You may feel comfortable in your sexual relations with your partner before pregnancy. Now that you're pregnant, it's normal to have questions about sex. There are many myths about union during pregnancy; for example :
- Sexual intercourse during pregnancy is painful and harmful.
- Partnership may harm the baby.
- The baby somehow understands that there is a togetherness.
The facts are as follows:
- Sex during pregnancy is safe for you and your baby unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- The baby is unaware of what his parents are doing. The baby is protected by a fluid buffer zone in the womb and the mother's abdomen.
When Is Sex During Pregnancy Unsafe?
Some situations that can occur during pregnancy can make sexual intercourse unsafe. If you have one of the following conditions, it is useful to consult your doctor before intercourse;
- If you have had a miscarriage
- If you gave birth prematurely
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Leakage of amniotic fluid
- Placenta pervia
- Insufficient cervix (the cervix weakens and opens prematurely)
If your pregnancy is a risky pregnancy, you need to take more precautions than other pregnant women.
How Does Pregnancy Affect My Sex Life?
According to many women, sexual desire increases during pregnancy. This sexual desire is due to changes in hormones. According to some other women, sexual desires come and go in waves during pregnancy. Below you can find some general changes;
1. Three Months of Pregnancy Sexuality
- Since some physical changes occur in the first 3 months of pregnancy, sexual desire may decrease.
- Fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, the need to go to the bathroom frequently can make sex uncomfortable.
2. Three Months of Pregnancy Sexuality
- When you come to the 2nd trimester, fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness disappear or become more manageable.
- Your belly starts to swell but is still small enough to have sex.
- Your sexual desire may even increase. In women, there is an increase of 1.5 kilograms of blood, and most of this blood goes below the waist.
- According to some, this increased blood flow increases their ability to have an orgasm.
3. Three Months of Pregnancy Sex
- Towards the end of your pregnancy, your sexual desire may decrease due to your growing belly, your anticipation of giving birth and raising your baby.
- Your worries are perfectly normal. Apart from sexual intercourse, there are other ways you can get close to your partner.
Which Sex Positions Are Safe During Pregnancy?
Pre-pregnancy or early pregnancy positions can be uncomfortable and even unsafe towards the end of pregnancy, depending on the baby's development. For example, after the 4th month of pregnancy, a woman should avoid lying on her back (missionary position) because the weight of the growing uterus puts pressure on important blood vessels. The following positions are safe;
- Woman on Top: In this way, you control how fast, slow or comfortable the union will be.
- Spoon Position: Consider how the spoons fit together in the drawer. Lie down like that with your partner behind you. This position reduces the amount of pressure on your lower back.
- Hands and Knees: This position is beneficial in the 1st and 2nd trimesters, it reduces the amount of pressure on your lower back. But as your belly grows, you may find this position uncomfortable.
What Are Other Ways of Getting Closer? You don't have to be with your partner to be close. The following also allow you to establish close contact with your partner:
- Kissing
- Hug
- massaging each other
- Oral sex (make sure your partner does not blow air into the vagina. Otherwise, this will cause embolism (blockage of the blood vessel by the air bubble), which is dangerous for you and your baby.
Some Advice for You and Your Spouse:
- Talk openly with your partner about your needs. Be aware of your partner's needs as well as your own.
- Let common pleasure and comfort be your guide. If something doesn't feel right to either of you, change what you're doing.
- Don't give up on your sense of humor.
- If you are experiencing a risky pregnancy or if you have questions that remain in your mind, consult your doctor.
How can I have sexual intercourse after giving birth? After the baby is born, it is useful to wait for your postpartum examination for sex. Generally, the woman feels ready about 4 weeks after giving birth.
Tags
