes from the way spoons fit together in a cutlery drawer. The man is behind the woman and enters her from behind from between her thighs. The penetration is shallow and there is no pressure on the abdomen. Another position that has very little direct pressure on the abdomen is when you are on your hands and knees. It might be a little tricky very late on in your pregnancy when your belly is larger and you may have to rest it on the bed. Lying on your side, facing your partner, hold one leg up to make room for your partner. This position might get a little tiring especially later on in your pregnancy. All of the mentioned positions allow for manual clitoral stimulation, increasing your chances of multiple orgasms. You might find that you continue using these positions even after the pregnancy.
During pregnancy there is an increased flow of blood to the pelvis, uterus, vagina and clitoris. This can increase a woman’s pleasure, giving her more intense orgasms. It is also the reason so many pregnant woman have a heightened libido. When you orgasm while pregnant it is actually good for mother and baby. Your baby will experience the same euphoric hormone rush that you experience.
If you do not want to have penetrative sex when you are pregnant, having oral sex is a great alternative. You should not blow air into a woman’s vagina as this can force air into her bloodstream causing an embolism. The embolism could cause a blockage in a blood vessel, which could be fatal to both mother and baby. A woman will have increased discharge during pregnancy, this will do no harm to either party, but you might want to have a shower before you engage in oral sex if it bothers either of you.
During the last few weeks of pregnancy, making love releases the hormone oxytocin into your bloodstream. This hormone helps the cervix in getting ready for labour. It can even trigger contractions in late pregnancy. Semen is rich in natural prostaglandins, this helps the uterus contract. If you are having a normal, healthy pregnancy making love so late in your pregnancy can bring on labour. Your doctor will advise you if you should avoid sexual intercourse in your third trimester.
You need to communicate with your partner when you decide if you are going to make love during pregnancy or not. It takes two, so you both need to feel comfortable and happy.
A couple’s sexual life can change dramatically when they are pregnant. This is due to the emotional, physical and hormonal changes that occur. The experience will be different for every couple. Very early in the pregnancy, some woman find that they are not in the mood for sex because they are feeling tired, experiencing nausea and breast tenderness. As these symptoms ease, these feelings become less as the pregnancy progresses. The foetus is so small during the first three months of pregnancy that it can’t be seen or felt. After this stage, when the foetus gets a little bigger, making love might feel a little uncomfortable if the man is on top. This is a good time to try some different sexual positions.
With the expanding bump, it is better for the woman to be on top. This leaves you in control of speed and movement and allows you to control the depth of penetration. A very relaxing sexual position during pregnancy is known as spooning. The name comes from the way spoons fit together in a cutlery drawer. The man is behind the woman and enters her from behind from between her thighs. The penetration is shallow and there is no pressure on the abdomen. Another position that has very little direct pressure on the abdomen is when you are on your hands and knees. It might be a little tricky very late on in your pregnancy when your belly is larger and you may have to rest it on the bed. Lying on your side, facing your partner, hold one leg up to make room for your partner. This position might get a little tiring especially later on in your pregnancy. All of the mentioned positions allow for manual clitoral stimulation, increasing your chances of multiple orgasms. You might find that you continue using these positions even after the pregnancy.
During pregnancy there is an increased flow of blood to the pelvis, uterus, vagina and clitoris. This can increase a woman’s pleasure, giving her more intense orgasms. It is also the reason so many pregnant woman have a heightened libido. When you orgasm while pregnant it is actually good for mother and baby. Your baby will experience the same euphoric hormone rush that you experience.
If you do not want to have penetrative sex when you are pregnant, having oral sex is a great alternative. You should not blow air into a woman’s vagina as this can force air into her bloodstream causing an embolism. The embolism could cause a blockage in a blood vessel, which could be fatal to both mother and baby. A woman will have increased discharge during pregnancy, this will do no harm to either party, but you might want to have a shower before you engage in oral sex if it bothers either of you.
During the last few weeks of pregnancy, making love releases the hormone oxytocin into your bloodstream. This hormone helps the cervix in getting ready for labour. It can even trigger contractions in late pregnancy. Semen is rich in natural prostaglandins, this helps the uterus contract. If you are having a normal, healthy pregnancy making love so late in your pregnancy can bring on labour. Your doctor will advise you if you should avoid sexual intercourse in your third trimester.
You need to communicate with your partner when you decide if you are going to make love during pregnancy or not. It takes two, so you both need to feel comfortable and happy.
