Everything You Need To Know About Sex During Pregnancy
Many expectant parents worry about having sex during the pregnancy. The fear is that they will somehow hurt the baby or that it will hurt in general. The truth is that you can actually have a very positive sex life during pregnancy.
Pregnancy hormones are responsible for the many changes that pregnancy brings. It is the reason why for so many months a pregnant woman feels nauseous. During this time the woman may go into survival mode. She may sleep a lot, avoid social situations and find it difficult to be around random foods and smells. There is a very strong possibility that during this phase her libido will not be at an all-time high.
It is also worth noting that when intimacy does occur a pregnant woman may not be interested in some of the activities she previously enjoyed. It could be due to hormones or her changing body. Communication is more important now than ever and pressure will only add to the stress.
Pregnancy fatigue can strike at any stage during the pregnancy and could be your biggest obstacle. Have you noticed a pattern as to when the fatigue strikes most? If you both want to be intimate but find that fatigue is getting in the way it might be helpful to think outside the box. For example evening time may have been typically when the magic happened before the pregnancy. Morning time could now be your best friend. It could be the time of the day where sickness and fatigue are at an all-time low. Change can be a good thing.
Pretending that the growing baby bump is not in the room is not going to help anybody. It is a physical presence that will absolutely affect the positions that will work for you both. Embracing this from the beginning will make things more positive for everyone. Changing things up is not a bad thing and comfort is key. Many pregnant couples claim that a spooning position works really well.
Some women feel sexier than ever when they are pregnant. The hormones are working for them and they feel really connected to their bodies. Unfortunately, this is not the case for all women. Some can struggle to see themselves as sexy or desirable which proves to be a huge obstacle when trying to feel in the mood. Her breasts may be leaking and her vagina may feel completely different due to the changes in blood flow and mucous. It is important to speak openly and honestly about how you are both feeling to work through this issue. Feeling desired by your partner is very important but how you view yourself is even more important. During this time it might be nice to hear compliments from your partner more regularly as it offers a confidence boost which always helps.
For most couples sex during pregnancy is very safe. Your baby is protected by amniotic fluid and the cervix. In certain cases, your care team may suggest abstaining from sex or certain activities if there is a risk of pre-term labour or concerns about the placenta. In general, though it is not considered dangerous to maintain a sex life during the course of the pregnancy. If you experience bleeding after sex or if you fear that you might be leaking amniotic fluid it is important to bring it to your doctor’s attention.
Written by Tracey Quinn staff writer at FFHQ who also blogs at www.loveofliving.ie.
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