Sex during pregnancy

Author: obstetrician-gynecologist Victoria Shpachenko

Sex is one of the main components of a strong relationship in a couple. When there is no child, a man and a woman live for their own pleasure and intimacy is usually given great importance.

With the onset of pregnancy, sex often takes a back seat in couples. Most of the initiators of this are women. Why?

1. A woman worries whether intimate life will interfere with the development of the fetus. The most common questions from patients to gynecologists are: "will the baby suffer?", "will sex provoke a miscarriage?", "will there be any complications?".
2. A woman does not feel well during pregnancy.
3. There is no desire.

obstetrician-gynecologist Victoria Shpachenko.

With a normal physiological pregnancy, intimacy is not dangerous. The fetus is securely protected in the mother's tummy, so it cannot be harmed during sex. Intimate life does not provoke a frozen pregnancy. This is usually caused by a chromosomal pathology or hereditary thrombophilia.

Contraindications

However, there are a number of contraindications in which it is better to abstain from sex. Among the absolute ones:

• bleeding at any time;
• placenta previa;
• isthmic-cervical insufficiency.

Relative contraindications include inflammatory diseases. With such diseases, the vaginal mucosa is especially vulnerable. Even the most harmless bacteria can provoke the development of an infection that is dangerous not only for the mother, but also for the baby. Therefore, it is better to postpone sex until recovery.

Feeling unwell

Indeed, during pregnancy, a woman can often feel unwell. Toxicosis or just general malaise. Of course, in such cases, intimacy should be postponed until the condition is normalized.

Lack of desire

Lack of desire is a fairly common phenomenon in women during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. Especially in the first trimester. In the second trimester, on the contrary, the desire may increase. During this period, the body releases especially a lot of progesterone, the woman becomes more sensitive, and orgasms become brighter. In the third trimester, the expectant mother's stomach increases greatly, shortness of breath appears. Sex during this period can be uncomfortable and not arouse desire. But, of course, every woman is unique. And it is impossible to predict how pregnancy will affect her body and attraction to a partner.

Therefore, there are no arguments in favor of giving up sex from a medical point of view. Moreover, sex during pregnancy is even beneficial.

Firstly, it improves blood flow, and secondly, it gives the expectant mother positive emotions. Both have a good effect on the baby.

How do I explain to my partner if I don't want to have sex?

Another common question of pregnant women.

Pregnancy doesn't change anything for a man. He still needs feminine care, affection, and desires intimacy with his woman, and it can be difficult for him to understand rejection.

If intimacy is contraindicated for medical reasons: Don't forget that sex includes gentle touching, caressing, kissing, and flirting. Talk to your partner about what you and he would like. It is quite possible that you will find exactly the form of intimacy that will bring pleasure to both of you and will be safe for the baby.

If you do not want sex because of poor health or hormonal changes, explain to the man that this refusal is temporary. During the 9 months of carrying a baby, your well-being will surely change many times. Therefore, there will definitely be periods when you can give your spouse the affection he wants. And, of course, do not forget about taking care of him and paying attention to yourself. It is very pleasant for a man to have a well-groomed, beautiful and confident woman next to him.

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