Your growing fetus is protected by amniotic fluid in the uterus, as well as strong uterine muscles. Sexual activity will not affect the fetus as long as it does not threaten complications such as premature birth or placental problems. However, pregnancy can make a difference in your comfort and sexual desire.
Pregnant women and their husbands often ask if it is safe to have sex during pregnancy. Will it lead to abortion? Does it harm the newborn? Are there sexual positions to prevent harm to the fetus? According to WebMD, here is the information you are looking for.
Is sex safe during pregnancy?
Sex is a normal part of pregnancy, of course, if you are experiencing a normal pregnancy. Sexual penetration and movement does not harm the fetus, which is protected by your abdomen and the muscular walls of the uterus, and the fetus is protected by fluid from the bladder. Orgasm contractions are not the same as labor contractions. Still, as a way to prevent general immunity, some doctors recommend that you avoid having sex in the last weeks of pregnancy because they believe that hormones in the semen called prostaglandins can stimulate contractions. There is an exception for women who have a due date. Some doctors believe that prostaglandins in semen actually cause childbirth in a full or late pregnancy because the gel used to “reach” the cervix and cause labor also contains prostaglandin, but other doctors believe that this connection is sperm /. Childbirth is only theoretical and having sex does not cause childbirth. In the case of orgasm, these contractions are not the same as labor contractions, so there is no problem in this area.
When not to have sex during pregnancy
If you have any of the following types of high-risk pregnancies, your doctor will probably advise you not to have sex:
Are you at risk for miscarriage or have a history of miscarriage?
You are at risk for preterm birth (contractions before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
You have vaginal bleeding, discharge or blockage for no apparent reason
Your amniotic sac is perforated or the membrane is torn
The cervix opens very early in pregnancy
The placenta is abnormally located in the lower part of the uterus (placenta previa)
You are waiting for the birth of twins, triplets or multiples
Keep in mind that if your doctor tells you “no sex”, it may even include anything including orgasm or sexual arousal, not just intercourse.
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Sex during pregnancy
Every woman experiences different things, including how she feels about having sex during pregnancy. For some, libido fades during pregnancy. Other women develop a deeper relationship with their sexual desire during pregnancy and are more aroused. During pregnancy, fluctuations in sexual desire due to changes in the body are normal. You may be conscious as your abdomen enlarges, or you may have more intense libido with larger breasts.
Tell your partner how you feel and what is effective. You may need to play with situations to find a situation that is comfortable and stimulating for you, especially in late pregnancy. Avoid lying on your back in a “missionary position” for sex after the fourth month of pregnancy. In this way you can prevent the weight of the growing fetus from constricting the main blood vessels. Another way to make sex easier is to lie down together or you may try to position yourself upright or sit on top.
As always, if you are not sure about your partner’s sexual history, be sure to use a condom. Pregnancy does not protect against sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, herpes, genital warts or chlamydia, and these infections can affect your fetus. Having a sexually transmitted infection during pregnancy can cause serious health problems for you and your baby. If your partner has an active sexually transmitted infection or has recently been diagnosed with an infection, it is best to avoid all types of vaginal, oral, and anal sex.
Sex after pregnancy
The first 6 weeks after childbirth is called the “postpartum” period. Having sex during this time may be the last thing on your mind. Reasons that reduce your desire for sex include:
Recovery from episiotomy (incision in the perineal area)
Recovery from abdominal incisions after cesarean section
Normal postpartum hemorrhage is common 4 to 6 weeks after birth
Fatigue after pregnancy and labor
Your baby’s demand (if you have twins or triplets that increases)
Changes in hormone levels
Chest pain from breastfeeding
Emotional issues such as postpartum depression, excessive anxiety about parenting or relationships with a spouse
Sexual intercourse is generally safe after the complete healing of any incision and the feeling of healing of the delicate tissues of the vagina. This recovery usually takes several weeks. You can also ask your doctor questions and consult with him. Most doctors say you should wait at least 6 weeks after giving birth for sex. It is equally important that a woman be emotionally, physically comfortable and calm and feel ready. Patience is a virtue for both you and your partner. Given the realities and stresses of early parenting, it may take a year for a couple’s normal sexual life to flourish.
Translator: Elahe Zarei
