Is sex safe in pregnancy?

Once a baby is in the oven, it is normal to hesitate to be intimate with the concern of the potential impact of sex on the baby while pregnant. However, sex is safe in pregnancy - 100%.

We will list reasons when you would want to refrain from intercourse and discuss with your provider, but a healthy pregnancy during all trimesters leaves no reason to not enjoy being with your partner. In fact, many women find that they enjoy this special time even more! That is because of the blood flow to the vaginal area, which helps to stimulate your clitoris.

Now the biggest concern that comes with sexual intercourse is if anything can reach or cause harm to the baby. The good news is that your body is greatly designed to protect baby while in the womb.

Meet your uterus

First, the baby is protected by the amniotic sac. The amniotic sac is made up of the amino and chorion, which contains the amniotic fluid. Around the amniotic sac is the mother's uterus. the uterus is that it is made of three parts. The inner layer is the endometrium, the middle layer is the myometrium and the outer layer perimetrium. The interesting part about the uterus is that the middle layer makes up the most volume of the uterus and is the muscular layer.

So, with those muscles alone, nothing can reach the baby during intercourse. But even then there is another layer of protection, which includes the mucus plug. The mucus plug seals off at the cervix ensuring that bacteria does not reach the uterus or baby.

That is about five layers of protection from penetration and movement! Your body is made to still enjoy sex during pregnancy!

There are also benefits to intercourse during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester, as you approach your due date. The semen from the male contains prostaglandins, which can help soften your cervix and stimulate contractions. Though this does not guarantee to bring on labor, it does help your body prepare for labor!

When you shouldn’t have sex

There are times when you should refrain from sex during pregnancy, which includes:

-if your amniotic fluids are leaking or have ruptured

-if you are at risk for preterm labor, which is anything before 37 weeks

-if you have had a history of miscarriages

-if you have any bleeding or unnormal vaginal discharge.

Each of these are items to discuss with your provider to determine if sex during pregnancy is safe for you.