well, seeing as i am pregnant i figured i would do a section on pregnancy and sex lol....
A positive pregnancy test signals a lot of changes are on the way. First-time parents in particular may wonder about how pregnancy will affect their sexual relationship. Should sex be put on hold? It seems drastic, but then you think of all the old wives tales you've heard.
You want to know if sex will hurt the baby. If the pregnancy is normal, there is no way that can happen. In the earliest stages, that little embryo is firmly implanted in the menstrual lining of the uterus. Normal intercourse is safe and harmless. For the first three months, doctors recommend normal sex – the wild stuff might have to go on hold for a while. If you have a history of miscarriage, also called spontaneous accidental abortion, or if there is any "spotting", or bleeding, then you should abstain from sexual intercourse or orgasm for the first three months. However, this doesn't mean you cannot pleasure your partner.
After three months in a threatened pregnancy, you can have subdued sex until the last three months. And then, no sex, because an orgasm with uterine contractions might trigger premature labour. In a normal pregnancy, sex will not harm the baby.
Some couples feel that the baby can see them having sex. No way - baby can't see a thing.
Some males feel differently about sex when their partner is pregnant. She will be the mother of his child, almost like a Madonna, and you don't have sex with a Madonna.
Many males find their pregnant partner to be very sexy. Some find they are not attracted to the changing body. Some pregnant women bloom, they love their body. But I've also known women who covered every mirror in the house because they felt big and awkward, with dark nipples, stretch marks, bulging belly button and varicose veins.
Some women find they are more interested in sex when they are pregnant. Others find sex intrusive and don't want to be touched. Do talk to your doctor about these feelings.
And couples should talk with each other about their feelings. Realize that some of these changes are temporary and that once the baby has arrived, you can work on getting back your beautiful body.
There is a great new book out - THE MOTHER'S GUIDE TO SEX by Anne Semans and Cathy Winks, published by Three Rivers Press. Give it to a new mother at a baby shower.
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.
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.
