Sex during pregnancy: Safety, best positions & tips

Your libido might even change throughout the length of your pregnancy. For example, you might want to have sex during the first trimester, but as you near the end of the pregnancy, your interest might waver or vice versa. It's completely normal to experience all these fluctuations.

Whether or not you engage in sexual activities during pregnancy is completely up to you, but know that sex during pregnancy is safe in most cases. If you do choose to have sex, let's talk about some of the benefits and best pregnancy sex positions.

Is it safe to have sex while pregnant?

It's completely normal and safe to have sex during a low-risk pregnancy [1, 2]. The strong muscles of the uterus and the amniotic fluid are there to protect the fetus from any harm [3]. So, don't worry –  the penis won’t bump against the baby's head during intercourse.

Can sex during pregnancy cause a miscarriage?

While it's a distressing topic, it's important to address pregnancy loss as there are many myths surrounding miscarriage. Having sex during pregnancy when you've been told it's safe to do so will not put you at risk of miscarriage. There are many different reasons why a miscarriage might happen: chromosome problems, long-term health conditions like diabetes, and lifestyle factors like smoking and drinking can also increase the chances of pregnancy loss [4].

An early pregnancy loss isn't influenced by things like having sex during pregnancy, exercise, and the stress we experience in our day-to-day lives. Following your doctor’s advice and adhering to pregnancy guidelines is important for the health of you and your baby, but in nearly all cases pregnancy loss is not caused by any one thing that we do, but rather due to abnormalities with the fetus or underlying health conditions. Feelings of guilt and blame are very normal when it comes to miscarriage, and while there is no right or wrong way to feel, it’s important to know that it’s extremely unlikely that your actions led to the pregnancy ending [4].

How pregnancy affects your sex drive 

There are so many factors that might influence our libidos in our everyday lives. During pregnancy, there are even more things that might affect our desire to have sex, and you might experience significant fluctuations. All that is due to hormones and physiological changes happening in our bodies [5].

Generally, it’s normal to experience a dip in your sexual desire at the start of the pregnancy due to morning sickness and other early pregnancy signs. However, sexual desire tends to pick back up in the second term when those symptoms are likely to lessen or stop altogether. Some couples might experience a decline in sex drive once again in the third term due to other physical discomforts and parents' fear of harming the baby [5, 6]. However, as previously mentioned, having sex in the third trimester is generally safe if you want to do it.

To navigate an ever-changing sexual desire during pregnancy, try to foster a non-judgmental and open space with your partner so you can communicate about how you feel and what feels good.

Benefits of sex during pregnancy

While sex during pregnancy, especially for first-time parents, can be daunting, there are many benefits to continuing having sex while you are pregnant:

• Feel closer to your partner: For many couples, sex is a way to connect and feel more intimate. Sex during pregnancy is something novel and very personal for you and your partner, which might help you feel even closer to each other [7].
• Get a boost of the feel-good hormone: During an orgasm, the feel-good hormone oxytocin is released [8]. Oxytocin helps increase your pain tolerance [9], which might help ease pregnancy-related aches. Also, oxytocin is known as the happy hormone because it can boost your mood and ease anxiety [10].

Remember – sex during pregnancy doesn't have to be limited to penetrative intercourse. Due to physical discomfort and pregnancy-related fears, some couples choose to engage in non-penetrative sexual activities [6]. There are many different types of sex: mutual masturbation, oral sex, or using sex toys with a partner can bring just as much pleasure and offer the same benefits.

Best sex positions during pregnancy

While it's safe to have sex during pregnancy, due to changes you might experience in your body, sex might become less comfortable. It might take some experimentation to find new sex positions that feel good [11]. Here are our recommendations for the six best sex positions during pregnancy:

Spooning

Lay down on your sides and get comfortable. The pregnant partner might lean backward to be closer to the non-pregnant partner's chest for shallower penetration or lean forward for a deeper penetration angle. You might add a pillow under your head, belly, or between your knees to add more comfort. Use your hands or a sex toy to stimulate the clitoris and enhance pleasure.

Cowgirl

The non-pregnant partner lies on their back while the pregnant partner gets on top, either kneeling or squatting over the other partner. The pregnant partner has full control here over the depth, speed, and rhythm. Plus, in this position, you have easy access to the clitoris.

Lean forward and brace your palms against your partner's chest for support if that feels comfortable. Alternatively, the pregnant partner might turn around so their back is facing the bottom partner and hold onto their legs for support. (This is known as reverse cowgirl.)

Doggy

The pregnant partner gets comfortable on all fours. If needed, add pillows and blankets under your knees, belly, and wrists for added comfort and support. The non-pregnant partner stands behind the pregnant partner and penetrates from behind. In this position, both partners can access the clitoris to add extra stimulation and enhance pleasure.

Standing

The pregnant partner finds a comfortable position standing upright. They may lean against a wall or hold onto the back of the chair for support if needed. The non-pregnant partner stands behind and penetrates from that angle. They might hold their partner's belly if needed, and it feels comfortable. 

The pregnant partner is in control here over how deep they want their partner to go. They can choose to lean forward and arch their back for a deeper penetration angle or stand upright for a shallower angle. This position gives easy access to the clitoris, too.

Chairman

The non-pregnant partner sits on the edge of the bed or on a chair while the pregnant partner sits in their lap, with their back facing the bottom partner. Move up and down or in grinding motion – whatever feels best. Here, the pregnant partner has full control over the depth, speed, and rhythm. Both partners can access the clitoris freely for added sensation.

Queen's Oral

The pregnant partner sits on the edge of a comfortable surface (like a bed or a sofa) with their legs wide. If needed, they can lean backward a bit and place pillows behind them for support. The non-pregnant partner then kneels, sits, or lays between the pregnant partner's legs and stimulates them orally.

Are condoms needed?

If you or your partner have STIs (sexually transmitted infections), you want to use condoms or dental dams during sex while pregnant to avoid potential health issues. It's also a good idea to use a barrier method if you or your partner have sex with other people [1].

Also, if you have vaginal and anal penetrative sex during the same session, it's a good idea to either use condoms as you switch from anal to vaginal sex to avoid bacteria transfer from the anus to the vagina. The same goes for using sex toys – if you use them interchangeably between vaginal and anal penetration, either wash the toys before switching or use condoms.

Oral and anal sex

Both oral and anal sex are generally safe during pregnancy if it's comfortable for both partners. One thing to keep in mind about oral sex is that the giving partner needs to be careful not to blow air into the vagina during oral stimulation. It might cause an air embolism, which can block a vein or artery and increase the pregnant partner's risk of a heart attack and stroke. Also, it might cause air bubbles to form in the placenta, which can be potentially dangerous to the fetus [12].

Can sex trigger labor?

It’s a common belief that having sex can induce labor, but the research on this topic is inconclusive. The feel-good hormone oxytocin that is released during orgasm or breast stimulation causes uterine contractions, and this hormone is sometimes used to induce labor at hospitals and is administered through an IV in the arm [13]. Despite that, researchers have found no correlation between sexual intercourse and labor [14]. 

Sex positions to help induce labor

As we mentioned earlier, there is no evidence that having sex can help induce labor. While it might not help induce labor, the benefits of having sex while pregnant are still there. So, if your doctor has no concerns about your pregnancy, and you feel physically well enough to have sex, there is no harm in engaging in sexual activities even at the end of your pregnancy. 

If you choose to have intercourse, any sex position we mentioned earlier works. The most important thing is to find a sex position that works the best for you and your partner–focus on comfort, pleasure, and connection. 

When to avoid sex

While sex during pregnancy is generally safe, you may want to avoid engaging in sexual activities if [1]:

• You experience heavy bleeding
• Your waters have broken
• You experience problems with the entrance to the womb (the cervix)
• You have a history of preterm labor

When to speak to a doctor

While it's normal to experience some light cramping or spotting after sex during pregnancy, if you notice heavy bleeding or experience persistent cramping, don't hesitate to contact your OBGYN [3].

Plan and follow your pregnancy with Natural Cycles

Whether you're just exploring the possibility of pregnancy or are looking for tools and resources to support you on your pregnancy journey, Natural Cycles is here to help. You can switch between NC° Plan Pregnancy, NC° Follow Pregnancy, and NC° Postpartum modes with ease to ensure you're getting the right guidance and support throughout your fertility journey. Find out if Natural Cycles can support your pregnancy journey today.