How Should Sexuality Be During Pregnancy?
Is Sex Safe During Pregnancy (Gestation)?
In a normal pregnancy, sexual intercourse during pregnancy is safe for the mother and the baby and does not pose any risks. Physiologically, having intercourse during pregnancy does not negatively affect sexual life, and continuing sexuality does not negatively affect pregnancy. On the contrary, the feeling of closeness is important for the strengthening of the couple's relationship.
Does Sex During Pregnancy Harm the Baby?
Sex during pregnancy does not harm the baby or the pregnancy process if the pregnancy is going smoothly and no complications have developed. The belief that the baby may be harmed is due to the couple's inadequate information and false beliefs. The vagina and the uterus are different organs. While the baby continues to develop in a comfortable and protected environment in the uterus and amniotic fluid, sexual intercourse takes place in the vagina.
Does Sexual Life During Pregnancy Harm the Mother's Health?
In healthy pregnant women, having sexual intercourse during pregnancy does not harm the mother's health. On the contrary, maintaining a healthy sexual life and maintaining the feeling of closeness between the couple will help the mothers and fathers-to-be feel better spiritually.
In Which Situations Should Sexual Intercourse Be Avoided During Pregnancy?
- In cases of bleeding during pregnancy, low-lying placenta, or cervical dilatation, it may be necessary to abstain from sexual intercourse. If there is such a risk during your pregnancy, your doctor will inform you.
- In addition, if the amniotic fluid breaks, sexual intercourse should be avoided and the woman should be immediately hospitalized to prevent any infection.
- In addition, if there is a problem such as the opening of the cervix, sexual intercourse can cause premature birth or miscarriage. Multiple pregnancy, a history of previous premature birth, or being in the final stages of pregnancy are also among the situations that require abstinence from sexual intercourse.
- In cases where sexual intercourse is painful or the pregnant woman is not happy, sexual intercourse should be paused.
How is Sexual Life Affected During the Early Period of Pregnancy?
The first three months of pregnancy, the first stages of pregnancy, are the process of the mother-to-be adapting to the role of “motherhood”. The first months of pregnancy are a period when a woman’s desire for sexual intercourse may decrease. The mother-to-be’s thoughts and concerns about caring for and protecting the baby, being a good mother, and continuing to be a good wife and, if she is working, a good businesswoman may increase.
If we evaluate sexual intercourse in the first weeks of pregnancy, the expectant mother may experience physical fatigue, inclination to sleep, nausea and vomiting, weight gain, breast tenderness, etc., and this may result in a decrease in sexual desire. Undoubtedly, this process is also affected by whether the baby is planned or not, and the husband's attitude towards the pregnancy and his pregnant wife.
What to Expect in Sexual Life During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy (Gestation)?
Between the third and sixth months of pregnancy, pregnancy is accepted, general fatigue and sleepiness have decreased or passed. In fact, this period is considered to be the period when the pregnant woman feels the best physically and mentally. In parallel with this, it is expected that there will be an increase in sexual desire, arousal and orgasm capacity in women. Physically, blood flow to the genitals increases, which has positive effects on arousal and orgasm. Some women report that their strongest orgasms are during pregnancy. Of course, during this period, pleasure from sex will be possible for women who have gotten rid of their false beliefs, have been correctly informed about the relationship during pregnancy, have a positive view of sex beforehand and allow sex.
How is Sexual Life Affected in the Late Stages of Pregnancy?
During this period, sexual desire may decrease again. The woman may have physical difficulties, feel tired, have concerns about the birth, and the baby's future concerns may come to the forefront and sexuality may be postponed. However, considering that it will be difficult for couples to be alone for a while after birth, it is clear that couples should also prioritize sexual intimacy during this period.
When Can Sexual Intercourse Be Prohibited During Pregnancy?
In risky pregnancies, your obstetrician will give you the necessary warnings. In pregnancies that progress normally, sexual intercourse should be continued in different ways according to the woman's demands and conditions at different stages of pregnancy. Until recently, sexual intercourse was not recommended for pregnant women in the last month due to the growing belly and physical difficulties. In recent years, obstetricians have agreed that sexuality and intercourse can continue healthily until birth.
How Should Partner Support Be During Sexual Intercourse During Pregnancy?
- Partner support is very important in every aspect of pregnancy. Partners should act by considering the physical and emotional needs of the pregnant person.
- Desires for sexual intercourse may change during pregnancy, and this is natural. It is very important to pay attention to what the pregnant person wants and to help her feel comfortable.
- During pregnancy, there may be physical fatigue, hormonal changes and emotional changes. Therefore, it is necessary to support the pregnant person by paying attention to their physical and emotional needs.
- Establishing open and sincere communication during sexual intercourse during pregnancy (pregnancy) and trying to understand the concerns, expectations and needs of the partner will ensure that the relationship continues in a healthier and better way.
What Positions Are Appropriate During Sexual Intercourse During Pregnancy (Gestation)?
In fact, the couple's preference is always important for sexual intercourse positions during pregnancy. It would be better not to put pressure on the expectant mother's abdomen during sexual intercourse and for the expectant father not to put his weight on the expectant mother. In short, in terms of sexual positions during pregnancy, positions where the woman is on top or on the side can be recommended.
Are Men's Sexual Lives Also Affected by Pregnancy?
There are many changes for the father candidate, such as adapting to the role of a fish, the responsibilities of being a father, and the feeling of exclusion that the baby may experience as it grows in the womb. The spouse who used to be a lover is now a mother lover, and the breasts that were objects of pleasure for him are now different from those that feed the baby. Concerns that he may harm his wife and the baby can also keep men away from sexuality.
How can couples cope with sexual problems that occur during pregnancy?
During this period, it is very important for couples to talk openly with each other and to obtain accurate information. Considering that we live in a society where talking about sexuality is considered shameful, some couples may avoid talking about sexuality during this period.
Couples who can talk about sexuality with each other and express their mutual desires can go through this period much healthier. If sexuality is not discussed and information about the changes that may occur during pregnancy is not obtained, problems related to the marital relationship will be added to the sexual problems, and the couple will drift apart just when they need each other the most.
Sometimes a woman or a man may refuse sexual intercourse due to a decrease in sexual desire. This situation may be perceived as unwanted by the partner, but what is unwanted is sexuality, and sometimes it is sexual intercourse. During pregnancy, it is very important for both women and men for couples to hug and touch each other.
Sometimes partners have sexual desires, but the man does not express his sexual desire to the woman so as not to make her uncomfortable, while the woman may stay away from her husband, thinking that she will not be seen as an object of sexual desire due to her changing body. Trying to understand each other through appropriate sharing and, when necessary, getting counseling from a specialist health professional will solve the problems.
How Can Sexual Life Be Sustained If Sexual Intercourse Must Be Avoided During Pregnancy Due to Medical Reasons?
Perceiving sexuality only as “sexual intercourse” limits sexuality at every stage of the relationship, especially during pregnancy. Since the lack of sexual education and therefore sexual information in our country reinforces the myths that sexuality will occur through sexual intercourse, sexuality is completely avoided when there is a medical reason for which intercourse is prohibited during pregnancy. However, the only thing that the gynecologist who is monitoring your pregnancy can prohibit for medical reasons is intercourse. Sex without intercourse; sexuality can always continue during pregnancy (gestation) with touching, hugging, kissing and stimulating each other, masturbation or mutual masturbation.
