Whats Safe and Unsafe:Sex

Is it safe to continue having sex during pregnancy?

The majority of couples can still have sexual intercourse during their pregnancy. Your baby is surrounded and cushioned by amniotic fluid, and protected by your uterus and a layer of muscles. And the mucus plug inside your cervix helps guard against infection. Sex during pregnancy can be more enjoyable, even if your are doing it less. There is an increase in vaginal lubrication, engorgment of the genital area helps some people become orgasmic for the first time or multi-orgasmic, the lack of birth control, or if you have been trying for awhile, a return to sex as pleasure as opposed to procreational, and other reasons. On the other hand there are reasons why sex might not be as pleasurable: fear of hurting the baby, nausea, fatigue, awkwardness, etc. While women may feel large and uncomfortable, men generally find the pregnant body very erotic and desirable. It is important that you and your partner discuss the feelings you each have abouut sex. Even if sex is not an option, there are many other way of fullfilling the intimate desieres. More cuddling, romantic dinners, kissing, mutual masturbation and other intimate likings are all possibilities.

Third Trimester Sex:
It is is generally safe to engage in sexual intercourse during the third trimester. It is not safe if you're bleeding or have a placenta that's in front of the baby's head--placenta previa. With placenta previa, if the penis comes in contact with the cervix or you have contractions as a result of orgasm, it can traumatize the placenta and cause significant enough bleeding that you lose the pregnancy. Also you shouldn't have sex if your membranes are ruptured (water breaks) because then the baby is no longer protected against any possible infection. It's also risky to have sex if it's early in your third trimester and you're having premature labor or you have a short cervix, because an orgasm can stimulate contractions. But if you're having a healthy normal pregnancy there's no risk, though as you get larger, it may be uncomfortable, requiring you to be creative about your position.

Anal Sex:
Anal sex during pregnancy is usually safe as well. However, if you have hemorrhoids, remember that they tend to become larger during pregnancy. And if your hemorrhoids are bleeding and you have anal sex, you can lose a considerable amount of blood, which can endanger you and your baby. You should never go from anal to vaginal sex without cleaning up first and changing condoms if you're using one -- otherwise you put yourself at risk for bacterial vaginitis, and there's some concern that this infection can cause preterm labor or make your water break early. Also, unless you're in a monogamous relationship and know that you and your partner are HIV-negative, you should use a condom, because HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are transmitted through broken skin.

Oral Sex:
Licking the vagina is fine, but it's not safe to blow into the genital area. Forcing or blowing air into the vaginal and urethral areas is very dangerous. Theoretically, if your partner blew hard enough, it could cause an embolism (bubble of air) to develop in a blood vessel in that area, and that could be lethal for you or the baby. Giving oral sex is also okay as long as you are comfortable. There's no danger to the baby from swallowing semen. As long as you're in a monogamous relationship and know that your partner is free of STDs, there's no risk. If your partner is HIV-positive, it's not safe because the virus is present in semen, and you and your baby could become infected if you swallow it.

Vibrators And Dildos:
It's generally safe to use a dildo during pregnancy. You do want to be extra careful not to penetrate too forcefully since plastic is more rigid than flesh. If you have placenta previa, using a sex toy (or, for that matter, having intercourse) could traumatize the placenta and cause heavy bleeding that could jeopardize your pregnancy. If you're at risk for premature labor, having an orgasm could cause contractions. And if your water has broken, there's a risk of infection to the baby. In any case, make sure the dildo is clean, and don't share it without cleaning it. If you're having a healthy pregnancy, it's safe to use a vibrator. But if you're at risk for preterm labor, it can be risky to have an orgasm since it can stimulate contractions.

Lubricants:
Although very safe, you may find that you dont need an additional lubricanat during pregnacy. Your cervix is plugged with mucus during pregnancy so there's no danger of the lubricant getting up to the baby. Just make sure it's water-based if you're using condoms since petroleum-based products will put holes in them.

When Not To Have Sex:

If you are experiencing preterm labor
If you have placenta previa
When your water breaks
Unexplained vaginal bleeding
Abdominal cramping
Cervical insufficiency
A dilated cervix
Outbreak of genital herpes
STD's

Comments: Whats Safe and Unsafe - Sex

Comments 1 to 24 of about 28.
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dottie26 - 60 days ago.
im 38 weeks and i haven't had sex since my 5th month. well me and my sweety had sex last week and i couldn't breath lol that was most difficult thing to try to do but it did send me into dialation. he was so nervous to have sex he kept asking is the baby ok and he was worried he was hurting him. that was cute...i want to try again but i don't know if it would be worth it, maybe it will send me into labor tho...hmmmm?

Baby Miqueas - 66 days ago.
I am 27 weeks pregnant and I am feeling really gross and fat.. I do find that I do want it a lot but it seems like my hubby went from seeing me as a sex object to a mother and now it seems like he doesn't really want to do it any more.. It is really frustrating.. I hope that once the baby comes thing will get better (in the bedroom)....

shyemykel061808 - 72 days ago.
before i found out i was pregnant,we had sex n i spotted then the ff 2 days i was delayed,i had a PT n i was positive.i went to my OB the ff day n was advised to refrain frm sex,it took us a month then we tried lol and its heaven..i think u can do it as long as your safe n comfortable..

singlenewmommyrosy - 74 days ago.
DJS Girl- dam gurl that sound exciting. I had sex the other day and I only get it once a week lately since im not really with my babyus dad. But I guess before I was ok with him not lasting as long as I wish he did. But I guess with all the drama I wanted more. Dont get me wrong the sex is good. But I want more lol

DJs Girl - 117 days ago.
Can I just say one thing? Sex during pregnancy is CRAZZZZZYYYY! Wow! I was scared for the past almost 7 weeks to have sex with my hubby but last night I just let loose and OMFG. I have never had an orgasim so intense in my life. LOL Sorry if that's TMI but I needed to share.

domevapurple - 130 days ago.
moms i wanna help my friend but i dont know what to say thats why i just think that i post in here.. its surprise me coz one day my friend stop by in the house and shes crying and she tell me why she cry and i cant understand too..she saw his husband masterbating by him self..well i told her that maybee her husband is not satiesfied for her in bed.. and shes very jelous coz her husband is to sweet and care for others that she want it on her only.. i hope you guys tell me what is the nice word to tell to my friend.. thanks

cheyne - 183 days ago.
My pregnancy book has a section on ways of stimulating labour when you are overdue - it says that stimulating the nipples is a highly dangerous method of encouraging labour - it warns against this method because it can cause strong and lengthy contractions which can cut off blood supply to the baby - does this mean that stimulation of the nipples during sex is also highly dangerous during pregnancy?

domevapurple - 190 days ago.
kebler98 thankyou for the info....well yeah i think i need to wait more till inside of my cut is heal im only 3 weeks thats why makes me afraid.thats why i aks anybody here who have c section too and .. yeah i think your rigth that its tight coz when im 5 months pregnant we try but its hurt then when my dr cleck my cervix its hurt to...

kebler98 - 192 days ago.
I was not tense... I was actually bugging him for it as I am not used to going for that long. I was not saying the section caused the tightness. I said that I didn't think I would have any tightness becuase I had the section and didn't have stiches in the vaganial area. It is sad that some people can get so nasty when someone ask a question and someone replies with their expirence. I even put (Just my expirence) in the comment as I am only one person and have only one child. This place is for women to discuss feeling and expirences and women will be turned off to answering/posting comments if there is such negative comments like yours.

boady - 193 days ago.
what do you mean if he went to far in.. are you serious?? sorry never heard it that way.. I'm 41 and I have never heard that one before. And this being tight umm what the heck are you talking about??? that again has nothing to do with a c-section. I have a feeling the tightness you were feeling probably was because you were tense.

kebler98 - 193 days ago.
domevapurple- I also had a section (8 1/2 months ago) I was ready to have see at 3 weeks pp, I talked to the nurse at the OB office and she told me to still wait as your insides still need to heal and that if he went to far in he could cause me to bleed. We only waited 4 weeks and let me tell you he had to go SLOW I was so tight it hurt. You would think I was a virgin. I don't know how other women are but I was shocked at how tight/how much it hurt. I figured with a section I would be the same as before birth. (Just my expirence)

jamie - 194 days ago.
I just wish my husband was more tender...He is like an animal. I dont want to have sex with him at all right now but I do want sex...I just want it to be intimate, not like two teenagers who just saw eachother naked for the first time. All he does is stare at my ass...its so humiliating!

falltimefairy - 194 days ago.
My problem is I want sex all the time, through this whole pregnancy. My boyfriend is always too tired. But it is not fair . i am just frustrated all the time and now it is getting uncomfortable for me to even have sex, but I still want it.

domevapurple - 196 days ago.
got c section last 2 weeks ago...my husband always saying that he miss me to much coz start when i got pregnant he is patient ...everything in my c section is all fine,my question is this when i can have sex again :-(?????????????????????????????? any body here have c section and can tell how long you whait??????

DueSept272009 - 197 days ago.
I'm almost 18 weeks pregnant...I could go for sex, and dr said its ok, but my partner isn't interested, kind of bothers me, but I'm finding thats normal with some men, since they're scared of harming the baby!?

domevapurple - 231 days ago.
well mine ....i think im in the 2nd trimester when i have sex start when i got pregnant but after where done gosh i fell the hurt in my lower abdomen so start from that my husband understand and still in patient even sometimes he want it really bad :-)

air*force*mommy - 236 days ago.
So yesterday I went to the OB clinic due to cramping in my lower abdomen/back, turns out everything is ok, except a minor contraction. SOOO...doc said nomore sex or working out for the time being. Im dying here. :(

divine - 244 days ago.
I must say,during the first trimester I went off sex completely,for a number of reasons.1# because the first time I gave in to huzzy I bled afterwards,ever since then was to scared to risk having sex again,especially after I had suffered 2 miscarriages b4.2# just didn't fancy it (hormone change!!) now being in my 6th month all Is well,and I'm happy to say me & huzzy r back on track,and I just can't get enough of him!!!! 4got what I was missing out on.

jenakatessa - 250 days ago.
ok so i gave in to my annoying boyfriend for sex again, this time i actually allowed my self to enjoy it...but since i have found out i was pregnant, I have had 'intercourse' with him 3 times and each time i bleed after!!!! its not red, its pink, i talked to my doctor about it and he siad its ok??? but how am i suppose to enjoy sex if i know im going to bleed after. Iv read up on it, and apparently its because when your pregnant .. your cervix is more sensitive.....plus about 4 years ago i had abnormal cells (pre cervical cancer), and had to have a cone biopsy of the cervix.....i wonder if that has anything to do with it??

jenakatessa - 252 days ago.
I have no desire for sex and my partner is always wanting it. I dont really know what to do. HE bugs and bugs and I just dont feel like it. He sometimes gets mad at me for it, i guess its a normal guy thing. I dont know how to explain to him that I just dont feel in the mood?

Amhopw5522 - 328 days ago.
We can not have sex anymore. It hurts, and the baby is so low he can feel him. That sucks, well not right now, I am so mad at him I could kick himout of the house. He makes me hate all men at the moment.

babytauri - 337 days ago.
Can you still have sex after you lose your mucous plug?

Tejay2 - 363 days ago.
Thanks for all your comments, im pleased to say we had some lovin again an it was fine no discomfort afterward...all tho i did notice was during the um peak of it i had shooting zingy pains in my boobs lol pleasure an pain haha

gladek - 369 days ago.
I am 38 weeks and still having sex, although it takes more and more creativity, especially since my husband had shoulder surgery last week :-) Its a definate stress relief...and sometimes a comic relief lately! But it really helps both me and my husband relax a bit and enjoy our last few days as just the two of us. And of course, there is always the added benefit that it may help things along!

lizzie287 - 370 days ago.
tejay - I had sex until the day before I had my daughter. We had to get creative with positions mind you, but it was still pleasurable forboth of us. Unless there's a medical problem, like placenta previa or something, it is absolutely safe to continue having sex up to the end. My doctor actually ordered it to try to 'help me along' lol.