Sex during pregnancy?

Is it still safe to have sexual intercourse while a mother-to-be is carrying her baby? According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, for most pregnant women, there is no cause for concern.

Is it still safe to have sexual intercourse while a mother-to-be is carrying her baby? According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, for most pregnant women, there is no cause for concern.

In women at low risk of pregnancy complications, most available data seem to indicate that there is no risk associated with intercourse. However, women with lower genital tract infections appear to be at a greater risk of premature labour if they have frequent intercourse.

There is little solid evidence available to guide recommendations for women with a higher risk of complications, such as those with cervical incompetence, carrying more than one baby or with a history of early labour. These women should speak to their physician to establish whether they can have sex without endangering the pregnancy.

During pregnancy more than ever, wearing a condom is strongly recommended if the women has a new partner or is not in an exclusively monogamous relationship, as a sexually transmitted infection can lead to harmful consequences for both the mother and the foetus.

In addition to considerations regarding risks to the pregnancy, comfort levels and sexual drive should always guide women’s decisions about having sex during pregnancy and shortly after they give birth.