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Pregnancy is a time of great excitement and closeness for most couples as they start a new chapter and go from a couple to a family. However, the many hormonal and physical changes that women experience during pregnancy can impact self-esteem and confidence, which undoubtedly affects intimate interactions with a partner. Pregnant women and their partners are often embarrassed to ask their health-care providers about sexual issues and often get the wrong information from friends, the media, or the Internet that perpetuate the myths surrounding sex and pregnancy. Common physical and emotional changes experienced by pregnant women include: •Mood swings and sensitivity about body image •Fear of hurting the pregnancy or baby, or fear of rejection from partner •Increase or decrease in sexual desire or erotic dreams •Increase in size and change in appearance of breasts, abdomen and genitals •Change in sensation of breasts and genitals and intensified orgasm Frequently asked questions of pregnant women and their partners regarding sex and pregnancy include: When is sex not OK? Do not engage in intercourse if there has been bleeding, threatened miscarriage or preterm labor. Other indications are: placenta previa (placenta is positioned low in the uterus), premature or preterm rupture of membranes, pre-eclampsia or toxemia, or if there is any pain. What are the best positions for sexual intercourse? During the first trimester, any position is fine as long as it is comfortable. But starting in the second trimester (after the fourth month), it is best to not lie on your back because the pregnant uterus can compress major blood vessels in the body. This can decrease blood flow to your head, causing dizziness, and can also reduce blood flow to the uterus, which potentially restricts oxygen to the fetus. Side-lying is comfortable and safe. Be creative! Does pelvic rest mean no sexual activity? Pelvic rest usually refers to intercourse. However, specific issues should be discussed with your health-care provider. Kissing and cuddling is almost always OK. Can sex or orgasm cause miscarriage in the first trimester? No. Miscarriage is most commonly caused by a chromosomal abnormality. Sex should be avoided if there is any bleeding or threatened miscarriage. Can sex or orgasm cause preterm labor? No, but sexual activity and orgasm can cause mild uterine contractions that resolve with rest. If you experience contractions with sex, notify your health-care provider. Can the baby feel or see the penis during sex? No. The baby is protected by a cushion of amniotic fluid surrounded by the thick-walled uterus. Can the baby feel orgasm, and is it harmful? No. The baby cannot distinguish between sexual activity and other activity. When can I have sexual relations after my childbirth? If your delivery was uncomplicated, vaginal or Caesarean, most women can resume intercourse after six weeks or when cleared by their health-care provider. Personal lubricants may be needed for vaginal dryness, especially if you are breastfeeding. Many women experience a decrease in sexual drive after childbirth and when breastfeeding. This is a result of hormonal, physical, emotional, and logistical factors. Patience and communication are key to surviving the postpartum period and nurturing each other at a time when fatigue and hormonal changes are guaranteed. Postpartum depression can further affect energy and sexual desire, as can the medicines that are used to treat depression. How do I maintain my role as wife, mother, lover and friend? That’s the magic question. Key to the answer is good communication between partners, as well as establishing time for each other. This should start during pregnancy and continue through the postpartum and early parenting period. Dr. Patricia A. Wallace is an OB/GYN at UCI Medical Center. Information: www.ucihealth.com or call toll free 714.456.2911. |
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