Is it safe to continue having sex during pregnancy?

The majority of couples can still have sexual intercourse during their pregnancy. Your baby is surrounded and cushioned by amniotic fluid, and protected by your uterus and a layer of muscles. And the mucus plug inside your cervix helps guard against infection. Sex during pregnancy can be more enjoyable, even if your are doing it less. There is an increase in vaginal lubrication, engorgment of the genital area helps some people become orgasmic for the first time or multi-orgasmic, the lack of birth control, or if you have been trying for awhile, a return to sex as pleasure as opposed to procreational, and other reasons. On the other hand there are reasons why sex might not be as pleasurable: fear of hurting the baby, nausea, fatigue, awkwardness, etc. While women may feel large and uncomfortable, men generally find the pregnant body very erotic and desirable. It is important that you and your partner discuss the feelings you each have abouut sex. Even if sex is not an option, there are many other way of fullfilling the intimate desieres. More cuddling, romantic dinners, kissing, mutual masturbation and other intimate likings are all possibilities.

Third Trimester Sex:
It is is generally safe to engage in sexual intercourse during the third trimester. It is not safe if you’re bleeding or have a placenta that’s in front of the baby’s head–placenta previa. With placenta previa, if the penis comes in contact with the cervix or you have contractions as a result of orgasm, it can traumatize the placenta and cause significant enough bleeding that you lose the pregnancy. Also you shouldn’t have sex if your membranes are ruptured (water breaks) because then the baby is no longer protected against any possible infection. It’s also risky to have sex if it’s early in your third trimester and you’re having premature labor or you have a short cervix, because an orgasm can stimulate contractions. But if you’re having a healthy normal pregnancy there’s no risk, though as you get larger, it may be uncomfortable, requiring you to be creative about your position.

Anal Sex:
Anal sex during pregnancy is usually safe as well. However, if you have hemorrhoids, remember that they tend to become larger during pregnancy. And if your hemorrhoids are bleeding and you have anal sex, you can lose a considerable amount of blood, which can endanger you and your baby. You should never go from anal to vaginal sex without cleaning up first and changing condoms if you’re using one — otherwise you put yourself at risk for bacterial vaginitis, and there’s some concern that this infection can cause preterm labor or make your water break early. Also, unless you’re in a monogamous relationship and know that you and your partner are HIV-negative, you should use a condom, because HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are transmitted through broken skin.

Oral Sex:
Licking the vagina is fine, but it’s not safe to blow into the genital area. Forcing or blowing air into the vaginal and urethral areas is very dangerous. Theoretically, if your partner blew hard enough, it could cause an embolism (bubble of air) to develop in a blood vessel in that area, and that could be lethal for you or the baby. Giving oral sex is also okay as long as you are comfortable. There’s no danger to the baby from swallowing semen. As long as you’re in a monogamous relationship and know that your partner is free of STDs, there’s no risk. If your partner is HIV-positive, it’s not safe because the virus is present in semen, and you and your baby could become infected if you swallow it.

Vibrators And Dildos:
It’s generally safe to use a dildo during pregnancy. You do want to be extra careful not to penetrate too forcefully since plastic is more rigid than flesh. If you have placenta previa, using a sex toy (or, for that matter, having intercourse) could traumatize the placenta and cause heavy bleeding that could jeopardize your pregnancy. If you’re at risk for premature labor, having an orgasm could cause contractions. And if your water has broken, there’s a risk of infection to the baby. In any case, make sure the dildo is clean, and don’t share it without cleaning it. If you’re having a healthy pregnancy, it’s safe to use a vibrator. But if you’re at risk for preterm labor, it can be risky to have an orgasm since it can stimulate contractions.

Lubricants:
Although very safe, you may find that you dont need an additional lubricanat during pregnacy. Your cervix is plugged with mucus during pregnancy so there’s no danger of the lubricant getting up to the baby. Just make sure it’s water-based if you’re using condoms since petroleum-based products will put holes in them.

When Not To Have Sex:

If you are experiencing preterm labor
If you have placenta previa
When your water breaks
Unexplained vaginal bleeding
Abdominal cramping
Cervical insufficiency
A dilated cervix
Outbreak of genital herpes
STD’s

http://www.i-am-pregnant.com/encyclopedia/Pregnancy/Whats-Safe-and-Unsafe/Sex

When I first got online to network with other mom’s who were pregnant like me, I was bombarded by a sea of acronyms and slang that is like another language. A language that is the world of family planning, pregnancy and familial lives on message boards and social networks. Here is a brief introduction to them and their meanings, in no particular order.

TTC – Trying to Conceive
PG – Pregnant
AF – Aunt Flo (Period)
DH- Dear Husband
DS- Dear Son
DD – Dear Daughter
OPK – Ovulation Predictor Kit
POAS – Pee on a stick
EDD – Estimated Due Date
VBAC – Vaginal Birth after Caesarian
DDC – Due Date Club
L&D – Labor and Delivery
2WW – 2 week wait
CD – Cycle Day
CM – Cervical Mucus
BD – Baby Dancing
BBT – Body Basal Thermometer
LMP – Last Menstrual Period
HPT – Home Pregnancy Test
BFP – Big Fat Positive
BFN – Big Fat Negative
O – Ovulation
MS – Morning Sickness
BTDT – Been There Done That
MC – Miscarriage

As soon as I found out I was PG, I asked my mom whether she would want to know right away or later (she knew we were trying). She said, “Right away, of course!” Later, after much ecstatic screaming, she asked “Why would you think I would want you to wait?” I said I didn’t know, but seemed like most did wait until it was more of a sure thing in case of a miss. Her response? “I know, and I’ve always thought that was just stupidity.” She encouraged me to call all my relatives, some of whom have having a hard time, and “give them some joy juice.” We had a long talk about it then and I agree. JOY IS NOW! Whatever happens down the road, joy is here, real, NOW in the present moment! There is nothing like sharing this joy. If, God forbid, something terrible happens, your family will grieve with you, and support you. Meanwhile, all that grief can never erase the joy of the moment from your life – it continues to be real. However, if you delay and something happens, you will never have shared that amazing moment and there is nothing left to share but the surprise of tragedy and sorrow, or alternatively, somehow deal with it on your own. How tragic! Of course, every person has their own feelings and needs to do what’s is right for them. I for one, am glad my mom encouraged me to share. Don’t delay joy!