Sexuality during pregnancy
Pregnancy can have an impact on an individual’s or couple’s sex life. Sexual desire and the frequency of sexual relations may increase, decrease, or vary during pregnancy. The changes in the body or the new perception you have of yourself and your partner as parents rather than lovers can create feelings that affect sexual desire.
Various factors, including medical contraindications, discomfort, personal limits, a greater desire for simple tenderness, or a growing belly, may lead you to set aside certain sexual practices or try new ones.
Pleasure, whether physical or psychological, may be experienced differently by each partner during pregnancy. For example, you and your partner may not have the same ability to reach orgasm, the same degree of sensitivity, or the same feeling of closeness.
In some situations, however, you may be advised not to have penetrative sex; for example, if you have bleeding, abdominal pain, or problems with the placenta, or if there is concern about premature labour or a rupture of the amniotic membranes. Your prenatal care team will be able to advise and guide you on this.
During pregnancy, it is important to protect yourself against sexually transmitted infection (STIs). Use the condom or dental dam (latex sheet) if you have sexual relations where there is a risk of contracting an STI. This will prevent the infection from being transmitted and avoid the complications it can cause you and your baby.
You may have some concerns about sexual activity while pregnant, but you can have sex without worry: neither vaginal penetration nor orgasm during pregnancy cause miscarriage and they will not lead to premature labour or hurt your baby. The baby is well protected inside the amniotic sac in the uterus.