Sex during pregnancy is still taboo for some women and a problem for many couples. The fear of miscarriage, of hurting the baby or causing birth afflicts many parents and it is time to demystify the topic.
Pregnant or not, the most important thing is that this act is consensual and pleasurable. Although many pregnant women say they feel more aroused during pregnancy, it is normal for this not to happen and for people to feel more excited at certain times and less at others, due to lubrication and fluctuations in hormones. The big question is: is it safe to have sex during pregnancy?
Sex during pregnancy
Having sex during pregnancy is safe. Unless you have a medical condition that prevents you from continuing sexual activity, having sex is healthy, whether for you, your partner or your baby. Laura Gomes, 25 years old, became a mother a year ago and reveals a little about her experience, sharing her limitations: “In the first three months of pregnancy, I felt like I was always on a boat and I was very nauseous, so I stopped completely. for three months; We did it twice at most. The second quarter was better and we were able to do more things, but with limited positions, of course”.
One of the fears that most afflicts future parents is that sex could hurt the baby. The truth is that the baby is protected inside the amniotic sac and, as such, there is no way for the penis to reach it, and it cannot be hurt. Likewise, the fear that sex will cause an abortion is also ruled out, as there is no contact between the penis and the baby.
Communicate openly
When it comes to sex during pregnancy, the most important thing is for the couple to speak openly, clarify any doubts with the doctor who is monitoring the pregnancy and decide what makes sense for both of them. Regardless of the position chosen or the frequency of sexual intercourse, it is very important that sex is consensual and pleasurable for both parties (especially for pregnant women, who undergo so many changes throughout pregnancy).
After giving birth, it is recommended that sexual life only be resumed four to six weeks later, because the woman's body needs time to recover: “The organs need time to return to their place (if we have a vaginal birth, we can have stitches)”, reports Laura.
Postpartum sex
Not all women have the same postpartum experience. In Laura's case, the nurse was asked what would be the ideal time to resume sexual relations, and she recommended that they resume having sex when they both felt ready. However, according to Laura's testimony, this does not correspond to reality: "My boyfriend and I did it, wrongly, two weeks after giving birth and it was horrible. It hurt, it wasn't pleasurable at all. After that experience, I gained a bit of fear and During the first two months it didn’t happen again”, shares Laura.
How do you resume your sex life after having a baby? In Laura's words, “it's never the same again”. “Between diapers and bottles, a body rebuilding itself, baby blues... we can't go back to the old days, but, as a couple, we talk about it a lot”, she says.
For Laura Gomes and many other women, the predisposition towards sexual intercourse also changes: “If before you were always eager to have sex, because you love that man and because everything about him excites you, after becoming a mother you end up in bed. trails and you have to decide: either you have sex, or take advantage of the time you have before bed and watch a film with them, something that is also important in the couple’s dynamics”, he explains.
As with the question of whether or not to have sex during pregnancy, in the postpartum period, communication between the couple is essential. “What has worked best for us is oral sex, because it is faster. It’s still satisfying and you can do it in different places, like in the car or in the shower”, concludes Laura. Within the dynamics of each relationship, both parties must decide what makes sense for them and how they intend to maintain old habits after starting this new life as parents.
If you are pregnant or have recently become a mother, check with your doctor to find out whether or not it is advisable to resume your sex life after giving birth.
