ANSWERS TO SOME BURNING QUESTIONS ABOUT SEX DURING PREGNANCY

For many women, the months preceding their pregnancy have involved quite a bit of sex! Now that you’re pregnant, you may wonder if you can still have sex. So long as you have a normal, healthy pregnancy, you can have as much sex as you want. This is an area where men and women really differ in their wants and needs – there is no wrong way to feel about having sex. Some women find they are less interested because they are too tired, or their breasts hurt, or they are feeling too nauseous. Some women find their desire is higher than ever during pregnancy. If you have a pregnancy with risks for preterm labor (multiple pregnancies, high blood pressure), it may be better to abstain from intercourse.

Has pregnancy spiked your interest in sex? Or is sex the last thing on your mind?

What about sex while you're pregnant? The answers aren't always as obvious.

As long as your pregnancy is proceeding normally, you can have sex as often as you like — but you might not always want to.

At first, hormonal fluctuations, fatigue, and nausea might sap your sexual desire. As your pregnancy progresses, weight gain, back pain, and other symptoms might further dampen your enthusiasm for sex.

Your emotions might take a toll on your sex drive, too.

Concerns about how pregnancy or the baby will change your relationship with your partner might weigh heavily on your mind — even while you're eagerly anticipating the addition to your family. Fears about sexual activity harming the baby or anxiety about childbirth might team up to sap your sex drive. Changes in your self-image might play a role as well, especially as your pregnancy progresses.

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.

Does sex during pregnancy 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. Sexual activity won't affect your baby.

What are the best sexual positions during pregnancy?

As long as you're comfortable, most sexual positions are OK during pregnancy.

As your pregnancy progresses, experiment to find what works best. Rather than lying on your back, for example, you might want to lie next to your partner sideways or position yourself on top of your partner or in front of your partner.

Let your creativity take over, as long as you keep mutual pleasure and comfort in mind.

What about oral?

Oral sex is safe during pregnancy. If you receive oral sex, though, make sure your partner doesn't blow air into your vagina. Rarely, a burst of air might block a blood vessel (air embolism) — which could be a life-threatening condition for you and the baby.