Sex During Pregnancy

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Myth #2 - My belly will be in the way and I'll never be comfortable

Playing with alternative positions (you on top, sitting in your partner's lap, or a side-by-side spoon position) may be just the thing to send you over the top during love making. As the old saying goes, "Where there's a will, there's a way." With a little experimenting, you and your partner are sure to find a position and technique that works for both of you. In fact, some women experience their first orgasm while having sex during their pregnancy. This can be attributed to engorgement of the genitals with more sensitive nerve endings and oxytocin, the hormone that maintains your pregnancy, which is known to spark the libido.

Myth #3 - Having sex will cause premature labor

There is no medical evidence that the act of having sex causes labor. However, stimulating your breasts can speed up the production of oxytocin which can cause contractions when you are near your due date. As your pregnancy progresses, you will discover that you will have all sorts of contractions without going into labor. However, your doctor or midwife may limit your sexual activity if your pregnancy is considered high risk or if you have a history of premature labor, early cervical dilation, placenta previa, premature rupture of the membranes or vaginal bleeding.

Myth #4 - Oral sex is a no-no

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about having sex during pregnancy. Standard oral sex will not harm you or your baby and many couples consider it a nice substitute if intercourse is deemed too risky or it's just too uncomfortable. Just make sure your partner avoids blowing air into your vagina, as blowing hard could cause an air embolism (obstruction of a blood vessel) which could potentially kill you and your baby.

Your pregnancy is a wonderful opportunity to have close and loving sexual experiences with your partner. Get creative - you both might just discover a side to yourselves that you didn't know existed before. Pregnancy is a time when many couples open doors and find new and exciting ways to be intimate with one another beyond just the act of having sex.

For more information:

• Sex and Pregnancy

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