In the not so distant past, the words "sex" and "pregnancy"
were barely ever mentioned in the same sentence.
But today, even the most conservative medical sources say that
as long as a woman is feeling good, and her pregnancy is not in
jeopardy, sex is fine- oftentimes right up until the day of
delivery. Unfortunately, even with these encouraging words, old
fears die hard- and many couples continue to experience
unnecessary concern.
To help set the record straight, what follows is a guide to the
three most common fears about sex during pregnancy - and some
reassuring advice
Fear #1 : Premature Labor Although it's the most common
pregnancy fear, studies on some 13,000 women revealed preterm
labor was less common among women who had intercourse at least
once a week during their pregnancy! Another study of 600 women
found sex during pregnancy had a protective effect against early
labor, as long as couples avoided the "male superior" position.
If, however, you experience extreme cramping after sex, talk to
your doctor before your next rendezvous.
Fear # 2: Hurting the baby Both women and men have this fear -
but it's really the least of your pregnancy worries. Because
your baby floats in a pool of fluid inside your uterus,
protected by your abdominal wall and your pelvis, they are fully
cushioned, protected against all but the most severe blows to
your tummy. Even deep penetration won't harm Baby Snooks! And in
case you're wondering if junior will know what Mom and Dad are
up to - the answer is "no". While your baby will likely feel the
sensations of your body moving, they won't know if you're
dancing the tango, hanging curtains, or having sex!
Fear# 3 Orgasm/miscarriage Because orgasm can generally result
in some degree of cramping and sometimes spotting, many women
are frightened that climaxing during pregnancy will cause either
a miscarriage or bring on labor. For the most part, however, the
fears are unfounded. The most common causes of miscarriage are
genetic defects and infections - not sex. Plus studies show that
orgasm, even when it occurs late in pregnancy, won't bring on
labor. While it can cause your uterus to contract, an orgasm
won't cause cervical dilation, so they won't initiate delivery.
A nice bonus: When mom orgasms, baby experiences a euphoric-like
hormonal rush that is very pleasurable to them.
While it's likely sex will be safe and exciting during your
pregnancy, get your doctor's okay first if you are experiencing:
Vaginal bleeding (as compared to spotting); if you are diagnosed
with an "incompetent cervix"; if you are at increased risk for
premature labor; if you are diagnosed with "placenta previa" (a
problem with the placental sac that supports your baby); if you
are carrying twins or triplets.
For more free information on all aspects of pregnancy care visit
http://www.PamperingMom.com
About the author:
Colette Bouchez is the author of "Your Pefectly Pampered
Pregnancy - Health, Beauty and Lifestyle Advice for the Modern
Mother-To-Be" (Broadway Books,NY) and creator of
http://www.PamperingMom.com
