In the first part of this two-part series on sex during pregnancy, we read about is it normal to have libido changes or what not to do during pregnancy. In this part, we will be reading as to when sex during pregnancy may NOT be safe, can sex harm the baby, and what are the safe positions for sex during pregnancy.

What are the safe positions?

Medically, there is no sex position that can be termed to be safe completely. However, it is recommended to avoid the missionary position; the spoon position can be a good option. Women on top and side lying sex with the knees pulled up can be good sex positions.

Can sex harm the baby?

Sex during pregnancy does not harm your baby in a direct manner as the baby is completely protected by the thin-walled bag known as amniotic sac (that holds the fetus and surrounding fluid) and strong muscles of the uterus. The fact that the penis doesn’t come into any contact with the fetus means that there is no risk by sex. But this practice holds good only for low-risk categories of expectant mothers.

When sex during pregnancy may NOT be safe?

Sex during pregnancy is not recommended if you had a past history of miscarriage or if your partner has a tendency to blow air into your vagina during oral sex. It is never recommended to have sex with a person who has a history or presently suffering from sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, or HIV.

All in all, it is important for you and your partner to love each other but love is not only about sex. There are many things such as kissing, caressing, and holding each other that will do no harm

If you are planning a pregnancy or already pregnant, you have probably been reading about sex during pregnancy. Let us read if sex during pregnancy is safe or not.

Sex is considered to be safe during all stages of a normal pregnancy but it is always better to seek qualified advice of doctor, nurse-midwife, or other pregnancy health care provider before opting for the same.

Is it normal to have libido changes?

Expecting mothers tend to face libido changes (increase or decrease) though the decreased version is more common. It is, therefore, recommended that you and your partner have a word on this issue so that none of you feels unwanted or burdened with urge to have sex. This should be primarily because a mental makeup of women, during pregnancy, undergoes a dramatic change and this may be experienced by oversensitivity in terms of emotional thoughts and acts.

What not to do?

It is worth noting here that oral sex and anal sex should be avoided, at all circumstances, during pregnancy.

If the woman in question has low lying placenta, sex during pregnancy is NOT recommended at all as that can damage the fetus. It is worthwhile to note here that sex during pregnancy is not recommended during the first three months and the last few pregnancy weeks. Women who have a premature baby in the first attempt and pregnant again should restrain from masturbation as it can lead to premature delivery.

Douching during pregnancy is just not recommended. In case the amniotic fluid is found leaking or has ruptured or there is enough suspicion, sex during pregnancy is to be avoided.

In the second and last part of this series, we will be reading as to when sex during pregnancy may NOT be safe, can sex harm the baby, and what are the safe positions for sex during pregnancy.

These contingent occurrences during sex may not be very ordinary, but these can happen to you as well. So the next time you find yourself in these awkward situations, just take a count of the following points…

–Sex with the ex
Imagine earsplitting your ex’s name, or your secret lover’s pet name, just when your spouse is about to climax. Damn! It can’t get poorer than this. “I had an arranged marriage and it was a bungle that I did on my honeymoon. I yelled my ex’s name in gratification and my hubby was very bothered hearing another man’s name. accept me, we didn’t have sex for months, until I won over him that there’s nothing between me and my ex now,” shares Deepti (31), who got connubial last year.

Such an occurrence is likely to make your partner feel alienated, besides injecting a feeling of suspicion in your love life.

**tip: Though fantasies are a crucial part of a gratifying sex life, expressing fantasies in such unforeseen ways can often put end to your relationship.

“A lot of women imagine about their idol or a past lover while having sex as it turns them on. But it’s significant to remember that sex is an emotional experience too, so don’t appear to be expressively weak and let your past lover/fantasy hover in your mind space while becoming close with your present beau. This causes a conflict in your relationship. A combination of yogasan, gym and a job (PGJ) is the top way to keep away from a fertile imagination,” suggests Doctors and clinical psychologist.

–Nature’s call
This blunder is the mother of all sex bummers faced by couples. Often puzzled with a squirting orgasm, it is related to the force applied on the bladder due to sexual stimulation. A problem usually faced by women, this often leaves the male partner feeling semi pleasured. Recalls housewife Lara Petersen, “I often sense like urinating half way through the act and this creates a setback for my man, besides being unhealthy.”

**tip: Never compel yourself to reach a climax if you’re feeling like relieving yourself. “The nerves that are stirred during an erection are quite close to those of the urinal bladder and sometimes an overlapping can upshot in urinating during sex. So make sure you have attended nature’s call before you gear up for proceeding sex. In case there are any other organic evils, certain medications can assist deal with them,” elucidates Dr. Peter Kelvin, a chief sexologist.