Sexuality during pregnancy

There are no medical reasons to avoid sex during a normal, healthy pregnancy. Still, you may have doubts about it.

As your partner's body changes, you may feel fluctuations in desire and attraction. Her emotional mood swings may make it difficult to know quite where you stand.

• During the first trimester of pregnancy, she's likely to feel nauseated and exhausted. Her breasts may be quite tender. She may not look like she's very pregnant, but these are the months when she may feel the worst.
• The middle three months of pregnancy are often the most comfortable time for a woman. Many women report feeling their highest sexual desire during pregnancy at this time. However, her physical changes are becoming more obvious now, and you may not feel as attracted to her. You may worry about hurting your baby, especially if you two have had a previous pregnancy with preterm labor, miscarriage, or other complications.
• The last trimester of pregnancy can be challenging simply because of the size of the growing baby. Finding positions for intercourse that are comfortable (and possible) can be an adventure. Your partner may feel unattractive and enormous. She may worry that an orgasm might bring on labor. She may have little energy for sex.

What you should know

• The sound and motion of intercourse can cause your baby to move around and kick. This doesn't mean that your baby is in distress.
• Your partner's cervix is tender and can bleed easily in late pregnancy. Sex or even a vaginal exam may cause light spotting. If the spotting lasts more than half a day or is bright red, your partner should call her health care provider for advice.
• Foreplay, intercourse, and orgasm can cause uterine contractions. In a normal pregnancy, this is not harmful. Women with preterm labor are among the few pregnant women who are advised to avoid intercourse, orgasm and sexual stimulation.

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First published: 10/04/2002
Last updated: 06/19/2003

Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts