How physical changes in pregnancy affect sexual health

Sex during pregnancy can feel different from how it felt before you were pregnant.

When you’re pregnant, hormones and extra blood flow to your genitals can make sex more enjoyable. But symptoms like sore breasts and nausea, as well as your growing belly, can also make sex uncomfortable.

Also, it’s normal to have mild stomach cramps or contractions during or right after sex. These cramps might happen because the muscles in your uterus contract during orgasm. Cramps can also be triggered by hormones in a male partner’s semen.

If you have mild cramps during or after sex, you can ease your discomfort by having a warm shower or bath or using a heat pack.

If your health professional has told you to avoid sex or if you don’t feel like having sex, you can feel close to your partner in other ways. For example, you can still kiss, hug, cuddle or massage each other.

What to know about having sex during pregnancy

If your pregnancy is going smoothly, it’s safe to have sex and orgasm while you’re pregnant.

You might worry that sex will harm the baby. But your baby is well protected and sealed off in the amniotic sac, so you can’t hurt your baby by having sex.

There are some situations where sex might be unsafe during pregnancy. These might be if you:

• have shown signs of a possible miscarriage or premature labour
• have a history of cervical weakness
• have been experiencing severe abdominal pain or cramps
• have been diagnosed with placenta praevia
• have vaginal bleeding, or the bleeding has stopped but the cause is unclear
• think your waters have broken.

If you’re showing signs of problems in your pregnancy and you’re unsure about sex during pregnancy, talk with your midwife or doctor. They’ll tell you whether it’s OK.

When to call a doctor, midwife or hospital

Call your midwife, doctor or hospital immediately if you have any of these symptoms after sex during pregnancy:

• severe stomach cramps or contractions that get stronger and more regular
• bleeding
• sharp stomach pain
• dizziness, nausea or vomiting
• fever or chills
• vaginal discharge that looks or smells different.

Sex during pregnancy FAQs

Can you have sex while pregnant?

Yes. It’s usually safe to have sex if your pregnancy is going smoothly. As your belly grows, you can try experimenting with different sexual positions to find what is most comfortable for you.

Check with your midwife or doctor if you’re worried.

Will sex during pregnancy hurt my baby?

If the pregnancy is going smoothly, your baby is well protected and sealed off in the amniotic sac. You can’t hurt your baby by having sex.

When should I avoid sex during pregnancy?

You might need to avoid sex during pregnancy if you have signs of a miscarriage or premature labour, a history of cervical weakness, severe abdominal pain or cramps, placenta praevia or vaginal bleeding. You should also avoid sex if your waters have broken.

Check with your midwife or doctor if you have any questions or you feel worried.

Can sex bring on labour?

Sex won’t induce premature labour.

Sex also won’t bring on labour in a term pregnancy unless your body is ready to go into labour anyway.

Is it normal for my sex drive to change in pregnancy?

When you’re pregnant, it’s common for your sex drive to be higher or lower than before. This can be because of changes in your body, hormones, mood and energy levels. These changes are natural.

Most couples have less sex when they’re expecting a baby. It’s OK if you or your partner don’t feel like having sex.

What should I do if my partner wants sex, but I don’t?

If you don’t feel like having sex, you can maintain intimacy and be close in other ways. For example, you can kiss, hug, cuddle, give massages or take a bath together. Even a brief touch as you pass each other in the kitchen can remind you of your bond.

No matter what you’re feeling, it can help to talk it through with your partner. This can help each of you understand what the other is going through and keep you connected.

If it’s hard to talk about issues in your sexual relationship, you can speak to a counsellor or psychologist. You can also call Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277 or the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321.

What should I do if my partner forces me to have sex during pregnancy?

It’s not OK for your partner to force you to have sex. This is a form of family violence. You can get support by talking to your doctor or midwife or another health professional. You can also contact the National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service by calling 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), texting 0458 737 732, using online chat or video calling.