Guest Author - Nicolette Heaton-Harris
Has your libido increased? Stayed the same? Or vanished off the face of the earth?
If it’s increased, then you and your partner may be thinking that pregnancy was the best thing to happen to you! And a good sex life is meant to be beneficial in many ways, especially to your health.
If it’s stayed the same, then perhaps you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. Perhaps even getting a little fed up with reading all these articles everywhere about how pregnant women can sometimes be at it like rabbits.
But if it’s decreased, then you may be worried about the problems this could be causing. Just think how a partner may feel every time you turn them down. And what about you? Do you really need the guilt of that? It’s the last thing you need, especially if you’re feeling rough.
Of course, if you do manage to achieve intercourse, your partner could be worried about harming the baby, and yes, there are still some men about who honestly believe that the baby can see what is happening inside there!
Let your body guide you. Pregnancy really is a time to be in tune with your body and if something hurts or doesn’t feel right then stop immediately. As you get larger, there may be occasions when you’ll have to try out different positions because of the size of your abdomen, but rather than view this as a problem, or a reason to stop, view it as an opportunity to have a little fun.
Though what if you’re worried? What if you’ve had previous miscarriages? Well, obviously it might be wise to abstain for a while, possibly for the first three months whilst the pregnancy establishes itself, or even longer, if your medical practitioner recommends it.
Throughout your pregnancy, you will have ample opportunity to ask your carers any questions you may have about sex. Now don’t be embarrassed to do this. It’s the reason you’re there and they really have heard everything before.
Towards the end of pregnancy, sex can even be advised, almost encouraged, especially if you want to bring on labour. Sperm contains prostaglandin that is known to help ripen the cervix. Never mind what a good orgasm can do! I can’t think of a more pleasurable way of jump-starting contractions!
Yet, because of the prostaglandin, sex can be advised against, especially if you’re a high-risk pregnancy. Abstain, if this is the case, but always check with your medical team if you’re not sure.
And a few last points to remember. Because of the increased blood supply to your pelvic region, you may orgasm quicker and your breasts may leak colostrum. Many men enjoy this, delight in it, even, but if it makes you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed then keep your bra on.
