The myths surrounding sex during pregnancy are endless. Sex can hurt the baby. The baby will know what's happening. Sex can cause a miscarriage. What's an expectant mom or dad to believe? Here, we separate fact from fiction.
Q. Can you have sex during pregnancy?
A. Yes, you can. If you are healthy and are having a normal pregnancy, having sex isn't risky and you can engage in it right up to the last weeks before your delivery. However, if your doctor warns you of a medical complication such as preterm labor, bleeding, or placenta previa (which means your placenta has attached to the low end of your uterine wall), you shouldn't have sex during pregnancy.
Q. Will sex hurt the baby?
A. No. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), your baby is well-protected by amniotic fluid and the strong muscles of the uterus. There is also a thick mucus plug that seals the cervix and helps to protect against infection.
Q. Can sex cause a miscarriage?
A. No. The Mayo Clinic points out that a miscarriage in the first trimester is usually due to chromosomal abnormalities or other development problems with the baby, not any actions you do. However, if you have a history of miscarriage, or a condition that leads to miscarriage such as an incompetent cervix (the cervix or opening of the uterus is weak), you should be cautious about sex during pregnancy.
Q. Can the baby tell what's happening?
A. No. Your baby will only experience some additional vibration and movement, but will have no clue what you and your partner are up to.
Q. Is masturbation safe during pregnancy?
A. Yes and no. Masturbation with your hands should be safe. However, doctors advise against inserting a vibrator or any other foreign object into the vagina. This can cause a vaginal or bladder infection. When you're pregnant, you're already at greater risk for a urinary tract infection (UTI) between weeks six and 24. The American Pregnancy Association warns that if left untreated, a UTI can cause kidney infection and result in early labor and low birth weight.
Q. Is it safe to have oral sex during pregnancy?
A. Yes and no. Generally, it's fine for an expectant mom to receive oral sex. However, your partner should not blow air into your vagina because this might cause an air embolism - or blocked blood vessel - that could extremely dangerous to you and your baby.
Q. Can orgasms trigger premature labor?
A. Not necessarily. While an orgasm can cause the uterus to contract, you need repeated uterine contractions for labor to occur, explains Dr. Lisa Masterson, a specialist in obstetrics, gynecology, and infertility.
Q. Is sex safe in the last trimester?
A. Generally, yes. Unless you're at risk for a preterm birth, or you have symptoms such as your cervix is opening early or you're leaking amniotic fluid, sex in the last trimester is safe. In fact, Masterson points out that having sex around week 36 or 37 can help labor occur because prostaglandins in semen cause the uterus to contract.
Q. Should you practice safe sex during pregnancy?
A. Maybe. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are extremely harmful to you and your baby. If your partner has an STI, or you're not in an exclusive relationship with an uninfected partner, you should use a condom.
Q. Are there times I shouldn't have sex during pregnancy?
A. Yes. The UMMC advises against intercourse during pregnancy if:
- you have vaginal bleeding or cramps
- you're leaking amniotic fluid or breaking of water
- you have an incompetent cervix, placentia previa, or infection
- you have pain during intercourse.
Also, hormonal fluctuations, sore breasts and those extra pounds can put you off sex during pregnancy. You shouldn't feel pressured to have intercourse if you're just not up to it. Try to find other ways to be intimate with your partner.
