Making Love In Pregnancy
Your pregnancy shouldn’t affect your love life, but most women – and men – have quite a few questions about the dos and don’ts! Most importantly, if you have a normal, healthy pregnancy, it’s completely safe for you to make love; if there are complications, you will need specific guidance. Here are five other perspectives to consider:
It might physically feel different
During pregnancy, you’ll have increased blood flow to your pelvic region, which means you’ll experience heightened sensation to the genitals… this generally means more pleasure. On the other hand, this sensation may even feel a little painful for a few women – relax, enjoy the hormonal high and you might just find that lovemaking has never been better! Your breasts may be very tender too but generally, the more caring and tender your relationship is, the better the experience of lovemaking during pregnancy will be – because if you’re unhappy or anxious, you could experience inadequate lubrication and pain.
You may notice a change in libido
This could go either way – you may notice that you have a greatly increased desire to make love, or sex may become the last thing you feel like. There are a lot of factors involved in this, including:
- Pregnancy symptoms: Fatigue, nausea, aches and pains, swollen limbs, heartburn… None of these really generate passion, do they?
- Shyness about your changing body: Most men find the woman’s changing shape delightful and interesting, so try not to worry about this.
- Anxiety about upcoming motherhood: This can usually be overcome with open communication and goodwill.
Remember, there is more to intimacy than just sex – cuddling, talking, kissing and even going on a date night can all go a long way to ensuring a little pregnancy passion!
Your partner may have reservations about sex
Many men think that lovemaking during pregnancy will hurt the baby. Others feel embarrassed, almost as if the baby is watching them! Men generally don’t talk about these fears, so take the initiative and let him know you’re keen to make love and that it’s fine to do so. It really is, if you’ve been given the all-clear.
You may need to experiment a bit
Most couples will need to find positions other than man-on-top, because as your belly swells, it may become too uncomfortable, and your partner should avoid pressing too hard on your belly. This could be a fun way to spark up your relationship!
When to call your midwife or doctor
If you bleed after intercourse, it could be because of a raw patch in the vaginal wall, low progesterone levels, or a low-lying placenta. Either way, tell your doctor or midwife, who will determine whether it’s safe for you to make love for the rest of your pregnancy. You should also tell your doctor if you notice abnormal discharge, a change in Baby’s movements or pain in your womb, or if you feel very unwell.
