It can be hard to know what’s right and wrong when it comes to pregnancy and sex, especially in the third trimester.
You begin experiencing some seriously significant body changes, and there are a lot of myths about sex and pregnancy floating around too.
We spoke to some experts to clear things up.
Do pregnant people want to have sex?
There’s an idea that women don’t really want sex during their pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester, and a lot of people assume couples who were trying to have a baby stop having sex once they’ve conceived.
Andrea Maduro, MD, medical advisor at Flo Health, tells Metro.co.uk this isn’t always true.
‘Everyone experiences pregnancy – and sex – differently,’ she says. ‘Some women may notice an increase in sexual desire due to changes in their hormones.’
In fact, during pregnancy, your body’s blood volume can increase by as much as 45%, which in turn can lead to increased blood flow to sexual organs like the vulva as well. This means that some may experience increased arousal during pregnancy.
‘However, for some there may be no change at all, or they can have a decreased libido,’ she adds. ‘One small-scale Spanish study found a greater decrease in sex drive among those experiencing a difficult pregnancy.
‘Another survey found that sexual activity often decreases during pregnancy,’ Maduro explains.
However, it’s worth noting that researchers say this could be due to the fear or lack of knowledge around sex during pregnancy.
‘At the end of the day it varies from person to person and each experience is unique in its own way. However you feel about your sex drive during pregnancy – it’s perfectly normal and natural,’ Maduro says.
How can I safely have sex in the third trimester?
If you do fancy sex during your third trimester, there are a few things to keep in mind so everyone can have fun and stay safe.
There’s a common myth that babies can be hurt by penetrative intercourse. According to another study, 25% to 50% of pregnant people are worried about potentially hurting their baby while having sex.
But sex during this time is actually perfectly normal. Maduro says its generally safe to have sex during the third trimester as long as you’re having a healthy pregnancy. ‘There’s no risk of causing harm to the fetus, as the baby is safe inside a protective sac in the uterus where sexual penetration can’t reach it,’ she confirms.
Although, there are certain complications that can occur during pregnancy, which sex should be avoided with. ‘If you have abnormality of the placenta called placenta previa, sex during pregnancy should be avoided. It’s always best to speak to your doctor to determine if pregnancy sex is safe for you,’ she says.
If you are all good to go, then all sexual positions are safe despite what some might think. Although, Maduro notes that some positions will be more comfortable or enjoyable for the pregnant person than others.
‘A growing pregnancy bump can limit mobility and make some positions less comfortable. If you find yourself experiencing discomfort, you can use a pillow to help support your body in different positions,’ she says. ‘You may want to adjust sexual positions accordingly.’
Some women can also experience symptoms like vaginal dryness during pregnancy, which is where lube (and a bit of patience and care) will come in handy.
Marudo warns that if you are using lube, it’s best to avoid any that contain parabens, as exposure may lead to pregnancy complications for you and your baby.
‘Petrochemicals like propylene glycol, benzene, and benzoic acid can also alter the vaginal microbiome, which may be important for your baby’s health,’ she explains. ‘An altered vaginal microbiome can also increase the chance of infections, which may lead to further pregnancy complications.’
She also notes there hasn’t been a lot of research conducted on how these chemicals can impact a pregnancy, but it’s still best to take precautions, and the best way to do so is by using the safest lube out there: water-based lube.
Can I use sex toys during pregnancy?
Sex toys are perfectly fine to use during pregnancy, so long as they’re body safe. It’s important to do some research into what body safe materials really are, as different companies have different ideas of what defines ‘body safe’ and not all sex toy companies are ethical.
Marudo explans that truly body safe sex toys will be phthalate free.
‘It’s best to avoid plastic toys, as they may contain phthalates, which is a group of chemicals that can disrupt hormones. It’s also best to steer clear of jelly plastic as those toys are porous and can’t be properly sterilised, which in turn can lead to vaginal infection.’
The safest toys for the body are those made of medical-grade silicone, steel, and borosilicate glass, though glass and steel might be a bit much for your sensitive cervix during pregnancy.
Can sex bring on labour during the third trimester?
Many avoid sex in the third trimester in case it brings on labour, but Maduro says its hard to say how effective sex really is for this, as we don’t have a wealth of research or data looking into the specifics. However, sex and orgasm does release oxytocin, known as the love hormone, which is proven to help trigger contractions.
Ultimately, unless your doctor has advised against sexual activity during pregnancy, whether you have sex during your third trimester or not depends on you, your partner and your personal preferences.
As long as you’re having consensual fun and there are no underlying problems, sex during the third trimester can be just as pleasurable as any other kind of sex.
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