Sex in pregnancy

Many people worry about whether it is safe to have sex during pregnancy. There is no physical reason why you shouldn’t continue to have sexual intercourse right through a normal pregnancy, if you wish. It doesn’t harm the baby because the penis cannot penetrate beyond the vagina. The muscles of the cervix and a plug of mucus, specially formed in pregnancy, seal off the womb completely.   

Later in pregnancy, an orgasm, or even sexual intercourse itself, can set off contractions known as Braxton Hicks’ contractions. You will feel the muscles of your womb go hard. There is no need for alarm as this is perfectly normal. If it feels uncomfortable, try your relaxation techniques or just lie quietly till the contractions pass.  

If you have had a previous miscarriage, ask your doctor or midwife for advice. Your doctor or midwife will probably advise you to avoid intercourse if you have had heavy bleeding in pregnancy, and you should definitely not have intercourse once the waters have broken since this risks infection in the baby.        

While sex is safe for most couples in pregnancy, it may not be all that easy. You will probably need to find different positions. This can be a time to explore and experiment together. The man on top can become very uncomfortable for the woman quite early in pregnancy, not just because of the baby, but because of tender breasts as well. It can also be uncomfortable if the man’s penis penetrates too deeply. So it may be better to lie on your sides, either facing or with the man behind. Many couples find that a position in which the woman is on top is most comfortable.

Some couples find making love extra enjoyable during pregnancy while others simply feel that they don’t want to have intercourse and prefer to find other ways of being loving or of making love. It’s important to talk about your feelings with each other.

Information provided by Health Promotion England.