There are so many restrictions when you are carrying a new life inside you. Should sex be one such restriction, too? Couples invariably have this question on their minds. “Can we have sex during pregnancy?”, “Will sex harm our baby or induce early labor?” Well, sex is considered safe during a ‘normal pregnancy’, which means one that’s low on risk for complications such as miscarriage or pre-term labor.
Even in the midst of raging hormones, fatigue, and aching pains, most women have the desire for sex. They even experience multiple orgasms. That’s because of the rise in the hormone levels and increased blood flow to the vagina and breasts. However, the sex-desire varies in each stage of your pregnancy and you have a list of dos and don’ts.
First trimester: With fatigue, nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, and tender breasts, perhaps sex is the last thing on a pregnant woman’s mind in the first trimester. Sex is neither enjoyable nor desirable then. Talking about nausea, you might even throw up the moment your husband comes close to you. Listen to what your body is telling you.
Second trimester: As the symptoms of nausea and fatigue reduce, your energy levels increase. You will be desperate for sex more than ever. Same is not the case with everyone as some women may still have low libido. There is more lubricating and have more engorgement in your private parts. You are up for sex any time of the day, which might surprise your husband pleasantly. As your stomach is not yet grown, it will not hinder the act at all.
Third trimester: As your pregnancy progresses, there is reduced interest in sex drive as your tummy gets bigger. You can no longer enjoy sex as you did in your second trimester. You are more tired and anxious as the days to delivery approach close. Sex is not on your mind, and even if you did have it, your fully rounded stomach would make matter tough. Sex, at this time, could only cause more pain.
If your guy is anxious about sex, there’s no reason to worry. Your baby is protected with amniotic sac that forms a soft cushion over the fetus. The cervix is also closed with mucus plug, preventing infection. What’s more is that there is no chance of the penis touching the fetus during intercourse.
