Sex during pregnancy

As long as your pregnancy is proceeding normally, you can have sex as often as you like. Its better to avoid it in first 3 months and last 3 months. There is an increase in vaginal lubrication; engorgement of the genital area helps some people become orgasmic for the first time or multi-orgasmic. Unexplained vaginal bleeding is an absolute contraindications for sex during pregnancy.

 

Is it ok to have sex during pregnancy?

As long as your pregnancy is proceeding normally, you can have sex as often as you like.

But you may not always want to.

Ø At first trimister, hormonal fluctuations, fatigue and nausea may sap your sexual desire

Ø During the second trimester, increased blood flow to your sexual organs and breasts may rekindle your desire for sex

Ø During the third trimester, weight gain, back pain and other symptoms may once again dampen your enthusiasm for sex

 

But there are many reasons why sex during pregnancy can be more enjoyable, even if you are doing it less.

 

There is an increase in vaginal lubrication; engorgement of the genital area helps some people become orgasmic for the first time or multi-orgasmic

 

Can sex during pregnancy cause a miscarriage?

Most of the early miscarriages are usually related to chromosomal abnormalities or other problems in the developing baby.

·        But it is always better to avoid sex during first trimester (12 weeks), though the chances of miscarriage are less, few
cases of have been reported

·        It’s better to avoid sex in last trimester (last 3 months) as rupture of bag of membranes can cause premature labor

 

Does sex during pregnancy harm the baby?

Your developing baby is protected by the amniotic fluid in your uterus, as well as the mucous plug that blocks the cervix throughout most of your pregnancy.

Sexual activity won’t affect your baby.

 

What are the best sexual positions during pregnancy?

As long as you’re comfortable, most sexual positions are OK during pregnancy

As your pregnancy progresses, experiment to find what works best Rather than lying on your back, you might want to lie next to your partner sideways or position yourself on top of your partner or in front of your partner

 

Safe sexual positions in pregnancy

·        Woman on top- this allows you to control the depth of penetration, and the majority of the movement

·        Spooning- usually its best if the man is behind allowing his penis to go between your thighs and enter you from behind

·        Hands & Knees- this is a very good position for pregnant women again because of the lack of direct pressure on the abdomen

 

What about oral and anal sex?

·        Oral sex is safe during pregnancy. There’s a caveat, however

·        If you receive oral sex, make sure your partner doesn’t blow air into your vagina

·        Rarely, a burst of air may block a blood vessel (air embolism) — which could be a life-threatening condition for you and the baby

Generally, anal sex isn’t recommended during pregnancy.

Anal sex may be uncomfortable if you have pregnancy-related haemorrhoids.

More concerning, anal sex may allow infection-causing bacteria to spread from the rectum to the vagina.

 

Should my partner use a condom?

Exposure to sexually transmitted diseases during pregnancy increases the risk of infections that can affect your pregnancy and your baby’s health.

Use a condom if your partner has a sexually transmitted disease, you’re not in a mutually monogamous relationship or you choose to have sex with a new partner during pregnancy.

 

Can orgasms trigger premature labour?

Orgasms can cause uterine contractions.

But these contractions are different from the contractions you’ll feel during labor.

If you have a normal pregnancy, orgasms — with or without intercourse — don’t seem to increase the risk of premature labor or premature birth.

 

Are there times when sex should be avoided?

ü You are at a risk of premature labour

ü Unexplained vaginal bleeding

ü Leaking amniotic fluid

ü Cervical incompetence

ü Placenta previa

ü Active sexually transmitted disease of partner

 

After the baby is born, how soon can I have sex?

ü Whether you give birth vaginally or by C-section, your body will need time to heal

ü It’s recommended to wait for four to six weeks before resuming intercourse

ü This allows time for your cervix to close and any tears or a repaired episiotomy to heal

 

Bleeding during sex

v Post-coital bleeding is bleeding from the vagina after sex. It is not a normal phenomenon and warrants medical attention. If you notice that you tend to bleed during or after intercourse, consult a doctor at the earliest.

v Bleeding during sex may be noticed in thecourse of, or after intercourse (post-coital bleeding). It is not a normal phenomenon and warrants medical attention. If you notice that you tend to bleed after making love, consult a doctor at the earliest.

v The most serious cause of post-coital bleeding is cervical cancer or early cancerous changes in the cervix.

 

Some common causes of bleeding during sex

The causes of post coital bleeding can be broadly divided into four groups:

v Cancerous or precancerous conditions 

·        Cervical cancer

·        Cervical dysplasia

·        Vaginal cancer

v Trauma or injury

·        A cut or sore in the vagina

·        Vigorous sex resulting in injury

·        Vaginal dryness resulting in injury during normal sex

·        Intrauterine devices can cause bleeding from irritation and friction

·        Lowered estrogen level as in perimenopausal or post menopausal woman.

·        Drying and narrowing of the vagina

·        Hymen rupture during first intercourse — this is normal, So dont worry

v Infections

·        Chlamydia infection

·        Gonorrhea infection

·        Vaginitis or cervicitis

·        Trichomonas vaginalis

·        Vaginal yeast infection

v Abnormal growths

·        An abnormal growth in the vagina or cervix such as polyps

·        Endometritis or adenomyosis

·        Uterine polyps

·        Fibroid tumors

 

Diagnostic tests

Your doctor may need to do a few tests to determine the cause of bleeding.

Ø Physical examination

Ø Pap smear

Ø Vaginal or cervical swab

Ø Vaginal speculum examination

Ø Pregnancy test

Ø Colposcopy

Ø Dilatation and curettage

Ø Endometrial sampling

Ø Cervical biopsy

Ø Blood tests

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Ifit is due to infections treatment of infection is required. If it is due to vaginal dryness at menopause, use of lubricants is advised.

 

Information for women

It is important for you to understand the following points about post-coital bleeding.

Ø Commonest cause or causes of bleeding

Ø Whether further investigation is indicated

Ø Information about investigations, if needed

Ø The chances of a serious cause like cancer

Ø Chances of other causes being present

Ø When to come for follow-up if symptoms persist or recur

Ø Cervical smear is a screening test that will indicate the cancer in 80 to 90% cases but may miss it in the remaining 10 to 20% of them.

 

 

 

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