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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Health and wellbeing
    3. Living well
    4. Pregnancy and trying for a baby
    5. Your health during pregnancy

    Sex during pregnancy

    In most cases, having sex during pregnancy isn’t a threat to either you or your unborn baby, but there are some issues that need to be taken into consideration to make sure it is both safe and comfortable.

    Comfort and safety

    As the baby develops and the mother’s abdomen grows, you may have to try some different positions to make sex more comfortable.

    The baby is protected by the amniotic sac, muscle and the woman’s abdomen from the movements created during sexual intercourse, but you should still take care.

    If you experience any unusual symptoms either during or after sex, you should speak to your doctor or midwife before attempting to have sex again.

    • Your local doctor (GP)

    When sex should be avoided

    In some cases, a doctor may recommend that you don’t have sex, particularly if the placenta is lying over the neck of the womb (known as placenta praevia), or if you are at risk of bleeding.

    Other reasons include if the woman:

    • is experiencing unusual discharge from the vagina
    • has a history of miscarriage or premature labour
    • has a dilated cervix
    • is experiencing pains in her abdominal area
    • is feeling pain while urinating
    • is expecting more than one baby
    • has ever had to undergo medical treatment for vaginal or reproductory issues
    • her waters have broken

    Sex drive

    During pregnancy, it is normal for your sex drive to change and you should not worry about this, but do talk about it with your partner. Some couples find having sex during pregnancy very enjoyable, while others simply feel that they don’t want to have sex.

    Later in pregnancy, an orgasm, or even sex itself, can set of contractions (known as Braxton Hicks contractions). This is perfectly normal and there is no need for alarm.

    If it feels uncomfortable, try your relaxation techniques or just lie quietly until the contractions pass.

    Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

    A pregnant woman should not have sex with anyone whose sexual history is unknown to her, and who could be carrying STIs such as:

    • chlamydia
    • herpes
    • HIV and AIDS
    • gonorrhoea

    STIs can be passed on to both mother and baby.

    • Sexual health

    More useful links

    • Infections during pregnancy
    • Rubella and HIV
    • Sexual Health NI
    • Immunisation and vaccinations
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    Your health during pregnancy

    • Alcohol, smoking and drugs in pregnancy
    • Common complaints during pregnancy
    • Complications in pregnancy
    • Foods to avoid in pregnancy
    • Group B Streptococcus and pregnancy
    • Health during pregnancy
    • Healthy eating in pregnancy
    • Infections during pregnancy
    • Keeping active during pregnancy
    • Miscarriage, stillbirth and ectopic pregnancy
    • Rubella and HIV
    • Sex during pregnancy
    • Travelling while pregnant
    • Vaccinations in pregnancy

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