Pregnancy can have a direct effect on your sexual wellness and wellbeing. There are all kinds of hormonal changes going on in your body as it prepares for birth and motherhood, and so emotions, along with tiredness, stress about finances, career worries and labour-related fears, can all make quite a volatile mix.
For some women, the hormones that are released during pregnancy heighten their libido, leading to a greater desire for sex. Sex can also be more satisfying due to increased blood flow to the pelvic region, and this can lead to increased sensitivity and more intense orgasms. Other women are not so fortunate, and lose their libido altogether during pregnancy, which can put the relationship under stress. Other women lose their libido during some trimesters (such as the first and third) but not others.
If you feel in the mood to have sex during pregnancy, it is perfectly safe for you to do so (assuming you have not been put on pelvic rest by a doctor).
Contrary to popular belief, your baby will not feel you having sex, and will definitely not be hurt. There is a thick plug of mucous that seals off the cervix and prevents any infection getting through to the baby. The baby is also safe inside an amniotic sack and inside the muscly walls of the uterus. The baby may move more after you have an orgasm, but this is due to your increased heart rate and has nothing to do with the sex itself.
Some men find their partner’s pregnant body very sexy, but other men find it disconcerting to see their partner changing shape. Some men may also suffer from anxiety about becoming a father which can reduce their libido.
If you do decide to have sex during pregnancy, choose a position that works well for you, take your time, and relax. Starting from a sitting position. This way puts no weight on the uterus and also allows you to control the depth of penetration. Try sitting on your partner’s lap as he sits on a chair (but make sure it’s strong enough to hold you!).
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