How do pregnant women really feel about sex?

Sexual relations as we know can foster and build a relationship but also provide individual benefits - relaxation, enjoyment, and a sense of well-being. Who needs this more during pregnancy than women?

But I guess you'll probably say - they have a few other things occupying their minds and sex may not be the top 3 items. And you may be right in some cases.

After all, who's in the mood with all the sickness, tiredness, heartburn, increasing size on the one hand etc - all the joy that comes with pregnancy, right?

In many cultures and communities sexual feelings and desires seem to be more easily discussed among men. That women can have or enjoy such desires or feelings is sometimes discussed covertly.

Actually, women do have some points to weigh in on this issue even though our opinions on the matter tend to be less vocal!

A 7-year-old study* carried out in Portugal prompted me to examine pregnant women's attitude to sex.

It draws a few interesting conclusions after surveying the opinions of over 150 women who had just given birth.

It reassures us that sex during pregnancy is generally not harmful, but shines the torchlight on certain attitudes that people hold in respect of sex and pregnancy.


The main concerns - shared by the woman and her partner - are that the baby may be harmed by the act of intercourse, or especially for the men, that the baby may be watching the sexual act.

There may also be concern that it may lead to abortion, or some harm to the baby's development, but this is not accurate.

However, the article does note that there are certain conditions when the activity of sexual intercourse can lead to harm which have been demonstrated medically, namely:

1. Placenta Praevia - a condition in which the placenta i.e. the organ which supports baby's growth, blood and food supply in the womb is lying low in the mother's womb, and may be susceptible to injury from the penis 'bumping' the womb during intercourse, which may lead to bleeding.

2. Blowing into the vagina - This is practised during MouthAction to increase stimulation and is very rare, but can cause serious problems as large breaths of air into the vagina could lead to the air getting into blood vessels and trapped. If this happens, it can lead to blockage (called air embolus) and can cause death if the blockage is carried to the lungs; or may affect the blood supply to the baby and to harm its development.


Other interesting thoughts that came out of this study were:

A woman's sexual desires during pregnancy generally do not change - in nearly 40% of pregnant women, sexual desires were normal, but a smaller percentage said it reduced.

And the quality of sex during pregnancy was also explored - the respondents indicated that half of women felt they were just as satisfied during sex while pregnant as they were before they got pregnant, but, a third said it was reduced.

OK; so far we find that there are a few hang ups about the safety of sex in pregnancy but in the main it is safe; and a fair proportion of ladies do not enjoy this activity so much during their pregnancy - but a larger proportion do.

But how often does the pregnant lady have sex? My final set of charts touch on this issue.

This study tells us that in the last trimester - yes even when everything is 'kicking off; - the body size is at its biggest, tiredness may be more as the body is working harder to support the growing baby, leg swelling, heart burn etc - more women have sex than those who do not!

In the entire course of the pregnancy, the period during which women will most frequently have intercourse is in the first trimester; the reasons are as shared above.

We should keep in mind that the whole state of pregnancy is associated with other issues like tiredness or pregnancy related sickness.

Also, the female body produces hormones or chemicals which support both Mum and baby to a healthy pregnancy outcome, and while so doing there are some other effects that may develop including reducing libido or sexual desire.

That said, many ladies sail through pregnancy with hardly any effects but others don't and there is no single right answer.

Enjoy your pregnancy (both men and women) and enjoy your sexual relationship while being aware that changes may happen for a short while as it progresses.

As usual, its lovely to get your ideas on my thoughts here and your comments are welcome in the section below.

Stay Well!


*http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=114509