Is Sex Safe During Pregnancy?

If you clicked on this story because your belly is the size of a watermelon and you can’t remember the last time you saw your toes (let alone your lady parts), then breathe a sigh of relief because the answer to the question above is a big, fat, hormonal YES “” it is safe.

Take it from me; you are not going to poke your fetus, your bubba won’t know Mummy and Daddy are doing it and for most women, it’s a good idea to twist the sheets throughout the trimesters, if not for your own self-esteem. And despite what you may have heard, the most recent research shows that having sex late in your pregnancy does not induce labour.

Here are all your questions answered!

Does sex harm the baby?

Your developing baby is protected by the amniotic fluid in your uterus, as well as the strong muscles of the uterus itself. Sex won’t affect your baby. Of course there are exceptions to the rule.

Experts say (doctors), if you are at risk of going into labour early sex is not the best idea “” sperm could bring on unwanted contractions and you want that baby to stay cooking until its due date. Also, if you’ve been diagnosed with placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta is covering your cervix, you, too, should abstain (from both intercourse and having orgasms altogether). Otherwise, you risk causing the placenta to bleed.

Your health care provider might also recommend avoiding sex if:

• You have a history of preterm labor or premature birth
• You have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• You’re leaking amniotic fluid
• Your cervix begins to open prematurely (cervical incompetence).

So for those not at risk, your next question might be: is any position fair game?

The simple answer is, just choose the position that feels good for you. There’s no right or wrong way to have sex when you’re pregnant “” you’re not going to crush the baby doing missionary or lying on your belly. Experiment with new positions. For most gals, the belly-bump factor means that missionary isn’t going to work. Try getting on top, have him get behind you or get busy from a side-lying position.

Don’t freak out if you feel a little crampy afterward too. It’s normal, since sexual arousal and orgasms can cause short-lived uterine contractions. But if it doesn’t subside after a few hours or increases, give your doctor a call.

What if I’m overdue?

Some doctors encourage a little somethin’-somethin’ to get that body working. Sperm is rich in hormones called prostaglandins, which can actually stimulate the uterus to contract. Always consult your doctor if you are concerned.

Can sex during pregnancy cause a miscarriage?

Although many couples worry that sex during pregnancy will cause a miscarriage, sex isn’t generally a concern. Early miscarriages are usually related to chromosomal abnormalities or other problems in the developing baby “” not to anything you do or don’t do.

What if I don’t want to have sex?

That is normal and OK, many women say sex is the last thing they think about. Also, there’s more to a sexual relationship than intercourse. Share your needs with your partner in an open and loving way, and workout another way to give each other the support you need.

After the baby is born, how soon can I have sex?

Many health care providers recommend abstaining for four to six weeks to allow your cervix to close and any tears to heal. If you’re too sore or exhausted to even think about sex (which is totally normal) maintain intimacy in other ways, such as cuddling, kissing or massage.

Now you know the facts, go get him (tiger).