Sex During Pregnancy: Safety, Benefits, & Useful Tips

You won’t hurt your baby when you and your partner get intimate, and, in fact, doing so can benefit your mental and physical health.

With that said, there are a few instances where your doctor might ask you to refrain from sex. Keep reading to learn what those situations are and what other sex-related items you should be aware of during pregnancy.

Again, not only is having sex during pregnancy generally safe, it’s also good for you. Its benefits include:

• Physical activity: While it’s not as much of a workout as other kinds of exercise, having sex burns calories, which helps you (and your partner!) stay fit throughout your pregnancy. 1
• Mood boost: When you have orgasms, your body releases endorphins, which are natural mood elevators that make you feel happier and more relaxed. 2
• Stronger connection: Maintaining a healthy sex life during pregnancy can help you stay emotionally connected with your partner. That’s great news given how rapidly your lives will both change during this period.

Beyond those side benefits, there’s some evidence showing that sex during pregnancy might be just plain better than usual, too. There can be an increase in blood flow to your pelvis during pregnancy, making your genital area more sensitive. 3 This may lead to more intense and satisfying orgasms.

Does sex feel different during pregnancy?

Sex might feel different during pregnancy due to your hormonal shifts and the physical changes in your body.

We’ve already mentioned your increased blood flow; in addition to that, some of your favorite positions from before your pregnancy might feel uncomfortable when you have a growing baby inside of you (especially during your later trimesters).

That isn’t anything you should worry about—you’ll just need to adapt to it to keep sex enjoyable during this period.

Does your sex drive change when you’re pregnant?

It’s normal to have a lower sex drive while you’re pregnant, especially during your third trimester. 4

Women often have morning sickness (nausea and vomiting), especially during the first three to four months of the pregnancy. 5 Pregnancy can also trigger headaches, backache, and leg cramps. These discomforts can lower your sex drive.

In your last trimester, you might feel too big and tired to have sex, which is understandable—you’re carrying a near-full-grown baby at that point!

However, every pregnancy is different, and some pregnant women even find their libido increasing. 6

Most of the time, sex is perfectly safe when you’re pregnant. However, your doctor may ask you to put a pause on it if you have any of the following: 7

• Signs of early labor or a history of premature labor
• Pain in your vagina or abdomen
• Bleeding from your vagina
• Untreated sexually transmitted infections in you or your partner
• Leaking of amniotic fluid
• A short cervix
• A multiple pregnancy (twins or triplets)
• Pelvic girdle pain or symphysis pubis dysfunction (you may not have to stop having sex completely, but might need to avoid certain positions)

Note about bleeding: To get specific about one of those symptoms, bleeding from your vagina can be a symptom of placenta previa, which is when you have a low-lying placenta entirely or partially covering the opening to your cervix. 8

If you have this issue, your doctor may ask you to refrain from sex or even put you on bed rest.

Is it normal to bleed or cramp after sex?

Most of the time you don’t have to worry if you have spotting or mild cramping after sex. Your cervix might just be more sensitive. You may also get Braxton Hicks contractions (light “practice” contractions) afterwards. 9 10

However, if you experience heavy bleeding or persistent bleeding or you have severe cramping, call your doctor.

Is it safe to have sex during the third trimester?

Yes, it’s safe to have sex during the third trimester as long as you’ve had a healthy, normal pregnancy. In fact, you can have sex right up until delivery. 11

While sex is safe during the third trimester, you might need to experiment to find comfortable positions that won’t put pressure on your belly (more on that later).

Can sex induce labor?

You may have heard that sex can induce labor. This is mostly a myth without any proven evidence behind it. Sex is thought to cause uterine contractions through the release of oxytocin, and semen contains prostaglandins that may help ripen the cervix. 12

However, these factors are unlikely to be strong enough to trigger labor on their own unless your body is already close to being ready (meaning you don’t have to worry about sex leading to premature birth).

If you’re full-term and up for it, there’s no harm in trying, but don’t get too excited. Odds are, if you have sex and go into labor shortly after, it was just about due to happen anyway.

You may need to adjust your sex positions to find the most comfortable ones as your body changes, particularly from the second trimester onward (which is when most women start showing and need to make more accommodations for their changing bodies).

Here are some of the most popular pregnancy sex positions you can try:

• Side-by-side: This is when you and your partner lie on your sides and face each other, your bodies creating a V shape. This position is suitable for all stages of pregnancy, as it keeps your partner’s weight off your back and belly.
• Spooning: A variation of the last one, spooning also involves both people lying on their sides. However, your partner will face your back instead of your face and enter from behind. This is a gentle, relaxed position that many people feel allows for a more intimate experience.
• Rear-entry: In this position, you get down on all fours, and your partner stands or kneels behind you. You can rest your head and arms on the bed, relieving some of your belly weight.
• Woman-on-top: Lastly, this position requires you to straddle your partner while he lies flat on his back. Being on top lets you control the penetration speed, depth, and angle.

You may notice that the missionary position isn’t on the list, which is no accident. The positions above all avoid putting pressure on your belly or having you lie on your back, something that missionary requires.

The last thing you want during pregnancy is pressure on your belly, and you also shouldn’t lie flat on your back for extended periods, especially in the second and third trimesters. Doing so could cause your blood pressure to drop significantly. 13

Other ways to be intimate during pregnancy

In addition to vaginal intercourse, you can explore other ways to be intimate with your partner. They’re generally safe and can help keep the spark alive in your relationship.

Oral sex

For the most part, it’s safe to have oral sex (and swallow semen) during pregnancy. Just make sure your partner doesn’t blow air into your vagina during oral sex. While it’s rare, this can cause an air embolism, a potentially fatal condition linked to air entering your bloodstream. 14

Avoid receiving oral sex completely if your partner has an active outbreak of oral herpes. Be especially careful during your last trimester. 15

Always ask your partner about their STI status. If you’re unsure or want to be on the safe side, use a dental dam during oral sex to protect yourself.

Anal sex

Unfortunately, hemorrhoids are a common condition among pregnant women due to the extra pressure on the anus. You might have hemorrhoids if you notice: 16

• Painless, bright red blood on your underwear or tissues
• Itching or pain in your anus, particularly when you’re sitting
• Pain when you’re having bowel movements
• A tender lump (or lumps) near your anus

It probably goes without saying that you should avoid anal sex if you have hemorrhoids. They hurt, and aggravating them can make them bleed.

Other than that, practice safe anal sex just like you did when you weren’t pregnant. Don’t transition from anal to vaginal penetration changing sex toys or having your partner wash up first. It can lead to bacterial vaginosis, which may increase the risk of premature labor. 17

Foreplay

Foreplay is a great way to connect with your partner, whether you’re pregnant or not. Experiment to find what feels good to you, whether that’s kissing, cuddling, or engaging in other forms of physical touch.

Certain body parts, such as your breasts, may become more sensitive as your pregnancy progresses. Be open with your partner about your changing sensitivities and preferences. 18

Masturbation and sex toys

There’s no problem with masturbating or using sex toys during pregnancy. Just be sure to clean all your sex toys thoroughly before and after you use them to prevent infection. 6

Stop using sex toys if you feel pain, cramping, or any other discomfort. Let your doctor know of any issues so they can assess your health.

Most people remain just as attracted (and attractive) to their partners when they’re pregnant. However, anxiety about parenthood or fear of hurting the baby may affect your libido, or your partner’s.

It’s important to communicate with your partner openly—pregnancy is no time to be shy. Share your feelings, discuss your needs, and reassure each other. If one of you isn’t in the mood for sex, find other ways to connect, such as kissing, cuddling, or just spending quality time together.

In most cases, having sex during pregnancy is perfectly fine, and doctors actually encourage it. Remember, it can put you in a good mood and help you stay fit!

Try different positions to find what suits you and your partner best. You might surprise yourself by enjoying a position you didn’t like before pregnancy.

If you have any medical concerns, don’t hesitate to discuss them with your doctor. Unless they ask you to stop having sex, relax and have fun.