Is It Safe to Have Sex While Pregnant?

During pregnancy, you might be concerned about which activities are safe to continue or which you should avoid and when. One of those activities may be having sex while pregnant.

Generally, it's safe to have sex during pregnancy. However, if you have pregnancy-related issues like vaginal bleeding, you may be advised to refrain from having sex. Here's what else you need to know.

Is Sex During Pregnancy Safe?

For people with healthy pregnancies, sex can be safe throughout the entire pregnancy. You are not going to "poke" your fetus, and for most people who are expecting, there's no reason to avoid sex throughout the trimesters.

Benefits of Sex During Pregnancy

Sex during pregnancy can help in relationship maintenance. Engaging in satisfying sexual activity while pregnant may keep your relationship healthy and pleasant.

Having satisfying sex might also benefit your mental health. Researchers said that a pregnant person may experience positive effects on their self-esteem and well-being.

For some, sex can be more relaxing during this time. Partners may have been initially worried about getting pregnant; however, the pregnancy reduces that worry.

Additionally, you may enjoy sex even more than you did before becoming pregnant. Higher levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy boost blood flow to the vagina. As a result, a person may have better vaginal lubrication, resulting in more pleasurable sex.

Sex Through the Trimesters

If you're able and want to have sex during pregnancy, talk with your partner about what's comfortable for you. It's also a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider about safe sexual activity while you're pregnant.

Depending on how you feel, how often you have sex during the first trimester will vary. While in this trimester, you'll have bodily and energy changes in response to your pregnancy. For example, you may experience vomiting or feel fatigued. As a result, you and your partner may not engage in sex at all. However, some couples may have more or less sex than usual.

People may have more sex during the second trimester. Researchers found that the causes could be that people may:

• Be more interested in sex
• Be open and willing to talk about what they want in terms of sexual activity
• Experience fewer pregnancy-related symptoms
  

While intercourse may be okay from week six to month nine of pregnancy, don't be surprised if you're just not feeling up for it in the last few weeks. People have less sex in the third trimester than in any other. Additionally, you may be advised to stop having sex the closer you get to your due date. There's an increased risk of infection around this time.

When Should You Avoid Sex During Pregnancy?

There are a few reasons to avoid sex during pregnancy. You should stop having sex if:

• Sex is painful. An OB-GYN will want to confirm exactly what's causing the pain.
• You experience amniotic fluid leaks. Amniotic fluid protects a baby as it develops in the womb. If you have leakage of this fluid, you should see a healthcare provider.
• You have placenta previa. This is a condition where the placenta blocks some or all of the cervix. The cervix is the birth canal opening.
• You have unexplained bleeding. Some spotting is normal after sex if you're pregnant. However, heavier bleeding needs medical attention.
• Your partner may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If a pregnant person develops an STI, the STI can be serious or life-threatening for a pregnant person and their baby.

Additionally, healthcare providers may recommend that you stop having sex later in the third trimester due to a potential risk of preterm labor. However, there has been mixed research about the link between sex and preterm labor. Preterm labor also rarely occurs following sex during pregnancy.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

You should consult a healthcare provider if you have pregnancy complications, like amniotic fluid leaks. Additionally, cramps and spotting are normal following penetrative sex. However, severe cramping that doesn't go away or heavy bleeding requires medical attention.

A Quick Review

Sex when you're pregnant may be a completely different—even liberating—experience for you than sex outside of pregnancy. Still, it's generally safe, and you can enjoy sex during the nine months when you're expecting.

However, you'll want to avoid sex during pregnancy if you're experiencing any pain, bleeding, or leaking of fluid. In these cases, talk to a healthcare provider about how to move forward with your situation.