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Pregnant Sex—Go, Baby, Go

Written by Kathleen Davis

Tuesday, 12 June 2007

Some of the best sex of my life was “pregnant sex.” I didn’t know whether to chalk it up to the increased blood flow to my pelvis, the pregnancy hormones, the enhanced sensitivity all over my body or the fact that I was blissfully birth control free. All I knew was that I couldn’t wait for my husband to get home from work each day (and neither could he).

Apparently, I’m not alone. In The Pregnancy Book: Month-by-Month, Everything You Need to Know From America’s Baby Experts , authors William Sears, M.D. and Martha Sears, R.N. state that “some women become aroused more easily and climax more quickly, pleasurably, and frequently … during the middle months of pregnancy, than at any other time in their lives.”

Titillating promises also exist in the book’s “For Men” section: “Some women experience new cravings, stunning their mates with sudden and unexpected voracity. Don’t be surprised if your pregnant partner turns tiger.”

I don’t know if I would have described myself as a “tiger,” but over the months, some of my long-held inhibitions did seem to slowly melt away. They suddenly seemed trite. Why not do what feels good—and make my husband happy at the same time? (And he was happy, believe me).

Of course, there were some challenges. My increased sensitivity might have led to some multiple, mind-blowing experiences, but the line between pleasure and pain could be gossamer thin. I had to learn to communicate well with my husband. A lighter touch was often necessary.

It was also a bit of a downer as my growing belly began to limit some of our position options. The missionary position was the first to go. But the spooning position remained our favorite throughout the pregnancy.

A Babycenter.com poll revealed that 27 percent of pregnant women favored being on top. The second favorite position was doggie style (which won 26 percent of the votes). Another top choice (11 percent) was one I never even tried: Using the bed as a prop, lie on your back with your bottom and feet perched at the edge and your partner standing or kneeling in front of you.

Many pregnant women (as well as dads to be) worry about safety during pregnancy. But as long as your doctor or midwife hasn’t cautioned you to avoid or limit sexual activity due to some specific concern, it’s perfectly fine to have at it. In fact, a recent study by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists showed that intercourse after 29 weeks does not increase a woman's risk for preterm labor (again, assuming that the pregnancy is a normal one).

I have to admit that my appetite did diminish during my last month or two of pregnancy. Sex never got to be unpleasant, but a lot of my fire did burn down. (My husband’s appetite, however, definitely burned bright.) My doctor, surprisingly, encouraged me to try to keep it up. She actually said she could sometimes tell during delivery when women had “put themselves in a convent.” She said she found the vagina becomes less pliant and could be more susceptible to tearing.

Sex also came in handy at the very end when we were trying to jump-start labor the natural way. Maybe it was a mere coincidence, but my labor did start about two hours after we had a romp.

In fact, there are some studies that indicate that sex as a “home remedy” for overdue births seems to be safe and effective. A study published in the medical journal Obstetrics & Gynecology followed 200 healthy Malaysian women with uncomplicated pregnancies. The study found that the women who had intercourse late in their pregnancies were more likely to deliver naturally (usually between the 39th and 41st week) and were less likely to need to be induced after 41 weeks than those who abstained.

The results of this study make biological sense, says Dr. Charles Lockwood, chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University. Semen contains prostaglandin, a natural chemical associated with smooth muscle contractions. Late in a pregnancy, it might be just the thing to get the uterus to start contracting, he said.

Kathleen Davis
		About the author:
		Kathleen Davis is a marketing executive turned freelance writer (the idea of ever having to take a corporate job again makes her nauseous). She has been freelancing now for over a decade and writes primarily for lifestyle magazines, business journals and local rags. She also teaches the occasional writing class to continuing education students. Kathleen is married with two young children. Her husband actively encourages her to continue contributing to DailySexScoop on a regular basis (he enjoys the fringe benefits of her research).

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