Sex is a part of human life. In some cultures, influenced or not by religious beliefs, it is an activity whose sole purpose is procreation. However, this view does not represent the reality of most societies, where sex still has the purpose of procreation, but mainly means pleasure.
In Brazil, according to the Ministry of Health, the average age of a person’s first sexual intercourse is 15 years old. That is, sex is becoming part of our routine earlier and earlier.
And, with the breaking of taboos, greater access to information, the invention of enriching gadgets, and even medications that help with sexual performance, the experience is getting better and better.
No one wants to be left out and, by taking the proper preventive care, it is an activity that can and should be practiced consensually at all stages of life.
When it comes to women’s health, however, a frequent question that arises is about sex during pregnancy. Are there restrictions? Can it hurt the baby? After all, what do we need to know about this? In this article we will explore the following topics:
Benefits of sex
Sexual activity is proven to be beneficial for the body. Besides providing more energy, reducing stress and increasing mood and self-esteem, sex also brings other benefits:
- Releases endorphin and serotonin – These are the hormones responsible for pleasure and the body’s well-being, and this is why the sensation that sex provides is so enjoyable. These substances also increase libido and sexual desire, which makes the experience even more attractive and interesting.
- Reduces anxiety and improves sleep – In addition to releasing substances that provide pleasure and help reduce anxiety, sex (especially orgasm) helps the body to relax. Sleeping well gets easier afterward!
- Improves blood circulation – During sexual activity, a substance called nitric oxide is released. It is responsible for vasodilation and helps improve blood circulation throughout the body, including the genital areas, which, when well-lubricated, make sex even more pleasurable.
Having sex regularly brings several health benefits - Improves cardiovascular health – Sex is considered a physical activity and it also burns calories (about 85 every half hour), in addition to temporarily increasing cardiac workload and blood pressure. Having sex regularly also protects the heart.
- Makes skin and hair more beautiful – It’s not just an impression. Sexual activity actually increases estrogen, testosterone, and other hormones responsible for giving shine and texture to skin and hair!
- Relieves pain – During sex and especially with orgasm, the body releases endorphin—a substance with anesthetic effects which also produces pleasure. Thus, the body’s muscles relax, reducing sensitivity to pain. Even the effects of PMS are relieved when you have sex regularly.
Myths about sex during pregnancy
If sex is so good and brings so many benefits to the body and health, it shouldn’t be left aside at any moment of life. But what about during pregnancy? What should we do? Give up this practice for 40 weeks? Only have sex while the belly is still small? Let your partner handle things alone? None of that. Sex is not a disease, and there is no reason to quit such a pleasurable activity during pregnancy.
Let’s look at some myths about sex during pregnancy:
- Sex during pregnancy is harmful
It isn’t. On the contrary, it is very beneficial. Even while pregnant, women continue to release endorphins during sex, which give both her and the baby a feeling of relaxation and comfort.A piece of good news for those who have more difficulty reaching orgasm is that during pregnancy, vaginal lubrication increases, as does the volume of blood flowing to the area, which makes the body more sensitive and, consequently, more likely to orgasm. Isn’t that wonderful?
In general, sex does no harm whatsoever to the baby. If there was some complication for the fetus or the mother after sexual activity, it is because there was already some pre-existing factor that was ignored.
- During sex, the penis can hurt the baby
This idea can be debunked with some anatomical and biological explanations. It is common for couples to think that, during sex, the penis can touch the baby and hurt it. However, no matter how large the genital organ in question, this is not possible. The cervix is made up of a very thick tissue (up to 5 cm thick). Furthermore, the fetus is surrounded by amniotic fluid, which protects it from any external contact. What should be considered is the use of objects like vibrators, which, if not properly cleaned, can bring bacteria into the vaginal canal. - Sex can induce labor
This myth lingers because semen contains a substance that really does cause the cervix to dilate; however, there is no scientific evidence that this actually induces labor. Logically, if the woman’s body is already close to starting labor, the oxytocin released through orgasm may speed up the process.
Precautions and contraindications
It is true that sexual activity does not need to be stopped during pregnancy. However, some precautions should be taken during this stage, as women are indeed in a sensitive state and there are some contraindications:
- Not all sexual positions are recommended
To make sexual activity comfortable and safe, it is important to think about positions where the belly is well supported and there is no pressure on the abdomen. It is important for the couple to reach an agreement and use their creativity. Using pillows, for example, can help a lot.
Enjoying the moment to explore new possibilities or to invest in sexual activities without penetration, such as oral sex, are also good options.
- Using condoms remains essential
Condoms do not only serve to avoid a pregnancy. Because they are already pregnant, women may feel tempted to forgo this safety. However, especially for women who do not have a single partner, condoms remain the best option for preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as herpes and syphilis. Extra care must be taken, as these infections can harm the baby, even causing miscarriage.
Although very rare, there is also the risk of getting pregnant again while already pregnant. This phenomenon, known as superfetation, results in fraternal twins but at different gestational ages. Protecting yourself continues to be the best option!
- Sex after childbirth is not recommended
Childbirth, whether vaginal or cesarean, is an extremely delicate time for a woman’s body. After delivering the baby, the uterus and all organs involved in pregnancy take time to return to their “normal” state. Therefore, it needs to rest.
It is recommended that women go about 30 to 40 days without engaging in penetrative sexual activity. This is because, besides being painful during this period, penetration increases the risk of uterine infection.
At times like this, it is worth remembering that there are other practices that can be as pleasurable as penetration and don’t carry risks. It may be the time to explore other erogenous zones while the rest of the body recovers.
It is important to emphasize that, at any period of life, whether pregnant or not, sex must be consensual. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to hear reports of women who have suffered sexual violence because their partners couldn’t wait or respect the recovery period, or the woman’s wishes.
Contraindications
Every pregnancy must be closely monitored by doctors. They are responsible for analyzing each case and warning about possible contraindications. Some cases, however, already indicate that sex during pregnancy should be suspended, as it may worsen the situation:
- If there is already a threat of miscarriage or some serious infection
- If there is bleeding or the pregnant woman already has a case of preeclampsia
- If the water has broken or there is a risk of premature labor
Without a doubt, it is worth waiting and controlling the desire a bit to ensure the safety of the mother and baby.
Pregnancy is one of the best times in a woman’s and a couple’s life. The anticipation of a new child, the preparation, the monitoring of development inside the body. Sex, in turn, continues to be one of the activities that provide the most pleasure to human beings. There is no reason why these two experiences cannot be lived together. Instead of being a problem, having a “baby bump” during sex can open doors to new discoveries, experiences, and sensations. When done with the necessary care and medical approval, sex during pregnancy is not only allowed—it’s recommended!
