Sex during pregnancy – facts and myths. The dangers of sex in pregnancy

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Pregnancy is a very specific period in the life of each couple, associated with waiting for the offspring and preparing for their presence in the relationship. It is extremely important to support each other during this time and keep you feeling well.

Sex During Pregnancy – To Have Sex Or Not?

Most of the time, sex during pregnancy is perfectly safe for everyone involved. The developing baby in the womb is protected both by the amniotic fluid and by the strong muscles of the uterus itself. Sexual activity will not affect your baby in the slightest.

You may also be considering alternative forms of sex. While some alternative sexual activities are perfectly safe for both you and your baby, others may be more harmful to your health.

1. oral sex – during oral sex (i.e. caressing your partner’s genitals with your mouth or tongue), make sure that your partner is not blowing air into the vagina. In some rare cases this can block a blood vessel (air embolism) which can be harmful to both mother and baby.
2. anal sex – Vaginal sex immediately after anal sex should be avoided to prevent the spread of infection-causing bacteria from the rectum into the vagina. Occasionally, pregnant women may experience discomfort during anal sex due to hemorrhoids.

Also remember that any sexual position in which you feel comfortable is completely safe. In the second trimester, however, you’ll likely feel more comfortable in positions that don’t put direct pressure on your back.

See also: Hemorrhoids in pregnancy – causes, symptoms, treatment. Hemorrhoids and natural childbirth

Sex During Pregnancy – Is It Safe For Your Baby?

If the pregnancy is not at risk and there are no additional pathogenic circumstances (for example, bacterial infections or inflammation of the urogenital system of either partner), there are no contraindications to sex during pregnancy.

So where do the popular doubts about this fact come from? This is most likely the real mechanism of prostaglandins in semen causing labor. Therefore, in the case of a threatened pregnancy, vaginal intercourse is indeed discouraged – however, this only applies if there are non-conformities. If your pregnancy is going smoothly, you can have sex without fear or restrictions until the very end.

See: Contractions before childbirth – symptoms, types, diagnosis

Sex during pregnancy – first trimester

The first trimester of pregnancy is special for a woman. The body changes, the belly slowly grows, the symptoms typical of pregnancy appear – for some women it is less and more noticeable. There are morning sickness, vomiting, headaches and decreased libido in some women. Scientific research shows that 20% of pregnant women in the first trimester refuse to have sexual intercourse with their partner due to a decrease in sex drive.

Here is a list of pregnancy symptoms that may affect a decrease in female sex drive:

1. nausea,
2. vomiting,
3. headaches,
4. tiredness,
5. fear of miscarriage or harm to the unborn baby,
6. general discomfort
7. fear of intimate infection,
8. fear of causing contractions.

No wonder pregnancy affects your sex life – a lot happens after all. On the other hand, some women report that they have a greater sex drive than they did before becoming pregnant. So you really don’t know what to experience.

Sex during pregnancy – second trimester

The second trimester is known as the “honeymoon” because all the symptoms of the first trimester, such as nausea, fatigue, etc., usually go away. The second trimester restores all the vitality and vigor that you lost in the first trimester. You may notice some changes in your sex life for the following reasons:

1. hormonal: HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) levels gradually decrease, leading to a better balance of progesterone and estrogen. This significantly reduces the symptoms of nausea and fatigue. As a result, your sex drive will increase, your energy will increase and your well-being will improve,
2. increased libido: many women experience an increase in libido due to increased blood flow to the genitals. Vaginal lubrication and clitoral sensitivity make second-trimester sex very enjoyable.

Most couples often wonder if second-trimester sex is safe, given that things can go wrong during pregnancy. The answer is yes. Having sex in the second trimester is perfectly fine and safe as long as your pregnancy is not in danger. Sex in the second trimester does not harm the fetus or have any negative effects on health.

So make the most of this time with your partner and enjoy the intimacy that can become difficult to achieve after having a baby.

Read: Sleep disturbances in early pregnancy threaten to increase blood pressure in the third trimester

Sex during pregnancy – third trimester

A common worry with sex in the third trimester of pregnancy is the risk of inducing preterm labor. However, studies have shown mixed results and do not confirm any link between early labor and sex. Braxton Hicks contractions, or exercise contractions, are very common in the third trimester of pregnancy. While these may increase temporarily after sexual activity, they are not cause for concern.

If your baby’s head is deep in the pelvis, you may experience pain or spotting during or after sex. Worsening back pain and leg cramps can make third-trimester sex unpleasant or difficult.

Fatigue in the third trimester can make timing difficult (especially if you usually have sex in the evening). Extreme sex positions at this stage of pregnancy can be challenging, so get ready to get creative. You should avoid lying on your back for long periods. Every pregnant woman has a different belly, so try different positions until you find the one that’s right for you and your partner.

Additional symptoms to be expected in the third trimester include increased body temperature, swelling of the extremities, nipple discharge, stretch marks, and sometimes decreased libido. If you feel uncomfortable having sex at this stage or you are just in no mood, tell your partner about your feelings and feelings.

The editorial board recommends: The female reproductive age has increased by two years. This could have health implications

Sex during pregnancy and protection

Due to the concern about the presence of a small amount of a substance that could induce labor in sperm, many couples choose to have intermittent intercourse or to use additional mechanical protection in the form of condoms, thanks to which the ejaculate does not come into direct contact with the vagina.

In many cases this is too much of a precaution, as perfectly healthy couples in a safe pregnancy can really have sex unhindered until they are born. At the same time, there is an additional advantage of the relationship with the protection – the mechanical barrier separating the genitals prevents the transmission of possible bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms that could become the cause of infection and, as a result, inflammation of the woman’s reproductive tract. However, it is only a hygienic prophylaxis, which is not necessary as long as the sexual organs are kept adequately clean.

Sex in Pregnancy – How Does It Affect Your Baby?

The general rule in pregnancy is: what makes a woman happy and healthy at the same time, it also makes the baby healthy and happy. This is true not only with diet, but also with all sorts of other pleasures: massage, a good movie, music… and even sex.

The substances called happiness hormones released during intercourse improve the mood of the future mother, whose emotions are shared by the baby who develops in her. Of course, for it to have such a good effect, sex during pregnancy should be mild and rewarding – by no means painful.

Side positions, during which nothing will press on the tummy, will be appropriate in advanced pregnancy. The prerequisite for great and safe sex in pregnancy is, above all, careful observation of your own body.

See: Well-being before childbirth – harbingers of the upcoming delivery

When to Avoid Sex During Pregnancy?

A midwife or doctor may advise a woman to avoid sexual intercourse during pregnancy if she develops some disturbing symptoms. Here are some of them

1. cervical problems which may increase the likelihood of miscarriage or early labor
2. twin pregnancy,
3. a placenta on the anterior wall of the uterus, in which a placenta partially or completely covers the entrance to the cervix,
4. cervical failure, where the cervix opens prematurely,
5. history of premature birth,
6. significant blood loss or unexplained vaginal bleeding
7. leakage of amniotic fluid.

It is very important for a pregnant woman to protect herself and her baby from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This means using a barrier method of contraception such as condoms.

Sex during pregnancy and cervical failure

Having sex during pregnancy is usually not recommended for women with a failing cervix. This is because of the weak tissue of the cervix that causes premature dilation. During pregnancy, the cervix widens or slowly opens to allow the baby to be pushed out. However, in cases where women suffer from cervical failure, the cervix dilates too early, causing miscarriage or premature birth.

The pressure felt on the cervix during any physical activity, especially sex during pregnancy, can cause the cervix to dilate much earlier, causing premature birth which may result in premature birth or loss of pregnancy. If you’ve been diagnosed with a failed cervix or a weakened cervix, it’s best to avoid sex during pregnancy. However, your doctor can do the examination and advise you best, depending on your specific condition. The good news is that you can go back to normal sex after pregnancy.

Sex during pregnancy – myths

One of the most common myths about sex during pregnancy is that the baby will know that the parents are having sex or will feel it somehow. The truth is that the baby is safely in the amniotic sac, protected by the muscles of the uterus and further separated by mucus in the cervix that prevents sperm from entering the uterus. Not only is the child unable to see or know what is happening, neither will any memory form. It is not uncommon for the fetus to move more after intercourse, which is a normal reaction to the release of hormones and the activity of the uterus.

Another fear is that orgasm will result in premature labor or miscarriage. Although orgasm causes uterine contractions, they are different from those experienced during childbirth. In normal pregnancy, the contractions caused by the orgasm do not pose a threat.