Sexuality and pregnancy
For the couple, pregnancy is a time when love is particularly important. Can we continue to have normal sexuality? Is it dangerous for the child? Should we take certain precautions? Answers.
Pregnancy is not without influence on the couple's sex life, which remains necessary for the balance of the household and the morale of the mother-to-be. Because sexual intercourse maintained throughout the pregnancy is of essential importance: it will maintain or even strengthen the couple's bonds, reassure the mother of her ability to remain desirable and prepare the couple's life after the birth of the child. But the quality of intercourse during pregnancy depends a lot on that before conception.
The importance of dialogue
Every woman is different. Some will see their desire increase tenfold, even speaking of "sexual hunger". In others, on the contrary, desire will recede or even disappear.
In this case, a golden rule: do not feel guilty and talk about it with the future father to defuse the situation, explain to him that the lack of desire is not linked to his partner but to changes in his body. And do not hesitate to seek advice from a professional, psychologist and/or sexologist, in case of difficulties.
Physiological upheavals
Pregnancy will change the nature of relationships and desire due to physiological and psychological changes in the mother-to-be, but also in the father, who may be disturbed by the physical changes in his partner and by the child's "kicks" that can destabilize him.
However, even without penetration, it is important to maintain a form of sexuality based on caresses, tenderness, gentleness and complicity.
The different quarters
During pregnancy, desire will experience ups and downs.
During the first trimester, even if the body has not yet changed, desire often decreases due to hormonal changes, not to mention the unpleasantness of pregnancy (fatigue, nausea, vomiting, painful breasts, irritability, etc.).
In the second trimester, desire stabilizes, or even increases. In the third trimester, however, it decreases and the couple must also adopt new positions (on the side) in order to adapt to changes in the volume of the mother's belly and to certain discomforts of pregnancy (gastroesophageal reflux, fatigue, breast pain or discharge, muscle tension, lower back pain, etc.). As for intimate sensations, some women will reach orgasm more easily, others less so.
The risks
In the absence of a medical contraindication (contractions, bleeding, repeated miscarriages during the first trimester, very high risk of premature birth, etc.), having sexual relations during pregnancy is not dangerous for the child! Sexual relations are permitted until delivery. And there is no risk of injuring the child or causing him pain, since he is protected by the amniotic fluid which will act as an... airbag! As for sperm, it is not "toxic" for the child.
Making love, even frequently, does not increase the risk of premature birth. On the other hand, during the last month of pregnancy, sexual intercourse can promote infections – the vaginal mucosa being more fragile – or bring forward the date of delivery due to substances present in sperm (prostaglandins), which act on the muscle fibers of the uterus by triggering contractions .
After childbirth
As during pregnancy, and even more so during breastfeeding, the couple must find a new sexual harmony.
After giving birth, at least 3 to 4 weeks are necessary to regain physical and mental fitness and to have a regression of genital edema and sufficient healing (at least two weeks) in the case of an episiotomy (surgical incision of the perineum).
Perineal rehabilitation also helps to regain sensations during sexual intercourse with sufficient muscular control. During the first intercourse, artificial lubrication may be necessary (gel) due to vaginal dryness linked to estrogen deficiency.
Good to know: in the absence of breastfeeding, a new pregnancy remains possible before the return of menstruation.
