Is it safe to have sex during pregnancy?

If you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you've probably found an abundance of information about sex before pregnancy (as in, having sex in order to conceive) as well as sex after childbirth (general consensus: you should expect a less active sex life when there's a newborn in the house).

But there's less talk about sex during pregnancy, perhaps as a result of our culture's tendency to dissociate expectant mothers from sexuality. Like many parents-to-be, you may have questions about safety of sex and what' is normal for most couples.

Well, what's normal tends to vary broadly, but you can count on the fact that there will certainly be changes in your sex life. Open communication will be a key to a satisfying as well as a safe sexual relationship during pregnancy.

Is Sex During Pregnancy Safe?

Incase you're having a normal pregnancy, sex is considered to be safe during all stages of pregnancy.

A "normal pregnancy" is one that's considered low-risk for complications like miscarriage or pre-term labor. Talk to your doctor, nurse-midwife, or any other pregnancy health care provider if you're unsure about whether you fall into this category.

Of course, just because sex is safe during pregnancy doesn't in any way mean you'll necessarily want to have it. Many expectant mothers realize that their desire for sex fluctuates during different stages in the pregnancy. Many women also find that sex becomes uncomfortable since their bodies get larger.

You and your partner need to have an open communication regarding your sexual relationship. Talk about other ways to satisfy need for intimacy, like kissing, caressing, or may be just holding each other. You also may need to experiment with other positions for sex in order to find those that are most comfortable.

A lot of women find that they lose their desire for sex late in the pregnancy - not only because of their size but also because they're preoccupied with the impending delivery as also with the excitement of becoming a new parent.

When is sex not safe?

There are 2 types of sexual behavior that aren't safe for any pregnant woman:

• If you are engaging in oral sex, your partner should not blow air into your vagina. This can cause an air embolism (a blockage of blood vessel by an air bubble), that can be potentially fatal for the mother and child.
• You should not have sex with a partner whose sexual history is unknown to you or who may be having sexually transmitted diseases like herpes, genital warts, Chlamydia, or HIV. If you become infected, the disease can be transmitted to your baby, with potentially dangerous consequences. If your doctor, nurse-midwife, or pregnancy health care provider anticipates or detects some significant complications with your pregnancy, he or she is likely to advise you against sexual intercourse. The most common risk factors include:
• a history or threat of miscarriage
• a history of pre-term labor (incase you've previously delivered a baby before 37 weeks) or signs that indicate the risk of pre-term labor (like premature uterine contractions)
• unexplained discharge, vaginal bleeding, or cramping
• leakage of amniotic fluid (the fluid which surrounds the baby)
• placenta previa, a condition where in the placenta (blood-rich structure that nourishes the baby) is situated so low that it covers the cervix (the opening of uterus)
• incompetent cervix, which is a condition where in the cervix is weakened and it dilates (opens) prematurely, increasing the risk for miscarriage or a premature delivery
• Multiple fetuses (having twins, triplets, etc.)