Pregnancy Sex 101: Debunking Your Worries & Increasing Your Pleasure
If you’re a confused bundle of insanely horny and freaked out when it comes to pregnancy sex, you’re far from alone. Baby-making hormones drive our brains wild with sexual thoughts, and sensitive bodies are ripe for new levels of sensual pleasure.
New moms are usually obsessive about the health and safety of their baby, and though we know this is generally a good thing, we’d hate to see all those worries keep you from having the incredible pregnant sex life you deserve.
Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation floating around that’s holding you back from what could be the most incredible sex of your life. We’re busting through the untrue rumors so you can get down and dirty, big tummy and all.
Is it safe to have sex during my pregnancy?
Quite often, we hear both women and men express fears that sex during pregnancy will harm the baby.
From fearing that an erect penis will poke the baby’s eye out to actually damaging the baby’s future mental health from experiencing their parents having sex, we’ve heard it all.
Thankfully, none of these wild rumors are true. Babies are safe and sound in the amniotic sac in the uterus, which is separated from the vaginal canal by the cervix and a mucus plug.
Just make sure to talk to your doctor to make sure your body and baby are 100% healthy, as heavy physical activity can potentially pose issues to at-risk pregnancies.
There is no right or wrong way to feel about sex during pregnancy. Sometimes you just might not be up for it. However, when you are in the mood, intercourse throughout pregnancy has amazing benefits, like reduced risk for pre-eclampsia, an easier labor and recovery, lowered blood pressure, and reduced stress.
Plus, most important of all, you’re nurturing and strengthening the bond with your partner prior to one of the biggest life changes you’ll ever experience together. So yes please, have all the sex while pregnant!
Could I hurt my baby if we try deep-penetrating positions?
Once again, there is very little you can do during sex that can cause harm to your baby – even all those buck-wild positions you adore.
First off, the vaginal canal lengthens when fully aroused and second, the cervix is sealed by a thick mucus plug that works to protect the fetus. All of these conditions work to prevent any harm from occurring during intercourse.
As always, we recommend listening to your body and taking the sex down a notch if you experience pain or discomfort. However, it’s totally okay to indulge in toe-curling deep penetration while pregnant.
How late into my pregnancy can we continue having sex?
Another common, annoying rumor is that all sex has to stop once you enter the late stages of pregnancy.
We’re here to clear the air: it’s perfectly fine to have sex all throughout pregnancy, unless noted by your doctor.
During the second trimester, many women experience a surge in hormones and as a result, an increase in their libido. This is sometimes referred to as the “honeymoon period”. It can be a lot of fun for couples to intimately connect during this time, and that’s something we’ll always recommend.
The natural increase in blood flow directly effects the genitals, making your favorite sexy activities even more pleasurable.
My doctor mentioned that I might not be interested in sex during pregnancy. Will we really be skipping sex for 9 whole months?
Hold on there, momma! This little rumor is only half true. While a portion of your pregnancy – the 2nd trimester – is called “the honeymoon phase” for a reason, you might not be in the mood as your due date nears.
Between the first and second trimester, those hormones are raging like crazy and blood is rushing to your hot spots, as we just just mentioned above. Be prepared for some of the best sex of your life as your body begins to change and your brain chemicals are pushing your thoughts into the gutter.
But let’s face it, by the time you’re ready to pop, that tired bod isn’t feeling so energetic and horny. Swollen ankles, sore joints, an aching back, and a huge, taught belly could make even the hottest of mamas skip sex in trade for a nap (or five).
So yes, for a good portion of pregnancy, you might not want to engage in sex at all! But the good news is that you’ll have weeks upon weeks of amazing, birth control-free coitus to enjoy before your body is screaming to pop this cute little person out already.
Colleen Godin is a sexual wellness writer and journalist. She operates a one-woman business at ThePleasureConnection.net, specializing in copywriting, marketing and events for the greater pleasure industry. In her spare time, she enjoys disappearing into the forest, finding herself in a great song, and long drives during spontaneous road trips.