Is It Safe to Have Sex During Pregnancy and After Delivery?

There are many misconceptions that sex during pregnancy should be avoided as it causes unwanted implications. While that may be true in a limited number of cases, for the vast majority of women sex during pregnancy has no ill effect at all. What's more, sex during pregnancy is even encouraged in order to strengthen the bond between the expecting couple and manage mood swings that are common during pregnancy for most women.

When Should You Avoid Sex During Pregnancy?

Your doctor may advise you to avoid sex during pregnancy in the following cases:

1) You are expecting twins or triplets.

2) You are experiencing vaginal bleeding, unusual discharge, and painful contractions.

3) You have a history of miscarriages or you're at risk of miscarriage.

4) The cervix has opened too early in pregnancy.

5) Your placenta is too low in the uterus, which is known as low-lying placenta or placenta previa.

6) Your OB-GYN (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) has advised against sex.

How does Your Sex drive During Pregnancy Change?

You'll discover that throughout your pregnancy your sex drive swings from- what is sex, why is sex to I can't get enough sex. Generally during your first trimester when you're feeling tired and have a never-ending headache your sex drive simply evaporates but as you reach your 2nd trimester it returns with a vengeance as a massive increase in hormones propels your libido through the sky. Keep in mind that this is generally true every woman is unique in her own way.

If both partners consent enthusiastically sex during pregnancy can be even more fun than normal sex as factors like birth control, especially hormonal birth control, trying to avoid an accidental pregnancy or trying to get pregnant and ensuring your entire sex life revolves around an ovulation cycle, simply don’t exist.

Which Sex Positions During Pregnancy are Safe?

While sex during pregnancy is safe for most couples, some positions may not be as comfortable as others. You will need to find which sex position works best for you and explore and experiment together.

You may find sex with your partner on top uncomfortable even early in pregnancy as your breasts may feel sore and tender. As your pregnancy progresses, you may find this position uncomfortable because of your baby bump.

Deep penetration may also be uncomfortable for you so, you may want to avoid it. It may be best for you to lie on your sides: you can either face your partner while having sex or do it with your partner behind you.

Another position you can try during pregnancy is with you on top or being penetrated from behind while you are on your hands and knees. You can use pillows to make yourself comfortable.

After Delivery, How Soon Can the Couple Have Sex?

The very thought of sex after giving birth is repulsive to many women, which is not surprising as you consider the number of factors that a woman and her body have to overcome to feel sexual desire again: nagging pain from delivery, out-of-control hormones, postpartum depression, body dysphoria due to the extreme body changes, night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal canal dryness and simply feeling constant exhaustion after tending to a new-born all day.

Most doctors strongly recommend waiting until four to six weeks after delivery, irrespective of the delivery method. It’s important to give your body time to heal and recover as the risk of having a complication after delivery is highest during the first two weeks after delivery. Importantly complications during birth like vaginal tears may require you to wait even longer.

This is where active and strong communication between the couple is critical, from using lubrication to experimenting with new positions, which don’t put too much pressure on the woman's body, nothing should be off the table to ensure the return of a vibrant sexual connection between the couple.

Ultimately sex after birth can feel like a chore, but healthy sex life is critical in ensuring that the bond of physical intimacy remains strong and the couple doesn’t start feeling like roommates. Feelings of disconnection due to lack of physical intimacy can cause long-term resentment in many couples.