Having sex during pregnancy is very well possible, it’s even healthy to do and it keeps you in shape. You’re burning a lot of calories and you are training the pelvic floor muscles. It’s also quite enjoyable and fun. This is the time that you and your partner don’t have to use a condom or another form of protection. Having sex during pregnancy is nice and healthy, however it’s not recommended to do when you are experiencing pain. Think of pelvic pain, back issues, or pain caused by pelvic instability. Sex can also be helpful the closer you get to giving birth. Movement in and round the pelvis can cause contractions. Sex can also cause contractions in the last phase of your third trimester. Try to enjoy it together and try out different positions during your pregnancy. A position can feel nice in one week, but won’t work out as much in the other week. The belly is growing fast. Discover a nice position and enjoy making love during pregnancy.
Take a look at my pelvic floor exercises as well, or take a look at the pelvic items in the Pelvic Store.
I’ve stumbled upon a lot of interesting information during my journey of looking for information about sex and pregnancies. I’ve written a lot of articles, including this one, to be able to provide you with clear info that’s accessible from one place. You don’t have to endlessly search to find the answers you’re looking for. Hopefully there’s a lot for you here already. If you’d like to know more, about sex positions while you’re dealing with a pregnant belly or with a variety of pelvic issues like pelvic pain or pelvic instability, feel free to take a look at my other articles!
Feeling frisky during pregnancy
Do you feel like getting it on when you’re pregnant? That depends on a few factors, also on how your libido was pre-pregnancy. In the first 16 weeks, you probably aren’t quite enthused about the thought of having sex. These are also the nauseating weeks. You will have very minimal needs for having physical contact. The hormones are racing through your body and your body is going through a transformation.
However, after this period, a period of partying will arrive. The vagina will have a better blood flow after those nauseating weeks. This will cause you to be aroused and naturally lubricated quicker, since your vagina will produce more moisture. So get it on! Let your partner know what date he has to encircle in red in his agenda!
You will especially crave sex more once you’re about halfway throughout your pregnancy. The start and the ending of this period will be a bit challenging. You will experience nausea in the beginning, and physical fatigue at the end. Your belly has grown out to the max and moving has become difficult. You will feel less comfortable. You’re also quite busy with preparing for childbirth and taking care of everything around it during your last trimester, and that’s logical. Prepare yourself but don’t forget about love from time to time, because it also helps to relax. 😊
Relaxing before having sex during pregnancy
You will need to be able to properly relax when you’re pregnant. Your body is changing at a fast pace. You will also notice that there’s an increased want to masturbate during these peaceful moments. It’s an ideal tool to help you relax, so let those moments come! Schedule those moments. Switch activity with rest. Your pelvis will be able to relax better and the blood flow will increase. Do you struggle with relaxing during your pregnancy? Then take a look at my relaxing pelvic floor exercises.
Decide on what position will work out for you. Choosing a different position every time will feel nice and relaxing. Take a look at my blog about sex positions during pregnancy. It’s smart to not immediately start with Missionary, because your belly will be in the way. Instead, think of Doggy or Cowgirl. Those are ideal positions where you can also keep control. You decide. Different forms of sex are also possible, like including a toy or maybe even anal. The possibilities won’t change that much during your pregnancy, so don’t stress about it too much.
Until when can you have sex when you’re pregnant?
You may have sex for the entire duration of your pregnancy, but you should see your waters breaking as the limit, which is reasonable, I’d say. Otherwise that will be such a hassle. Penetration can also stimulate contractions at the end of your pregnancy, because your womb contracts when you climax which can lead to childbirth. So be watchful and don’t force yourself too much. Don’t turn sex into an instrument to trigger giving birth. Keep using sex as something to relax and have fun with. Otherwise it will feel like a chore.
Does climaxing feel different when you’re pregnant?
That is possible for sure. Especially because it can trigger contractions in the last phase of your third trimester because your womb squeezes together, which can make climaxing feel pretty unpleasant. This isn’t harmful per se, but it could cause some tummy aches. The vagina is mostly properly supplied with blood, which can make having sex feel more intense.
Having sex during pregnancy causes contractions
Sex can indeed cause contractions. But can sex also trigger childbirth? Good question. These contractions are being caused by your womb, but also by released hormones. These hormones could give you the last push. So yes, in theory, sex can trigger childbirth. However, you’re only getting contractions when your body is ready. If your body isn’t ready for childbirth, those contractions will stay gone as well. If your body is close to giving birth, having sex can give that last push to be able to trigger the birth.
Blood loss during sex when you’re pregnant
Some women experience blood loss during or after having sex when they’re pregnant. This often is caused by an irritated cervix. Your womb will have an increased blood supply during pregnancy, but the womb is also thinner and more sensitive, which means that it’s quite easy to damage the cervix. It’s not harmful and often not painful. But if you do have concerns, go to the doctor or contact your obstetrician.
Men and sex during pregnancy
There are some men who find pregnant women incredibly attractive, but there are also some men that treat pregnant women like fine china. This group will also struggle to have sex during pregnancy. They might find it scary or weird to have sex while there’s a baby in your belly. Or maybe they are scared that something might happen to the baby. This is nonsense, of course. Your baby won’t look at you weird when he or she is in your arms. How deep you go or how big the penis might be also won’t damage nor traumatize the baby. Spoil each other, because there will be a period where you’re both fatigued and exhausted. Nothing will happen with your baby, and you won’t damage anything with the penis.
Having no sex during pregnancy
Not everything has to resolve around sex. You can be intimate enough without penetration. Keep communicating and let the other know what you enjoy. Cuddle a lot and often. Snuggle up in bed. Take a shower together. Do intimate things with each other. Show your love to each other, even if it’s hard to do that sometimes. There’s a little miracle on its way, one you two made together. How beautiful is that! Enjoy together and make it a memorable time. It won’t be just the two of you anymore. Having sex during pregnancy is an ideal way of expressing love, but it’s not the only way.
Myths about sex during pregnancy:
- Myth 1: Sex during pregnancy causes damage to the baby
An absolute myth. Sex cannot harm the baby. The baby is fiercely protected inside his or her amniotic fluid. This fluid can endure quite some hits, especially the hits from dad’s pole. The penis won’t come anywhere close to the baby and the baby won’t notice a thing apart from endorphins running through mom’s veins. But this isn’t called the lucky hormone for nothing, so I’m sure the baby is feeling pretty good. You can experience having solid stomachs as a result from having sex during pregnancy. But a warm sack filled with cherry pits or a warm shower often resolves this. The only thing you could keep in mind is that some positions might go better than normal. - Myth 2: You can’t have sex more than once a week when you’re pregnant.
What an absolute MYTH. Have sex as much as you want. Every couple has sex once a week on average, so why shouldn’t you be allowed to? Don’t hit the breaks, everything is fine as long as you guys feel okay. No pain? Just gains! - Myth 3: The vagina isn’t suitable for sex when you’re pregnant.
Nonsense. Each vagina is perfectly suitable to have sex with. Being pregnant doesn’t mean that the entire vagina is different now. You might hear that the vagina is a bit wider, but that is nonsense too. After giving birth? Also nonsense! The vagina is a collection of pelvic floor muscles and those grab on to whatever comes in. It’s not like your tampon keeps falling out either, right? So don’t believe the men who use this argument for whatever reason. The vagina doesn’t size up or become wider after giving birth and it will recover just fine. You can always take a look at the pelvic floor exercises for after giving birth to improve your recovery. - Myth 4: A climax can trigger contractions which can increase the risks of a premature birth.
It’s not like you will immediately be prepared for childbirth once you have climaxed. This means that it’s absolutely untrue that you will increase the risks of having a premature birth when you have sex during pregnancy. The womb can contract a little when you orgasm, that’s all. A contraction can be triggered, but only when your body is ready to give birth, which means that you should probably prepare. - Myth 5: I won’t get pregnant for as long as I breastfeed.
This is a dangerous myth. I frequently hear it pass by. This is the biggest baloney out there. It might even be quite the opposite. You are incredibly fertile after you’ve given birth, so be watchful if you don’t want to be pregnant again on such a short notice! The ovulation is being a bit suppressed by the lactation hormones, but don’t bet on not getting pregnant! - Myth 6: The baby can watch you have sex.
Not at all! You weren’t thinking this for real, were you? The baby is, like you could read earlier, safely inside of the womb. Closed off for anything and everything. So no, he or she won’t be able to see dad’s tip. Sex doesn’t harm the baby, so make sure to enjoy it. The myths about being able to touch the baby during sex, or that it’s watching, are absurd. So just go for it. - Myth 7: It’s better to have anal sex during pregnancy.
This myth is made up by someone who was incredibly craving anal sex, because nothing points towards the fact that you should only go for anal sex during pregnancy. Of course, do it if you want, but the vagina is still a fantastic choice without too much of a hassle!
Facts about sex during pregnancy:
- Fact 1: You crave sex more when you’re pregnant.
Craving sex more. Everyone has a different libido. But your libido can increase during pregnancy because of the hormones and increased blood flow in the vagina. Some women get their first orgasm during pregnancy, but often after the 16th week mark. You will be nauseous a lot during the first 16 weeks. - Fact 2: Having sex is good and healthy, during pregnancy too.
100% true. Sex doesn’t only feel pleasant, it also keeps you in good shape and makes you happy. And it’s recommended to be in good shape when you’re pregnant. The healthier you are, the shorter your post-pregnancy recovery. You will also decrease the risks of developing pelvic issues like pelvic pain and pelvic instability when you’re healthy and when your pelvic floor muscles are in good shape. You will also have a better sleep after you’ve had sex. You can also experience less stress and I’m sure your partner won’t complain that much if he has to do the laundry. - Fact 3: Women have sex more often than men.
A crazy fact, actually. Scientifically, women have sex twice a week. The average is lower than with men. Once or twice a month. Weird, right? I agree. But that does mean that women have sex 105 times a year. Good for you! Enjoy it to the max and make sure to include your husband so that you bump up his average as well. - Fact 4: Having a healthy and strong pelvic floor causes better orgasms.
Very true. Your pelvic floor muscles are incredibly active during sex. Strong pelvic floor muscles also decrease the risks of developing pelvic issues like incontinence or pelvic pain. It’s very easy to train these pelvic floor exercises. Take a look at some exercises for your pelvic floor muscles. Go work out and make out for the sake of your health! - Fact 5: You’re losing weight when you have sex.
You can view sex during pregnancy as a sport. So cancel that gym subscription! You are already burning 600-800 calories when you have sex three times a week. That’s a lot! So schedule those nights. This way you will also burn some excessive fats during your pregnancy.
And lastly, are you looking for more information?
Hopefully this information was useful to you! If you’re still looking for some more information, feel free to take another look around on the website. It’s filled with in-depth information, tips, a web shop and also exercises. I still have a lot of articles with lots of information about other symptoms and issues. Feel free to click on the blue words to take you straight to the right page.
