Lets Talk about Sex BABY
I get all kinds of questions from expecting parents, especially first timers. Most recently was a conversation on having sex during pregnancy and I realized that there a few myths that needed to be busted.
**Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and you should always ask your healthcare provider if you are unsure if sex during pregnancy is advisable.
Will My partners penis poke my baby in the head?
During pregnancy, the baby is in a bag of water that is the placenta, and around the placenta is the uterus. The uterus is a muscle and a strong one at that. Then there is the cervix, which before and during pregnancy should be closed, thick and ridged. Even more, during pregnancy, a mucous plug grows in the cervical canal and adds another layer of protection. As long as your healthcare provider has suggested you not have sex, you are good to go. There is a lot more protection between baby and partner than you think!
Is sex going to put me into labor?
Unless you are at the very end of your pregnancy, sex should not put you into labor. However, if you are trying to induce labor, this could be just the ticket to get things moving. I remember being at the end of my pregnancies I was willing to do anything to get baby out. My midwives would say to me; “babies like to come out the same way they got in.” You see, semen has prostaglandins that are known to soften the cervix and cause dilation.
Why does sex make me have contractions?
When a person has an orgasm, the hormone oxytocin (also known as the love hormone) is released from the brain. This is the same hormone that brings on contractions during labor. So, when you are feelin’ the love, your brain tells your uterus to contract. Don’t worry though, if baby isn’t ready to be born yet, they most likely won't yet. This is just your body’s way of preparing for the real thing!
Is it normal to want to do it all the time/not at all?
Yes and Yes! At the end of the first trimester/ beginning to the second, hormones increase lubrication and blood flow to the vulva and clitoris and heighten sex drive. So hop on the good foot and do that bad thing!
Not really feeling it? That's ok too. hCG levels in early pregnancy can be the culprit of nausea, fatigue, sore breasts, digestive issues and stress. These symptoms should hopefully get better further into pregnancy.
