When To Avoid Sex

When it’s not ok to have sex during pregnancy

In most cases there is nothing wrong with having sex during pregnancy, however, is you do suffer from some pregnancy complications, then there should not be any risk, or reason why your sex life cannot thrive during the next nine months. Your baby is extremely well protected by the amniotic fluid your uterus and a layer of muscles. Your cervix is also protecting your baby from infections with a mucus plug, even though this is not impenetrable. The following circumstances may be of concern enough to your health care provider to ask you to alter your sex life, or perhaps to even completely abstain:

• Placenta previa
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding or discharge
• Abdominal cramping
• Cervical insufficiency
• A dilated cervix
• Ruptured membranes i.e. your water has broken
• You or your partner has an outbreak of genital herpes or other STD’s. You may also be asked to intercourse and other genital contact for the entire third trimester if your partner has a history of genital herpes, even if you do not

Other situations which may result in your health care provider asked you to abstain from sex during your pregnancy may also include a history of spontaneous preterm birth in a previous pregnancy. It is important that you discuss any concerns which you may have with sex during your pregnancy with both your partner and your health care provider. It also goes without saying that should you notice, or experience any pain or discharge during or after intercourse that you should let your health care provider know.