Making love during pregnancy

You can make love whenever you want to, provided that you don't try to get too athletic and that there are no medical reasons for you to avoid sex. Good sex in pregnancy is not only very enjoyable, but also helps to prepare you for childbirth by keeping your pelvic muscles strong and supple. It helps strengthen your bonds with your partner, too, which will help you cope much better with the stresses of parenthood.

© DK

There's no physical reason why a woman having a normal pregnancy shouldn't continue enjoying making love with her partner. If both partners are happy, sex can continue right up to when you begin labour. In a low-risk pregnancy, the uterine spasms that you have with orgasms are perfectly safe, and in late pregnancy they help prepare the uterus for the rigours of labour.

It's not true that sex can cause an infection during pregnancy and may harm the baby. Infection is virtually impossible because the cervix is plugged with a tough mucus that prevents bacteria getting into the uterus. Also, the baby is completely enclosed inside the amniotic sac, which resists rupture even when under great pressure and cushions him against all external forces (including the weight of a partner during intercourse).

That said, extremely athletic sex is not a good idea, because it may cause soreness and abrasions and a pregnant woman should be free of these unnecessary discomforts.

Your pregnancy lovemaking

You'll find that the missionary position becomes awkward and uncomfortable as your pregnancy goes on, but there are other sexual positions you can use to enhance your enjoyment - without in any way diminishing that of your partner. Side-by-side positions are often pleasurable, as is vaginal sex from behind, because in these positions your abdomen is not under any pressure from the weight of your partner.

Sitting positions can be very enjoyable in the later months of pregnancy, allowing you to adjust your position but still see your partner's face and feel very close to him. If you are feeling sexy, but you don't really want intercourse, you and your partner could explore other forms of sensual and sexual pleasuring, such as erotically stroking and kissing each other, massage, mutual masturbation, and oral sex.

As your pregnancy advances you may find you have to change your sexual habits. Try to understand any changes in your own and your partner's sexual desires. Be open and ready to talk to each other about your needs, but don't let your sex life become the dominant feature of your overall relationship. Concentrate on loving rather than lovemaking, and rediscover the intimacy and joy of simply being with the one you love.

Dr Miriam Stoppard

---

MIRIAM STOPPARD

M.D, D.Sc, DCL, FRCP, OBE

Doctor, businesswoman, journalist and writer, Miriam Stoppard has two sons, two stepsons, two stepdaughters and eleven grandchildren.  She obtained the degrees of M.B., B.S., M.D., M.R.C.P., while studying and practising medicine at London, Newcastle and Bristol Universities.  In 1998 she was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London.

After seven years practising medicine and specialising in dermatology she entered the pharmaceutical industry eventually holding the posts of Research Director and Managing Director.  Later she developed a career in television, which spanned over 18 years, and to date has published more than eighty books on conception, pregnancy and birth, childcare and development, women’s and family health.  She currently writes a daily page for a national newspaper.

In 2003 Miriam set up Miriam Stoppard Lifetime Ltd, which globally licences and markets the brand.

In addition to two Honorary Doctorates of Science, in 2004 she received an Honorary Doctorate of Law.

In November 2005 Bounty Mums voted Miriam the UK’s No.1 parenting guru. In November 2008 Miriam received the prestigious Stonewall Journalist of the Year award.

And to most recently in January 2010 Miriam received an OBE in the New Year's Honour List for her services to healthcare and charity.

The Miriam Stoppard brand has been developed and built upon the credibility and authority of the UK’s best selling family expert, providing aspirational healthcare, information and services designed to support women and their families through every stage of their lives. The name Miriam Stoppard stands for accessible, practical, caring, authoritative, credible, and reassuring advice. In other words “the thinking has been done for you!” ™

• For more information about Dr Stoppard, her work and publications, visit her website

http://pregnancy.doctissimo.com/pregnancy-wellbeing/sensual-pregnancy/making-love-during-pregnancy.html