Intimate During Pregnancy
The completeness of womanhood is measured by one’s capacity to bear offspring. However, another challenge is keeping the balance of being a responsible mother to the unborn child and being a loving wife as well. Normal marital relations are safe during until the last few weeks. However, if at any time sexual intercourse becomes uncomfortable, it is wiser to refrain.
The most common risk factors include a history or threat of miscarriage, a history of preterm labor or having premature contractions, unexplained vaginal discharge or cramping, having an abnormally implanted placenta that covers the cervix or is situated near the cervix, and pregnancy of multiple fetuses.
Sex does not directly harm the baby. The baby is protected by an amniotic sac and the strong muscles of the uterus. A thick mucus plug also seals the cervix and helps guard against infection. The penis does not come in contact with the fetus during sex.
It is a common question if the orgasm experienced during intercourse can cause miscarriage or contractions. In cases of low-risk pregnancies it is safe safe to engage in sex since the contractions felt during and after orgasm are entirely different from those associated with labor. During the final weeks of pregnancy it is however advised to abstain from intercourse using the dynamic stretching of the uterus and cervix will induce production of prostaglandin E2 which may soften the cervix and induce the onset of labor.
In healthy pregnant women, sexual intercourse usually does no harm before the last four weeks or so of pregnancy. By the 36th week however, 72% of women reported intercourse less than once weekly.
A collaborative study in 1993 found no association with frequent intercourse and preterm delivery. There was however a two-fold increased incidence of prematurely ruptured membranes with the male-superior position.
Practices that are not safe during pregnancy include blowing air into the vagina when engaging in oral sex since this may cause a blockage of a blood vessel by an air bubble which can be potentially fatal for both mother and child. Sex with the husband ho is a possible carrier of sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes, genital warts, Chlymydia and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) may be transmitted to the baby with fatal consequences.
The sex drive may increase or decrease during pregnancy. During the first trimester many women find the symptoms of maternal adaptations bothersome such as breast tenderness, nausea and urinary frequency. Generally these symptoms may subside during the second trimester that some women find their desire for sex to increase around this time. Sex becomes more fulfilling since there are no worries for contraception along with a renewed sense of closeness with their husband. Libido generally subsides again during the third trimester as the uterus grows even larger and the reality of childbirth sets in.
The men have different opinions too regarding intercourse during pregnancy. Some men feel closer nd bonded to their pregnant wife and enjoy the changes in their bodies. Others become too anxious and burdened with upcoming parenthood as well as health concerns of both the mother and unborn child. In these situations, the man may have trouble reconciling the woman’s identity as a sexual partner and as an expectant mother. Communication with one’s husband can be a great help in dealing with these issues.
No comments yet.