How To Have A Safe Sex During Pregnancy

You may have a bump so big that touching your toes is tricky. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy great sex right up until you give birth. Here’s how…

Before we go any further let’s get one thing straight: for the majority of women it’s perfectly safe to have sex throughout your pregnancy, so you can stop worrying about harming your unborn baby. For many mums-to-be, though, sex is the last thing on your mind – morning sickness, tiredness and a bulging bump, coupled with anxiety about hurting your unborn baby, isn’t a great recipe for feeling sexy. But whether you’re feeling fat or fruity, your reaction to sex is completely normal.

SAFE AND SOUND

Do you worry about what happens to your growing baby while you’re having fun between the sheets? Don’t. As long as your pregnancy isn’t considered high-risk, your baby is perfectly safe. She’s well protected inside a sac of amniotic fluid within your uterus, which is sealed off by a thick mucus plug in your cervix, a safe distance from your vagina. If she’s almost due and her head is engaged, though, you may find it more comfortable to avoid deep penetration.

The only times you might be warned to avoid sex are if you have threatened premature labour, have previously had a miscarriage, have a lowlying placenta or if you’re carrying twins. And talk to your gynaecologist if you bleed during or after sex, or if you feel pain. Oral sex is safe, too, but your partner should avoid blowing into your vagina as the air could enter your bloodstream and might cause an infection, which could be dangerous for your baby.