Pregnancy Sex 101: A Guide to Getting It On Every Trimester

If you find yourself feeling frisky when you’re expecting, you’re not alone. A heightened sex drive is an extremely common experience in pregnant women. You’ll be pleased to know it’s completely healthy to act on these natural desires. And – the best part –  it will feel absolutely amazing, too!

However, pregnancy sex becomes a little different than pre-pregnancy sex as your tiny baby bumpy starts to grow into a beautiful belly. Certain positions might be a little less comfortable or satisfying for both partners. But if you and your partner are willing to work around these changes, you can most definitely have great sex during every stage of your pregnancy. 

On that note, here is what you can expect for each trimester:

First Trimester

At this stage, the only thing about your pregnancy that might stop you from having sex are early symptoms like nausea, bloating, constipation, exhaustion, etc. Morning sickness can also make morning sex just a tad difficult. 

But as long as you’re feeling good, there’s a pretty good chance that virtually any sex position will feel good, too. So, feel free to try all the positions and activities you and your partner usually prefer. 

It’s also important to note that morning sickness usually ends between weeks 12-14. Before you know it, you’ll have a lot more energy and your appetite for morning sex will be back like it never left. 

Second Trimester

Now that your baby bump is getting bigger, you might not want to engage in any positions that put weight on your belly, or have you lying on your back for too long. 

One of the most comfortable positions for this stage is lying on your side, either front-to-front with your partner or front-to-back. Both positions keep the weight off your back, and you don’t have to hold up the weight of your belly. 

Cowgirl also doesn’t put any pressure on your belly, and it gives you more control over the depth of your partner’s penetration. You can also shift around to see which angles feel best. If possible, put your hands on the top of the headboard to stabilize your body and save yourself some energy. 

Another great position for this stage is having your partner enter you from behind, with your arms and head resting comfortably on your bed. Just make sure to take it slow because your cervix may be especially sensitive during this stage. 

Third Trimester

This is the point when some positions – like cowgirl – might start to get a little challenging. To keep your belly out of the equation, you might want to stick with the always reliable side-by-side (a.k.a. spoon) and rear entry (a.k.a. doggy style). Neither position puts pressure on your bladder and uterus, which is ideal when you already feel like you have to pee every 10 minutes. During side-by-side, put a pillow in between your knees for some extra comfort. 

The most important thing to remember about pregnancy sex is that unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise, it is completely safe to enjoy whatever positions you and your partner like. You just have to listen to your body and do what feels comfortable, and that may change from trimester to trimester. 

If you feel your pregnancy has put a damper on your sex life, sex and intimacy therapy can be very helpful for finding a solution. You shouldn’t have to deprive yourself of pleasure just because your needs have changed, and your partner has needs, too. So, when you and your partner are ready to talk about your concerns and explore alternative ways to please each other, contact me for your FREE consultation.