Pregnancy changes your sex life
Whether sex is better than before, slightly uncomfort­able, or completely absent, virtually every couple dis­covers that their sexual relationship changes in some way during the course of pregnancy.



While some cou­ples find that sexual desire is enhanced during this time, others find it lacking. There are many reasons why this might occur, including:

Concern for the baby:
Both the mother- and the father-to-be may .worry that making love might injure the baby in some way or cause a miscarriage. This fear keeps them from enjoying the activity that got them pregnant in the first place. It might be helpful to know that the foetus is protected inside your uterus by the amniotic sac. Keep in mind that sex is perfectly safe in normal, low-risk pregnancies, so try not to let unfounded medical concerns limit your ability to relax and enjoy.

Cramping and bleeding:
A number of women worry about any cramping that they might experience dur­ing or after intercourse. Semen in the vagina, sexual arousal and orgasm can all cause the uterus to cramp. This is normal. The cramping should subside soon after intercourse.



Occasionally, a woman will experience vaginal spotting after intercourse in the first trimester. If this happens to you, refrain from having intercourse again until you discuss with your practitioner the need for any possible restrictions on your sex life. Generally, couples are advised to avoid intercourse until the bleeding has resolved and the pregnancy has been shown (by physical examination or ultrasound) to be progressing normally. If bleeding is heavy and is accompanied by severe cramps or lasts more than a few hours, call your practitioner.

Mum's attitude towards sex:
Many women have less interest in sex during the first trimester. Let's face it: it's hard to feel frisky when you're completely exhausted, your breasts feel like pincushions and you can't stop throwing up! But if they're spared from such symptoms, some pregnant women find that they experience better sex than ever before. This could be because of changing hormones or because they have never felt closer to their partners or so carefree about birth control. And for women who have gone through fertility treatment, the rela­tionship between sex and the pressure to conceive is over. They certainly don't need to worry about it now!

Dad's attitude towards sex:
Some men find their pregnant wives sexier than ever. They may be excited by the physical changes in their partners, may feel especially close to them emotionally, and may even be a bit proud to show off this proof of their own masculinity. Other men, however, find pregnancy a bit of a sexual turnoff or begrudge the fact that their partner's body is now dedicated to a function other than their own physical pleasure. If you sense that your spouse or partner is less than thrilled by your pregnancy, try to get him to talk about his feelings - and try to listen openly, without passing judgment, even if you're disappointed by his reactions. This isn't always easy, I know, but you'll do your relationship a world of good if you can under­stand where your spouse is coming from and pro­vide him the reassurance - or space - that he needs. Remember that even men who seem reluctant to embrace their wives' pregnancies at first often become excited about the-prospect of becoming a father later on. And don't hesitate to seek help from a marital therapist or other counselor if you two can't seem to work through any problems on your own: lots of couples go through a rough patch, espe­cially with first pregnancies.