Many people’s sex drive changes during pregnancy. Some couples find that they want sex less and others find themselves wanting it more.
Whether you’re feeling more or less sexual desire during pregnancy, it’s safe to have sex, unless your doctor has told you not to. Just be sure to use barrier contraception to prevent STIs.
Increased Risk of Miscarriage
Some women may feel that they can’t have sex during pregnancy because they fear that it will cause their baby to miscarry. However, it is important to remember that sex does not increase the risk of early miscarriage in most uncomplicated pregnancies. The fetus is protected by the strong muscles of the uterus, amniotic fluid, and a mucus plug that develops around the cervix in most cases. In fact, a miscarriage is more likely to occur due to other causes than sex during pregnancy.
In the first trimester, a woman’s sex drive will probably decrease or fluctuate due to her body’s changes. Women may find that they want sex more in the second trimester or they may not.
For women who do want sex, they should always use a condom to protect themselves and their partners from sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). They should also wash their hands before and after intercourse. This will minimize their risk of catching an infection that could hurt their child.
Increased Risk of Preterm Birth
Women often find their sex drive diminishes or they are just not up for it during pregnancy. However, it is safe for most couples to continue having sex as long as they use protection such as a condom or anal barrier and only do so after the first trimester when risk of miscarriage has passed. It is also a way to maintain a close emotional connection with your partner.
In some cases, your doctor may advise you to abstain from sex during the third trimester due to increased risk of prematurity. This is because the membranes that line the cervix are fragile at this stage and rupture easily with activity such as orgasm. However, studies have shown no link between sexual activity and prematurity or early labor in normal healthy pregnancies.
In fact, one study found that women who had sex during the third trimester delivered more quickly than those who didn’t. This is probably because sex boosts your mood and increases cardiovascular blood flow which can pass the mood boost to your baby.
Increased Risk of Blood Clots
Having sex is not only healthy for you, but it also helps the baby grow and develop. It’s important for your partner to use a condom to protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. These can include HIV and herpes. These are not only harmful to you but can also cause miscarriage and other health problems for your baby.
If you have an infection, you should not have sex until you’re treated and cleared by your doctor. Women with weakened immune systems are more likely to contract infections during sexual intercourse. This is especially true if the woman has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS.
Having sex during pregnancy can cause some side effects, including a change in vaginal lubrication, sore breasts and cramping. Some women even experience a decrease in their desire for sex as their pregnancy progresses and their hormones change. During oral sex, it’s possible for an air bubble to obstruct one of the blood vessels in the uterus. This can lead to a life-threatening condition called an air embolism. This is why it’s important to have good communication with your partner when you’re having sex.
Increased Risk of Hemorrhage
In most cases, it’s perfectly safe to continue having sex throughout pregnancy, provided there are no complications. But your OB-GYN will advise you of when it’s appropriate to stop, depending on your risk level and whether you have an existing medical condition.
If you’re in the first trimester, it’s especially important to use birth control and avoid oral sex. This is because the sperm that enters the mouth can carry an air bubble that could obstruct a blood vessel in the vagina, leading to a fatal hemorrhage for you and your baby.
This is a very rare complication, but it can happen if the woman has an infection or if the cervix has not closed after childbirth. It is also a risk if the mother has a uterus that is too large, or if she had a C-section and has a scar on her abdomen.
Increased Risk of Birth Defects
Whether pregnancy spikes a couple’s interest in sex or makes it the last thing on their minds, there are many ways for couples to feel intimate during pregnancy. Open communication is the key to a satisfying relationship during this time, as well as trying different positions.
It’s also important to know that if you do have sex, it won’t cause your body to go into labor, unless your practitioner advises you not to, such as in the case of an abnormally low-risk pregnancy or a placenta problem. The muscles that contract during orgasm are different from those used in labor, and there is no evidence that sex can trigger labor.
Having orgasm can also enhance sexual pleasure during pregnancy for some people, due to increased blood flow to the vulva and the oxytocin it releases. However, some women may not experience this effect, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. This is normal. It is also recommended that both partners use barrier forms of contraception (such as condoms) during intercourse, as this can protect against STIs.
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