Sexual Health During Pregnancy
What is it about pregnancy that gives one that special glow? Is it the sheer bliss of creating, sustaining, and developing a whole human while growing an adjacent organ solely for them or is it the constant glisten of sweat because everything is uncomfortable and that/this/these kid(s) has a knee jammed into her ribcage and won’t let you move without a cardio workout? The world may never know, but what we do know is that the health of mother and baby are vitally important during pregnancy; second to health is feeling empowered and confident with the sexual choices that a woman makes for herself. Every woman’s pregnancy journey is different; there are so many variants from pre-existing health concerns, complications, current lifestyle, genetics, etc.; but making healthy, informed sexual choices during pregnancy is something that every woman should consider.
Sexual Wellness
Listen to your body. During any trimester, intercourse is generally considered safe for a mother and her baby assuming a standard, healthy pregnancy. However, with the influx of hormones, increased blood flow, sore breasts, and other body changes, sex may become painful, particularly as pregnancy progresses. If something doesn’t feel right or feel good, don’t do it. I reiterate: listen.to.your body.
Discuss how you are feeling, emotionally and physically, with your partner(s). Pleasurable sex during pregnancy could now mean longer foreplay, more lubricant, gentler movements, and perhaps avoiding certain positions. Post-coitus, some spotting may occur. This is often considered normal, but if there is any heavy bleeding or if spotting continues longer than a few hours, you should contact your health provider for guidance. Develop a good partnership with your gynecologies-obstatrician; sking your doctor questions is better than self-diagnosing yourself from some pregnancy forum Q&A’s, as there are a lot of myths out there surrounding sex during pregnancy.
Remember you don’t have to answer to anyone when it comes to your sexuality. Yes, you can still be sexual and pregnant. Pregnancy increases blood flow and can actually make orgasms easier and more powerful. Your heightened senses can make sex more pleasurable through touch, smell, and the change of pace. Advocating for your own sexual satisfaction during pregnancy is just as important as any other time in your life.
STIs/STDs
Of course, women can still get a STI/STD during pregnancy and should continue barrier protection if not in a mutually committed partnership(s). Education on the subject is important for the sake of making informed decisions, but not to live in fear.
STIs/STDs during pregnancy increase the risk of birth defects such as cleft lip, heart defects, brain defects, and limb defects to name a few. STIs, like gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and genital herpes, can pass from the mother to the baby as the baby passes through the birth canal. A baby that is infected during birth is at risk for complications and death. HIV is especially life-threatening.
Checking for infection or disease before you get pregnant is critical. This rule of thumb applies to any woman, regardless of the number of sexual companions, because infection and disease can be contracted even if she has only ever had one sexual partner. Sexual infection and disease can also be contracted through kissing, sharing contaminated food, borrowing a contaminated razor or toothbrush, oral sex, drugs, and accidental exposure such as stepping on or touching an infected needle. Additionally, there is evidence that UTIs increase the risk of birth defects. In a previous article, we discussed sexual hygiene and how to reduce the chances of UTIs for sexually active women. Prone to UTIs? Consult your doctor before you get pregnant to discuss ways to reduce UTIs during pregnancy.
Preventing STIs/STDs is do-able. Before having intercourse with someone, get tested and make sure their recent tests are all good. Have proof in hand before any kind of fluids are exchanged. Condoms do very well in prevention, but they are not completely effective. If you are not in an exclusive relationship, you will want to get checked every few months. Women should expect their OB-Gyn to do regular cervical cancer screenings and pap smears. Making empowered choices is especially important if you are pregnant or are planning or not planning to become pregnant.