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Along with all the other adjustments that come with getting pregnant, it should be no surprise that you’ll face a few changes in your sex life once you and your partner are expecting. Whether it becomes a rarely-if-ever affair, slightly uncomfortable, or the best you’ve ever had, sex during pregnancy will always pose a challenge (how do you get around that bulging belly?). But sex and pregnancy go hand in hand (after all, it is what got you here in the first place), and your sex life doesn’t have to stop with conception!

Couples wonder most often whether it’s safe to have sex while pregnant. The answer is yes! It’s perfectly safe to engage in both oral sex and intercourse while pregnant — his penis cannot hurt (or even reach) the baby, an orgasm will not trigger a miscarriage, and no, your baby isn’t aware of what you’re doing. In fact, studies have shown that couples who remain sexually active have a lower risk of premature labor, perhaps because they maintain a stronger bond with each other, which is known to have a positive effect on the outcome of a pregnancy. Your doctor may advise against sex at certain times, and because of certain conditions: in the first trimester, for example, if you are at a high risk of miscarriage; any time after the amniotic membrane sac has ruptured (in other words, if your water has broken); and in the last 8 to 12 weeks if you have a history of premature labor. But if your pregnancy is normal, sex is safe from the first day to the last. Many couples have sex right up to delivery — and for some, it’s better than it’s ever been.

While sexual desire may take a beating in the first and final trimesters — morning sickness and painfully sensitive breasts in the early months can leave you feeling anything but sexy, and fatigue, a formidable belly bump, and general discomfort can make sex an impossibility toward the end — the second trimester can sometimes send a woman’s sex drive to new heights. Hormonal changes may cause the vulva to become engorged, and increased blood flow to the area can increase your sensitivity, making sex significantly more intense. Some women experience orgasms, or multiple orgasms, for the very first time. His sexual interest may be peaked, too — you’re a hot mama in a whole new way now! Men often become excited by their partner’s new, suddenly “filled out” shape. Of course, there’s no guarantee your sex life will be sensational. There are women whose sexual desire is diminished, and who may chose to avoid sex altogether for much of their pregnancy. The bottom line is that when it comes to sexuality during your pregnancy, “normal” is whatever feels right to you.

Whether your sex drive takes a dip, dive, or leap, your body itself is certainly going to go through a host of changes — most notably in size! So how do you navigate that rather large lump between the two of you? Here are a few positions that’ll accommodate your blossoming new shape but still allow maximum pleasure for you both:

• Woman on Top. You can keep this position in your repertoire right up to your last trimester — it puts no pressure on your abdomen and allows you to control penetration.
• Reverse Cowgirl. With the same benefits you get from being on top, this position offers a little G-spot stimulation.
• Rear Entry. This position will keep you off your stomach and your back, but it can become difficult late in your pregnancy, when it may be too much of a strain to keep your belly off the bed!
• Spoon. This position is cozy and intimate for both of you, and lying on your side will be comfortable during all stages of your pregnancy.

If intercourse becomes too uncomfortable as your belly grows, you can switch to other types of sexual stimulation, such as masturbation. Keep an open dialogue with your partner about what feels good and what doesn’t — staying connected to each other physically and emotionally is important during this incredible time in your lives. You’re sharing something miraculous and beautiful, and connecting with one another in a wonderful and irreversible way. Enjoy this time together — and all the benefits that come with it!

3 Sep 2010 (0) comment