With all of the changes going on in your body, you might hesitate to get busy when you're pregnant. From leaky breast to nausea, here are the most common obstacles to sex along with simple solutions that can help make your sex life more comfortable and enjoyable.
Your belly is swelling, you’re bloated and achy, and rollicking between-the-sheets playtime sounds like a far-away fantasy right about now. Yep, you’re pregnant: As your body is busy making a baby, you’re probably wondering if you’ll ever get intimate with your partner again. But don’t let common pregnancy sex problems get you down — it’s as important as ever to keep your bond strong before your bundle of joy arrives (when diaper changes and sleep schedules will create other roadblocks to carving out time for intimacy). Navigate the choppy waters until yours breaks with these tips to fix your most pressing pregnancy sex problems:
Nausea
Pregnant or not, tummy troubles make most women feel unsexy. And when morning sickness strikes, it’s no wonder sex becomes the last thing on your mind. Unlike a headache, though (which can actually improve after a quick sex session!), knocking boots just makes nausea worse. So wait until you feel less woozy, or schedule sexy time for a different time of day (like the evening if your nausea strikes in the a.m.) — and take comfort in the fact that nausea typically tapers off by the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy.
Fatigue
Growing a baby is exhausting — especially in the first and third trimesters. But conking out as soon as your head hits the pillow can squash the romance for couples who typically have sex at night. Luckily for you and your partner, there’s a simple solution: Get busy first thing in the morning (it’ll make for a much better day!). Or, draw the shades on a weekend afternoon, and get it on before the sun goes down. Bonus: Once your partner is in bed, you’ll have a human pillow for a post-sex nap.
</div> <div id='passback-wb97abda82a'></div>
A Growing Baby Bump
The elephant in the room: While it’s true that your baby belly can stand between you and some sex positions you loved before getting pregnant, there are plenty of other twists and turns that are just as intimate, like side-lying positions. Most experts recommend man on top, woman on top or rear entry.
Negative Body Image
Did you know that most men find the pregnant female form entirely arousing? (It’s true! Just ask your partner...) So tune out the self-doubt, turn down the lights, and focus on how much you’re attracted to your partner. Once you slip your clothes off, he’ll be doing the same thing — and you’ll both be glad you did!
Swelling
Pregnancy can increase the blood flow to your pelvic area — which can feel oh-so-awesome or a bit annoying, depending on how it affects you. For some mothers-to-be, this pregnancy symptom increases sensitivity and leads to stronger and easier orgasms. But it makes others feel less satisfied after an orgasm, like a sneeze that got away. It’s also touch-and-go for your partner: Your swelling leads to a snugger fit, which could be a pregnancy pro for your partner. Alternatively, it could cause him to lose his erection. (So don’t take it personally!)
Leaky Breasts During Foreplay
While this can be a bit messy (and slightly awkward, if you don’t expect it), some women begin to produce pre-milk called colostrum in response to stimulation, especially during the third trimester. So when second base gets slippery, it’s nothing to worry about — unless it makes you uncomfortable. The fix: Ask your partner to focus on other parts of your body, like your favorite spot below the belly (yes, that one...).
Tender Breasts
While engorged early-pregnancy breasts will likely pique the interest of your partner, many women feel painful tenderness when their extra-large ladies are touched. Luckily (for both of you!), the sensitivity tends to subside by month four. So tell your partner to look without touching — at least until you’re in the second trimester.
Extra Vaginal Discharge
Not surprisingly, your lady parts know when a baby is on the way. It’s why you might feel more moist than usual down there, especially when you’re making love. While this might be welcome news if you’re typically less lubricated, too much of a good thing can actually decrease sensation for both of you. But it doesn't have to put a damper on your romp — a little bit of foreplay for him can help him keep up.
A Stronger Natural Scent
Many pregnant women notice that their nether regions smell a bit different. If you get a whiff that’s less than sultry, don’t let it turn you off from sex. If it bothers you, massage scented oil into your inner thighs to mask the scent.
Light Bleeding After Sex
A bit of spotting following intercourse might make you hesitant to get busy the next time you’re between the sheets. But fear not, it’s totally normal: When you’re pregnant your uterus is engorged with additional blood vessels, your whole pelvic region is experiencing increased blood flow, and your cervix is more ripe (read: sensitive, even more so toward the end of your pregnancy) — all of which can make bleeding par for a round of intercourse. As long as the spotting is light it’s usually nothing to worry about — though it’s still worth mentioning to your practitioner.
Remember that no matter what kind of pregnancy sex problems you encounter, you should decide whether or not you’re ultimately comfortable getting intimate. If you don’t feel like getting busy, consider cuddling, kissing and touching, all of which can foster intimacy, too.
Your belly is swelling, you’re bloated and achy, and rollicking between-the-sheets playtime sounds like a far-away fantasy right about now. Yep, you’re pregnant: As your body is busy making a baby, you’re probably wondering if you’ll ever get intimate with your partner again. But don’t let common pregnancy sex problems get you down — it’s as important as ever to keep your bond strong before your bundle of joy arrives (when diaper changes and sleep schedules will create other roadblocks to carving out time for intimacy). Navigate the choppy waters until yours breaks with these tips to fix your most pressing pregnancy sex problems:
Nausea
Pregnant or not, tummy troubles make most women feel unsexy. And when morning sickness strikes, it’s no wonder sex becomes the last thing on your mind. Unlike a headache, though (which can actually improve after a quick sex session!), knocking boots just makes nausea worse. So wait until you feel less woozy, or schedule sexy time for a different time of day (like the evening if your nausea strikes in the a.m.) — and take comfort in the fact that nausea typically tapers off by the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy.
Fatigue
Growing a baby is exhausting — especially in the first and third trimesters. But conking out as soon as your head hits the pillow can squash the romance for couples who typically have sex at night. Luckily for you and your partner, there’s a simple solution: Get busy first thing in the morning (it’ll make for a much better day!). Or, draw the shades on a weekend afternoon, and get it on before the sun goes down. Bonus: Once your partner is in bed, you’ll have a human pillow for a post-sex nap.
</div> <div id='passback-wb97abda82a'></div>
A Growing Baby Bump
The elephant in the room: While it’s true that your baby belly can stand between you and some sex positions you loved before getting pregnant, there are plenty of other twists and turns that are just as intimate, like side-lying positions. Most experts recommend man on top, woman on top or rear entry.
Negative Body Image
Did you know that most men find the pregnant female form entirely arousing? (It’s true! Just ask your partner...) So tune out the self-doubt, turn down the lights, and focus on how much you’re attracted to your partner. Once you slip your clothes off, he’ll be doing the same thing — and you’ll both be glad you did!
Swelling
Pregnancy can increase the blood flow to your pelvic area — which can feel oh-so-awesome or a bit annoying, depending on how it affects you. For some mothers-to-be, this pregnancy symptom increases sensitivity and leads to stronger and easier orgasms. But it makes others feel less satisfied after an orgasm, like a sneeze that got away. It’s also touch-and-go for your partner: Your swelling leads to a snugger fit, which could be a pregnancy pro for your partner. Alternatively, it could cause him to lose his erection. (So don’t take it personally!)
Leaky Breasts During Foreplay
While this can be a bit messy (and slightly awkward, if you don’t expect it), some women begin to produce pre-milk called colostrum in response to stimulation, especially during the third trimester. So when second base gets slippery, it’s nothing to worry about — unless it makes you uncomfortable. The fix: Ask your partner to focus on other parts of your body, like your favorite spot below the belly (yes, that one...).
Tender Breasts
While engorged early-pregnancy breasts will likely pique the interest of your partner, many women feel painful tenderness when their extra-large ladies are touched. Luckily (for both of you!), the sensitivity tends to subside by month four. So tell your partner to look without touching — at least until you’re in the second trimester.
Extra Vaginal Discharge
Not surprisingly, your lady parts know when a baby is on the way. It’s why you might feel more moist than usual down there, especially when you’re making love. While this might be welcome news if you’re typically less lubricated, too much of a good thing can actually decrease sensation for both of you. But it doesn't have to put a damper on your romp — a little bit of foreplay for him can help him keep up.
A Stronger Natural Scent
Many pregnant women notice that their nether regions smell a bit different. If you get a whiff that’s less than sultry, don’t let it turn you off from sex. If it bothers you, massage scented oil into your inner thighs to mask the scent.
Light Bleeding After Sex
A bit of spotting following intercourse might make you hesitant to get busy the next time you’re between the sheets. But fear not, it’s totally normal: When you’re pregnant your uterus is engorged with additional blood vessels, your whole pelvic region is experiencing increased blood flow, and your cervix is more ripe (read: sensitive, even more so toward the end of your pregnancy) — all of which can make bleeding par for a round of intercourse. As long as the spotting is light it’s usually nothing to worry about — though it’s still worth mentioning to your practitioner.
Remember that no matter what kind of pregnancy sex problems you encounter, you should decide whether or not you’re ultimately comfortable getting intimate. If you don’t feel like getting busy, consider cuddling, kissing and touching, all of which can foster intimacy, too.
