When to stop sex during pregnancy

Table of Contents Show

Is Sex During Pregnancy Safe?
Can Sex Harm My Baby?
Can Intercourse or Orgasm Cause Miscarriage or Labor?
When Is Sex During Pregnancy Not Safe?
Is it Normal for My Sex Drive to Rise or Fall During Pregnancy?
When Should I Call the Doctor?

It's normal for expectant parents to wonder if having sex while pregnant is safe and if they need to take extra precautions. The good news is that for most expectant parents, sex during pregnancy is perfectly safe and can even be beneficial.

Pregnancy is an exciting time in any parent's life. While you're preparing for many life changes that come with a new baby, you may wonder how much your sex life needs to change when you're pregnant. It's normal for expectant parents to wonder if having sex while pregnant is safe and if they need to take extra precautions. The good news is that for most expectant parents, sex during pregnancy is perfectly safe and can even be beneficial. Pregnancy sex only needs to be avoided if you have specific pregnancy complications or have been advised not to have sex by your healthcare provider.

Your baby is well-protected by your body when you're pregnant. Inside the amniotic sac, your baby is cushioned by amniotic fluid as well as being supported by the strong muscles of the uterus. During a low-risk pregnancy that's progressing normally, sexual activity is safe during the entire pregnancy. Sexual intercourse, penetration with fingers, and sex toys are all generally safe during pregnancy.

Oral sex during pregnancy is safe; however, your partner should never blow air into your vagina while performing oral sex while pregnant. This can cause an embolism, which, while rare, can be fatal.

Ask your healthcare provider before having anal sex during pregnancy. Anal bacteria can be spread to other areas during sex and can cause dangerous infections during pregnancy. Hemorrhoids are also common during pregnancy, which can increase the risk of rectal bleeding from anal sex.

While most sex positions are safe during pregnancy, you may find that some positions are uncomfortable. Many pregnant people prefer positions that don't put weight or pressure on the front of their body, such as a side-lying position, being penetrated from behind in a hands-and-knees position, or having sex with the pregnant partner on top.

It's normal to have some spotting after pregnancy sex because of increased blood flow to the cervix. However, if bleeding is persistent or becomes heavy, contact your healthcare provider.

Sex during a low-risk pregnancy can have mental, emotional, and health benefits for expectant parents. Benefits include:

Bonding with your partner
Healthy exercise
Better moods from endorphins released during sex
Stronger orgasms from increased blood flow to the genital area during pregnancy.

Late in pregnancy, sex or orgasms can trigger mild contractions called Braxton-Hicks contractions. Unlike contractions during labor, Braxton-Hicks contractions don't dilate the cervix and generally aren't of any concern. Some medical professionals believe that these contractions help prepare the uterus for labor, and they may play a role in softening the cervix.

While sex during pregnancy is safe for most people, it isn't safe for everyone. You should talk to your doctor or midwife before having sex if:

You have had any signs of pre-term labor or have a history of pre-term labor
You experience any bleeding, cramping, or unusual discharge
Your water has broken, or you're leaking amniotic fluid
You've been diagnosed with placenta previa, a condition where the placenta covers the opening of the cervix
You're carrying multiples (twins, triplets) and are further along in your pregnancy

If you or your partner have other sexual partners or begin a relationship with a new sexual partner, you should use condoms or another barrier method during sex. Sexually transmitted infections can be more dangerous than usual during pregnancy, not only to you but to the child you're carrying.

While some people have a heightened libido during pregnancy, others find that they don't have much sexual desire or that sex is uncomfortable for them while pregnant. Nausea, physical discomfort, and worries about birth and parenting can all decrease a pregnant person's sex drive. It's completely normal to want to have more or less sex than usual or not to want to have sex at all while pregnant. It's OK to avoid having sex during pregnancy if you don't feel up to it. If you have a sexual partner with whom you're expecting a baby but aren't in the mood to have sex, consider nurturing other forms of bonding and intimacy. Cuddling while watching a movie, massaging, planning a date night or a babymoon, or participating in a hobby that you both enjoy can all be good, non-sexual options. Non-pregnant partners can also struggle with their sex drive during pregnancy. They may need time to adjust to the idea of parenthood, be worried about hurting the baby by having sex, or have other concerns. Good communication can help you and your partner address any worries you may have and decide how you'd like to approach sex during pregnancy.

Sex while pregnant can be a healthy bonding opportunity for expectant couples and a good form of exercise, but it's not a requirement. Listen to your body, and don't push yourself to participate in anything that's painful or that makes you uncomfortable. With proper precautions (like using condoms, if needed), sex can be an enjoyable activity for people with a low-risk pregnancy. If you have any doubts about whether or not sex during pregnancy is safe for you, consult your doctor or midwife for their advice.

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Medically Reviewed on 5/20/2022

SOURCES: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: "Is it safe to have sex during pregnancy?" American Pregnancy Association: "Braxton Hicks Contractions.", "Is Sex Safe During Pregnancy?", "Oral and Anal Sex During Pregnancy." KidsHealth: "Sex During Pregnancy." Mayo Clinic: Sex during pregnancy: "What's OK, what's not."

National Health Services: "Sex in pregnancy."

If you’re pregnant, you might find that your interest in sex has decreased or increased. No matter how sexual you feel, there will be changes in your sex life. Open communication will be the key to a satisfying and safe sexual relationship during pregnancy — whether this means talking about how you feel, trying different positions, or finding other ways to be intimate.

Is Sex During Pregnancy Safe?

Sex is considered safe during all stages of a low-risk pregnancy.

Talk to your doctor, nurse-midwife, or other pregnancy health care provider if you're uncertain about whether you are considered low-risk for complications such as miscarriage or pre-term labor.

Can Sex Harm My Baby?

No. Your baby is fully protected by the amniotic sac (a thin-walled bag that holds the fetus and surrounding fluid) and the strong muscles of the uterus. There's also a thick mucus plug that seals the cervix and helps guard against infection. A penis does not have contact with the fetus during sex.

Can Intercourse or Orgasm Cause Miscarriage or Labor?

In cases of normal, low-risk pregnancies, the answer is no. The contractions that you may feel during and just after orgasm are entirely different from the contractions associated with labor. However, you should check with your health care provider to make sure that your pregnancy falls into the low-risk category. And let them know if you have severe or continued cramping after sex.

When Is Sex During Pregnancy Not Safe?

Some sexual behaviors that aren't safe for any pregnant woman:

If you have oral sex, your partner should not blow air into your vagina. Blowing air can cause an air embolism (a blockage of a blood vessel by an air bubble), which, while rare, can be potentially fatal for mother and child.
You should not have unprotected sex with a partner whose sexual history is unknown to you or who may have a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, or HIV. If you become infected, the disease may be passed to your baby, with potentially dangerous results.

If complications with your pregnancy are expected or found by your health care provider, they may advise against sexual intercourse. Talk to your health care provider if you have:

a history or threat of miscarriage
a history of pre-term labor (you've previously delivered a baby before 37 weeks) or signs indicating the risk of pre-term labor (such as premature uterine contractions)
unexplained vaginal bleeding, discharge, or cramping
leakage of amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the baby)
placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta (the blood-rich structure that nourishes the baby) is down so low that it covers the cervix (the opening of the uterus)
incompetent cervix, a condition in which the cervix is weakened and dilates (opens) prematurely, raising the risk for miscarriage or premature delivery
multiple fetuses (twins, triplets, etc.)

Is it Normal for My Sex Drive to Rise or Fall During Pregnancy?

An increased interest in sex or lack of interest are both normal, as is everything in between. Many pregnant women find that things like tiredness, nausea, breast tenderness, and the increased need to pee make sex less enjoyable, especially during the first trimester. Generally, these symptoms ease during the second trimester, and some women find that their desire for sex increases. Also, the freedom from worries about birth control and a renewed closeness with their partner can make sex more fulfilling. Desire generally lowers again during the third trimester as the uterus grows even larger and the reality of what's about to happen sets in.

A partner's desire for sex is likely to increase or decrease as well. Some feel even closer to their pregnant partner and enjoy the changes in their bodies. Others may have decreased desire due to worries about the burdens of parenthood, or because of concerns about the health of both the mother and the unborn child.

Your partner might need time to get used to the idea that you’re both a sexual partner and an expectant mom. Again, good communication can be a great help in dealing with these issues.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call your health care provider if you're unsure whether sex is safe for you. Also, call if you notice any unusual symptoms after sex, such as pain, bleeding, or discharge, or if you have contractions that seem to continue after sex.