Sex during pregnancy: what you should know
For most uncomplicated pregnancies, sex remains safe right up until delivery — here's what changes and why.
In an uncomplicated pregnancy, sex is considered safe throughout, including right up to the final weeks. The baby is well protected by the amniotic fluid, the uterus, and the mucus plug, which acts as a barrier against infection.
Sexual desire varies enormously from person to person and by trimester: first-trimester nausea and fatigue often lower it, increased pelvic blood flow in the second trimester sometimes raises it, and third-trimester physical discomfort can lower it again. All of these swings are normal.
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Some positions simply become less comfortable as the belly grows, which leads many couples to try other positions, such as side-lying or with the partner on top. Light spotting after sex, caused by increased blood flow to the cervix, is usually not a concern, but it's worth mentioning to your healthcare provider as a precaution.
Sex should be avoided, though, with placenta previa, ruptured membranes, unexplained bleeding, or risk of preterm labor — your healthcare provider will tell you if your situation calls for this. Outside of those cases, there's no evidence that sex triggers preterm labor in an otherwise healthy pregnancy.
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This information is general and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional (doctor, midwife, nurse, pharmacist). Every situation is unique: always check with them before making a decision. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services.
