Sex During Pregnancy

If you're pregnant or even planning a pregnancy, you've probably found an abundance of information about sex before pregnancy (that is, having sex in order to conceive) and sex after childbirth (general consensus: expect a less active sex life when there's a newborn in the house-darn).

But there's less talk about the topic of sex during pregnancy, perhaps because of our culture's tendency to dissociate expectant mothers from sexuality. Like many parents-to-be, you may have questions about the safety of sex, when, how often and what's normal for most couples.

Well, what's normal tends to vary widely, but you can count on the fact that there will be changes in your sex life. Some of these changes may be uncomfortable, but we are going to show you how to make them interesting, fun, enjoyable and memorable! Open communication will be the key to a satisfying and safe sexual relationship during pregnancy. The more you talk openly and honestly about what you are feeling and your mutual expectations, the better your relationship will become. The bottom line for nearly everyone is...

Sex During Pregnancy Is GREAT!

There are HUGE advantages to having sex during pregnancy including:

• Decreasing pressure and bloating during pregnancy
• Playful changes in sexual positions stimulating creativity
• Creating new positions out of necessity for increased variety
• Unique turn-on's for well balanced fathers
• Natural stimulation to induce childbirth if you are overdue.

If you're having a normal pregnancy, sex is considered safe during all stages of the pregnancy. So what's a "normal pregnancy"? It's one that's considered low-risk for complications such as miscarriage or pre-term labor. Talk to your doctor, nurse-midwife, or other pregnancy health care provider if you're uncertain about whether you fall into this category. (The next section of this article may help, too.)

Of course, just because sex is safe during pregnancy doesn't mean you'll necessarily want to have it! Many expectant mothers find that their desire for sex fluctuates during certain stages in the pregnancy. Also, many women find that sex becomes uncomfortable as their bodies get larger.

You and your partner need to keep the lines of communication open regarding your sexual relationship. Talk about other ways to satisfy your need for intimacy, such as kissing, caressing, and holding each other. You also may need to experiment with other positions for sex to find those that are the most comfortable. My guidebook on this matter gives you step-by-step instructions to:

• Eliminate any fears about hurting the baby
• How to talk to a nervous father
• Create unique "preggo" positions for pain-free, enjoyable sex
• "Jedi Mind Tricks" to convince a father that you are MORE beautiful
• Self-confidence affirmations to reassure mother's of their sex appeal and beauty
• Games to play to make sex during pregnancy memorable and FUN!

Many women find that they lose their desire and motivation for sex late in the pregnancy - not only because of their size but also because they're preoccupied with the impending delivery and the excitement of becoming a new parent. This book can help you overcome these feelings and actually ENJOY sex during pregnancy!

When It's Not Safe

There are two types of sexual behavior that aren't safe for any pregnant woman:

• If you engage in oral sex, your partner should not blow air into your vagina. Blowing air can cause an air embolism (a blockage of a blood vessel by an air bubble), which can be potentially fatal for mother and child.
• You should not have sex with a partner whose sexual history is unknown to you or who may have a sexually transmitted disease, such as herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, or HIV. If you become infected, the disease may be transmitted to your baby, with potentially dangerous consequences.

If your doctor, nurse-midwife, or other pregnancy health care provider anticipates or detects certain significant complications with your pregnancy, he or she is likely to advise against sexual intercourse. The most common risk factors include:

• a history or threat of miscarriage
• a history of pre-term labor (you've previously delivered a baby before 37 weeks) or signs indicating the risk of pre-term labor (such as premature uterine contractions)
• unexplained vaginal bleeding, discharge, or cramping
• leakage of amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the baby)
• placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta (the blood-rich structure that nourishes the baby) is situated down so low that it covers the cervix (the opening of the uterus)
• incompetent cervix, a condition in which the cervix is weakened and dilates (opens) prematurely, raising the risk for miscarriage or premature delivery
• multiple fetuses (you're having twins, triplets, etc.)

Can sex harm my baby?

No, not directly. Your baby is fully protected by the amniotic sac (a thin-walled bag that holds the fetus and surrounding fluid) and the strong muscles of the uterus. There's also a thick mucus plug that seals the cervix and helps guard against infection. The penis does not come into contact with the fetus during sex.

Can intercourse or orgasm cause miscarriage or contractions?

In cases of normal, low-risk pregnancies, the answer is no. The contractions that you may feel during and just after orgasm are entirely different from the contractions associated with labor. However, you should check with your health care provider to make sure that your pregnancy falls into the low-risk category. Some doctors recommend that all women stop having sex during the final weeks of pregnancy, just as a safety precaution, because semen contains a chemical that may actually stimulate contractions. Check with your health care provider to see what he or she thinks is best.

Is it normal for my sex drive to increase or decrease during pregnancy?

Actually, both of these possibilities are normal (and so is everything in between). Many pregnant women find that symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, and the increased need to urinate make sex too bothersome, especially during the first trimester. Generally, fatigue and nausea subside during the second trimester, and some women find that their desire for sex increases. Also, some women find that freedom from worries about contraception, combined with a renewed sense of closeness with their partner, makes sex more fulfilling. Desire generally subsides again during the third trimester as the uterus grows even larger and the reality of what's about to happen sets in. This guidebook gives you the tools to manage your fatigue, get the rest and nutrition you need and channel ANY anxiety into tender, intimacy with your partner.

Your partner's desire for sex is likely to increase or decrease as well. Some men feel even closer to their pregnant partner and enjoy the changes in their bodies. Others may experience decreased desire because of anxiety about the burdens of parenthood, or because of concerns about the health of both the mother and their unborn child. Let's face it, women are MUCH stronger than men, and your pregnancy and birth will make that obvious to him. It doesn't matter if he is reluctant out of fear, or suffers from a low libido because of your extra package, this guidebook will transform ANY man into the tender, caring lover and provider you need during this time of change. You will have a blueprint for:

• Creating the atmosphere for love, tenderness and patience when you need it
• Establishing ground rules and guidelines for the proper timing of sex
• "Jedi Mind Tricks" getting dad to love you EXACTLY when and where you need
• Convince the father to give you pre-natal massages whenever you need them.
• Convert a low-libido dad into a stress-relieving sex slave when YOU need it.
• Transform a dad who is "hands off" to one who can't wait to help out!

Your partner may have trouble reconciling your identity as a sexual partner with your new (and increasingly visible) identity as an expectant mother. Again, remember that communication with your partner can be a great help in dealing with these issues.

We give you all the tools, techniques and key phrases you will use to get him to feel at ease regardless if you want sex or not. You are in charge and you will learn how to use HIS needs and ego to your advantage at all times. Your marriage is very important and you do NOT want to end up being one of those "He left me after our baby was born" horror stories. See page 17 of our guide to guarantee this doesn't happen to YOU!

When to Call Your Doctor

Call your health care provider if you're unsure whether sex is safe for you. Also, call if you notice any unusual symptoms after intercourse, such as pain, bleeding, or discharge, or if you experience contractions that seem to continue after sex.

Remember, "normal" is a relative term when it comes to sex during pregnancy. You and your partner need to discuss what feels right for both of you. Your pregnancy may seem like it is lasting forever, but before you know it, it'll be over and your life will return to normal-NOT! You can only plan so much if this is your first pregnancy. If you are a "planner" or "Type A" person, you'll have everything in order. If you are a spontaneous person, you may be enjoying the "newness" of it all. Regardless of your personality, your sexual trepidations or fears will disappear once you read this concise guidebook on Sex During Pregnancy.

Order today, have GREAT sex tonight! We guarantee it.