Sex while pregnant is beneficial not just for you as the expectant mother, but for your baby as well. It's safer than any other kind of sexual activity you can have. Sex while pregnant isn't just primarily safe, it offers many advantages such as better intimacy and pain relief for you and your baby. You'll find that with some easy planning, you and your baby can enjoy the benefits of sex during pregnancy without having to go through the trauma of childbirth. Sex while pregnant can easily be introduced into your routine as long as you take precautions and don't try anything you aren't sure of. There are also many benefits to sex during pregnancy that both you and the baby can enjoy.
Will sex while pregnant improve labor?
Improved Labor – During the last trimester of your pregnancy, there is an increased risk of early labor. This happens because your cervix starts to dilate and widen. With increased blood flow, it reaches the uterus earlier and allows contractions to take place earlier, allowing for an easier birth. Sex may prevent early labor by stimulating contractions. Not only does it help with labor, but sex may also increase your bonding and make you feel closer to your baby.
Enhanced Baby Experience – Sex while pregnant provides an unparalleled opportunity to bond with your baby. The more often you have sex, the more you are able to caress, kiss and comfort for your growing child. Your partner's penis has many nerve endings that provide you with the heightened sensations of arousal that is important in introducing sex into your lovemaking. The added stimulation from anal sex or oral sex can also help to reduce the stress that is often placed on the mother during labor and on the baby as well. Not only does it provide a pleasurable experience for you as the mother, it can be a time for the father to hold his child. In fact, most sex therapy programs recommend that couples enjoy having anal sex or oral sex at least six times before delivery.
Trouble Having Sex – One of the most common problems encountered by pregnant women is trouble having sex. Many pregnant women have difficulties achieving orgasm. This is especially true if the woman had sex several weeks ago or if she has not had sex at all. As a result, men usually have premature ejaculation. Fortunately, there are many ways to overcome this problem.
Maintain Focused Interests – Sex while pregnant requires that you keep focused. While it is easy to get distracted, especially during the first trimester, it is critical that you remember what brought you to pregnancy in the first place. You should also maintain a desire to breastfeed or to carry to term. Doing so will allow your baby to receive the nutrients needed to grow properly. It will also make sex more enjoyable because your baby will receive the attention that he or she needs to survive.
Vaginal Odor – Another problem that many women experience during sex is odor. If you are worried about smells being associated with having sex, then you should know that the odors that develop after intercourse are actually the discharge of your baby. If you are worried that your vagina may be wet, then prepare for vaginal discharge which can range from light to heavy. The discharge is actually a good thing because it stimulates the vaginal muscles which helps to dilate the cervix. However, if your vagina is very dry and does not produce any discharge at all, then you may have developed a yeast infection.
No Orgasms or Lesser Orgasms – If you are experiencing difficulty having sex, it may be because you have had preterm labor or your pregnancy progresses to term. Unfortunately, a higher level of estrogen can cause early labor so you may need to adjust your estrogen levels accordingly. After the baby is born, you will be more likely to have fewer orgasms. In addition, sex during pregnancy requires that you relax enough to allow the muscle spasms in the pelvic floor to take place. Less relaxation or lack of lubrication can cause you to have less of these spasms and therefore, lesser orgasms.
These three things above can decrease sex drive and overall enjoyment of sex. To increase your sex drive and to minimize the above-mentioned problems, you should start taking prenatal vitamins and increasing your calcium and iron intake. You should also start an exercise program right away so that your muscles, bones, and hormones will be ready for your baby. By following these tips, you can expect to have a successful pregnancy and a happy and fulfilling life afterwards.