Sex During Pregnancy: When It Is Fine and When to Ask

Sex in pregnancy: how to think about it

ACOG guidance states that sex during pregnancy is safe for most people, and that it will not hurt the baby. The baby is cushioned by amniotic fluid within the amniotic sac and the uterus is surrounded by strong muscle, so ordinary sex does not reach or injure the pregnancy. Orgasm can cause mild uterine contractions, which in an uncomplicated pregnancy is not associated with preterm labour. The exceptions are specific rather than general, and clinicians advise against sex where there is placenta praevia, unexplained vaginal bleeding, ruptured membranes, or a history that makes preterm birth more likely. Interest in sex often changes across the trimesters for reasons including nausea, tiredness and body changes, and guidance treats that as normal rather than as a problem to fix.

Sex: safer choices

• Continuing a normal sex life in an uncomplicated pregnancy. ACOG guidance treats this as safe and notes it does not harm the baby, who is protected by the amniotic sac and the muscles of the uterus.
• Changing positions for comfort as pregnancy progresses. Comfort rather than safety is usually the limiting factor later on.
• Expecting mild cramping or spotting afterwards on occasion, which can happen and is not automatically a problem, though it is worth mentioning to your midwife.
• Talking to your midwife or doctor if you are unsure whether anything in your pregnancy changes the advice for you.

Sex: what to avoid or double-check

• Avoid sex if your clinician has advised against it, which may apply with placenta praevia, a history of preterm labour, a cervical stitch, unexplained bleeding, or if your waters have broken.
• Avoid blowing air into the vagina during oral sex, which is specifically cautioned against because of the risk of an air embolism.
• Do not ignore heavy bleeding, painful contractions, or fluid leaking afterwards. Those warrant contacting your maternity unit rather than waiting.
• Do not assume a partner infection is irrelevant. Sexually transmitted infections matter in pregnancy and should be tested and treated.

How SafeMama helps

SafeMama focuses on product labels, so for this topic the useful checks are lubricants and any topical products you use, which it can look at ingredient by ingredient.

Open the SafeMama app, scan the barcode or search the ingredient, then use the result as a starting point for a conversation with your healthcare provider.

Sources

• ACOG is it safe to have sex during pregnancy
• NHS keeping well in pregnancy