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Wondering if it is safe to have sex while you are pregnant? According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), it is safe for women to have sex while pregnant, unless their doctor or midwife has specifically told them that they should abstain from having sex during pregnancy. Here’s why you might want to keep up your sex life during your pregnancy, when it might not be safe to have sex, and what to do if you’re just not feeling like getting down anymore.
The benefits of sex during pregnancy
Not only is it safe for most women to have sex during pregnancy, but there are also a lot of benefits to keeping your sex life alive and well while you’re growing a little one. The benefits of sex during pregnancy can include:
Staying connected with your partner: Pregnancy means that your relationship with your partner will change in a lot of different ways, and sex can help keep you connected as you navigate the nine months together.
Stress relief: Pregnancy can also be a stressful time, from shifting hormones to challenges at work to fear over how a baby will change your life, and the release of sex can be a welcome stress reliever.
Embracing your body: Your body will change a lot during pregnancy, and sex can help you celebrate your growing shape (like your newly “enhanced” chest).
Helping out those hormones: Let’s be real here — sex can cause a lot of hormonal changes that can completely increase your libido, so if you’re feeling a little more “in the mood” than usual, a regular sex life can help those raging hormones out!
Pleasure: Um, hello, you can’t drink margaritas anymore, so you still need something delicious in your life, right? Some women find that pregnancy gives them more intense, easier orgasms than ever before.
When is sex not safe during pregnancy?
There are a few situations when sex is not recommended during pregnancy. Aside from any individual restrictions that your doctor or midwife may give you about avoiding sex, common situations where sex may not be safe during pregnancy include:
- If you are at risk for preterm labor
- If you have a full or complete placenta previa
- If you have a urinary tract infection or vaginal infection
Will having sex during pregnancy put you into labor?
It’s a pretty common idea that having sex near the end of your pregnancy can help induce labor, but unfortunately, if you’re counting on a romp between the sheets to lead to baby day, you might want a backup plan. Studies have looked at whether having sex leads to contractions as the result of an orgasm, as well as if the prostaglandins from sperm can help “ripen” the cervix. However, the studies on whether or not sex actually does induce labor are mixed, so basically there’s no way to say for sure if sex can kick-start your labor.
What if you don’t want to have sex during your pregnancy?
So maybe sex is perfectly safe during pregnancy, but what about if you just don’t want to do it while you’re pregnant? If you’re just not feeling a sexy vibe, know that your feelings are perfectly valid and normal.
Not all women enjoy having sex while they’re pregnant, and for some women, sex can even be very uncomfortable or painful. If you don’t feel like having sex during your pregnancy, don’t feel bad about your feelings. It’s a lot of work to grow another human, and you are allowed to take a break from sex during pregnancy. Be honest with your partner about how you are feeling, and communicate with each other about ways you can continue to stay connected and express your love to one another.
