How couples should take care of sexual activity during pregnancy?

Objectives: To inform pregnant women about the benefits of sexual activity during pregnancy and provide safety tips for doing so.

Dr Pulkit Nandwani - Senior Consultant Gynaecologist in Fortis, Shalimar Bagh talks about the information the couples must have during pregnancy. 

There are a myriad of changes a pregnant woman undergoes – be it physically, emotionally or hormonally. Women usually like to be in control of their body as well as their emotions. But during pregnancy,  this is usually not possible. Due to hormonal effects on the body, a pregnant lady undergoes many ups and downs in physical as well as emotional well being.

She gets support from all near her but some embarrassing questions related to sexual activity during pregnancy go unanswered.

The hormonal changes during pregnancy might generate different sexual feelings at different time periods of pregnancy. Now every woman is different and even every pregnancy is different.

Some women find that during pregnancy they experience raging hormones which make them feel sexier physically and generate more of an urge. While some women are not comfortable with either physical changes in their body or may be medically be not well enough to even think about any kind of sexual activity.

If we divide nine months of pregnancy into 3 parts of 3 months each ( trimesters), we generally see a pattern.

The First Trimester

Most of the time during the 1^St trimester , a pregnant lady maybe feeling nauseous or prone to vomitings. She usually gets tired very easily and may experience some tenderness in lower abdomen at this time. Even breast tenderness and heaviness is quite common at this time. Smell issues also be there. Even though physically there might be not much changes , still a pregnant women is not comfortable with her body during this time. Sex at this time period of pregnancy may not be her priority or even on her mind.

 

In the Second Trimester

In the 2^nd trimester , once the nausea and vomiting feelings have subsided, the pregnant women feel more like herself and more energetic. This is the time when sexual urge starts appearing .  The sexual hormones rage maximum during fourth or fifth month of pregnancy and thus cause a rise in urge and libido. Sex during pregnancy is not a taboo.

Unless abstinence medically  advised by the doctor ( like in cases of low lying placenta, infections, short mouth of uterus, history of bleeding in pregnancy, history of miscarriages , etc. ) sex during pregnancy is quite safe if done with little precautions.

The good thing about lovemaking at this time is that there is no need  of contraception. The baby is fully cushioned inside the uterus in Amniotic fluid ( sac filled with liquid ). Even the angle of vagina is such with the angle of uterus that there is no danger of touching. There is a mucus plug at the mouth of the uterus which prevents any infection from ascending up to the uterus.

Sex at this time of pregnancy is quite safe with some positional adjustments and no rough movements. Some cramping sensations might be experienced by some women after sex in lower abdomen but this usually settles down in few minutes. Even nipple stimulation may promote lower abdominal cramps for sometime.

 In the Third Trimester

Things get little trickier in the third trimester of pregnancy because the pregnant lady gets tired very easily. There are physical aspects also to deal with – like a large baby bump obstructing any close contact. In last days of pregnancy , the doctor may advise against due to risk of water breakage or pains.

 Dealing with Your Partner

Your relationship with your partner will undergo considerable changes during pregnancy. It is very important to maintain a healthy relationship with your partner. While everyone around is focusing on the pregnant woman, her partner is also under a lot of stress.

Any drop in physical activity from his side might not be because he does not find you beautiful. The partners are most of the time scared that sex may hurt baby or you. He may be just giving you space as he understands the physical changes you are undergoing.

If your partner is reluctant to make love , it might be because he is frightened of something going wrong.  He may even feel jealous or unsure of your love , thinking that baby will become your first priority. Pregnancy is a hugely emotional time for your partner also, and he is also experiencing conflicting emotions as well.

Thus, it is extremely important to communicate with your partner to continue with the loving relationship.

Even if sex is on the back burner sometimes during pregnancy, intimacy in the form of cuddling will make both of you feel loved and wanted. Once a week dinner date is a very good idea to discuss all aspects. The thing to remember is that you are not alone and what you are feeling is quite common. The most important thing is to connect emotionally during pregnancy.