Sex Drive During Pregnancy

Do you think I’m sexy? As a woman progresses through the various stages of pregnancy, that question can have many different answers, for both her and her partner. The physical and emotional changes that occur within a woman’s body at this special time can have a real effect on a couple’s sex life. It doesn’t have to mean the end of sex, but it is important to be aware of what each partner is experiencing and be sensitive to his/her needs.

The first trimester may find your libido in overdrive, with increased thoughts or fantasies about sex and a feeling of freedom since there is no longer a worry about birth control, but unfortunately the woman’s body may not necessarily cooperate. This is the hardest period for most women, as physical changes begin and they start to experience such effects as morning sickness and increased breast sensitivity. You may need to work around her physical symptoms to maintain a normal sex life. It’s not necessarily easy, but it can be done. Just try your best to be encouraging and supportive.

In the second trimester, the shoe is often on the other foot. Now the woman has begun to relax and become used to the physical changes she is experiencing, but the man may become tense or distant. By now, he can not only see the increased size of his partners belly but he can actually feel the baby kick. This can make some men uncomfortable, either because they are afraid of hurting the baby, feel awkward because it can seem as if the baby “knows” what’s going on, or simply feel jealous because the mother and baby are sharing a very intimate bond. Again, it is important to maintain a sense of balance being aware of your partner’s feelings and supportive of their needs while communicating your own.

Once again, the pendulum swings back during the third trimester. The woman, getting even larger, can feel unattractive and even worry that her body is repulsive to her partner. Truth be known, most men seem to find their partner even more attractive at this stage, so good communication is more important than ever. Not surprisingly, this is the point when maintaining a healthy sex life can be a physically complicated undertaking, but it is still very much possible. Women are likely to become fatigued more easily and obviously it can be hard to find a comfortable position. Each pregnant figure is unique, so there is no one right answer just be patient and experiment until you find something that works for you.

If there are complications with the pregnancy, your doctor may advise against intercourse, but otherwise there is no reason that a pregnant woman can’t continue to enjoy a full and active sex life. This is an important time in your life as a couple, so don’t forget to find time for yourselves even while you’re preparing for baby.