There may be circumstances in high-risk pregnancies where your doctor advises against sexual activity to prevent contracting (like you do when you orgasm), but that’s rare, says board-certified OB-GYN Christine Sterling, M.D. Talk to your doctor if you have any known pregnancy complications. But unless you have vaginal bleeding, your water broke, you have placenta previa (when the placenta covers the opening in your cervix), or if you’re at significant risk for preterm labor, OB-GYN Shieva Ghofrany, M.D., says you’re free to explore pregnancy sex. There are actually a lot of benefits of having sex during pregnancy, including: No matter how far along you are in your pregnancy, here are 11 sex positions to try with a partner: Since this position allows for deeper penetration, make sure to communicate with your partner about your level of comfort if you’re going that route. You can also put a pillow between you two to keep them from going too deep inside you. “There are also rings that can be put on a partner’s penis, or on a sex toy that prevents it from going too deep,” says women’s health expert Wendie Trubow, M.D. Definitely explore this intimate sex position in your first and second trimester, but only during your third if you’re comfortable and not experiencing dizziness. This “riding” sex position is a great option for sex during all three trimesters of your pregnancy. Whether you straddle your partner and face them or their toes, both variations let you keep the weight off your belly, plus you can control the depth and pace of their strokes. To relieve even more strain, try this: Have your partner grab your hips or waist and hold you up as they (gently) meet you with each thrust—less effort; same pleasure. Missionary is best for sex during the first and second trimesters. Any further along, keep this in mind: “As you get closer to 20 to 24 weeks,” explains Sterling, “your uterus gets heavy enough to put pressure on the vena cava,” which is the major vein that circulates blood from your heart through your body and to the baby. Rest on your hip and forearm close to the edge of the bed (or couch, futon, counter…) with your thighs pressed together, then your partner can massage your body while they penetrate you with a penis or toy. If you can handle it, thrust your hips slightly and match your partner’s speed to share the stroke. This position is safe for any trimester, but keeping your balance may get difficult after 26 weeks. Since deep penetration can be hard to achieve with this position, your partner can grab onto your shoulders to deepen their thrust. However, you can also take advantage of this snuggly option to be gently stimulated. Although spooning sex is great for any stage, it especially lends itself to the increased size or pressure you might experience closer to your due date. Here are a few options to consider: If you’re in a giving mood, focus on their pleasure and stimulate your partner’s nipples, clitoris, scrotum, or anus with your hands or toys. For other pregnancy pains, like in your back or hip, McKenzie says to consider seeing a physical or massage therapist. And during sex, position yourself on your hands and knees or hands and forearms to relieve the pressure on your lower back. Anal sex works well for the first, second, and third trimesters because of the reduced pressure on your stomach. That said, hemorrhoids are common in pregnancy, so there’s a risk that “anal sex may be more uncomfortable and lead to significant bleeding,” explains Ghofrany. Always use lube for anal penetration, and to prevent the spread of bacteria, use condoms and don’t move any toys or body parts from your butt to vagina without cleaning up thoroughly. Here are some options she suggests: If your doctor hasn’t expressed concerns, don’t hesitate to foster intimacy with your partner through sex. Just always exercise caution. It’s particularly important to get input from your doc if you have a high-risk pregnancy or any other complications. If you have a previa, sex or orgasms (which cause the uterus to contract) may trigger bleeding, and if your water broke, you can introduce bacteria into the uterus, Ghofrani notes. In such cases, avoid sexual activity unless your doctor gives you other instructions, says Trubow. But typically, “as with any time in pregnancy,” says McKenzie, “we try to avoid lying on our back to help keep good blood flow to the placenta,” especially if you’re closer to your due date. However, she says there isn’t enough evidence to recommend against sexual intercourse during pregnancy. In fact, it’s quite the opposite: A 2001 study showed no increased risk of preterm delivery in women who had sex1 in the third trimester; instead, they might have reduced the risk. “You’ve got ~4 cm of cervix, uterus, placenta, and amniotic fluid all protecting the baby,” assures McKenzie. “Baby isn’t going to feel a thing.” To help you stay even more in tune with your body through each trimester, consider a little prenatal yoga and pregnancy stretches too.
