Have you heard that sex during pregnancy is potentially harmful for your baby?
Nothing could be further from the truth. With amniotic fluid and your cervix safely protecting your baby, your blood volume increasing by about 40%, and yourbreasts growing to about four times their usual size, we recommend that you enjoy (and explore!) your changing body over the coming months.
It’s important to remember that sex in pregnancy can be different for everyone, and change at different times throughout the pregnancy. Below, are some of our tried and true recommendations to enjoying this unique shift in sexuality during pregnancy:
1. Your Body Is Going to Change
As your body goes through significant shifts, you can expect your sex life to do the same. You will experience things like heightened sensitivity, intense orgasms, surges of hormones, and high and low dips in your sex drive. Not to mention, yourbody size (read: breasts!) will change significantly. It’s important to remain flexible, and note that these changes, while unexpected, may prove to be quite enjoyable!
2. Shift With Your Body
As your pregnancy progresses, your body is going to change more significantly, which may push you to find new ways to experience your sexuality. For instance, your partner is handling your breasts and nipples, sometimes that’s going to cause a little bit of fluid to come out. If this is something you’re not comfortable with, you may need to shift the ways you typically expect someone to excite you.
3. Expect Increased Intensity
During pregnancy, the blood flow to your genitals increases. Also, the pregnant woman produces an increase in certain hormones, like oxytocin, that can make orgasms especially intense. Looking to take advantage? Here’s a list of sexual positions to try out while pregnant.
4. Be Patient With Yourself
Both during and after pregnancy, you body may go through changes and shifts that are entirely unique to you. You may experience temporary leakage, dryness and/or highs and lows in sexual desire due to fatigue, stress and lack of time. The most important thing to remember, however, is that it is all temporary. If you’re feeling worried, read this piece proving that this too, shall pass, and you will be back to your usual self in no time!
Have questions, comments, or something to add? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below, or via Facebook and Twitter.