Sexual intercourse before childbirth. Sex in the last days of pregnancy: is it worth it or not? Pros and cons of therapy

Towards the end of pregnancy, fatigue accumulates and a woman’s vigilance becomes dulled, but this is the most crucial time, before the onset of labor. Now it is worth protecting yourself from injuries and falls, colds and other infections so that they do not complicate childbirth or harm you and your baby.

Of course, by the 40th week of pregnancy, almost all expectant mothers already know how to behave. It is important to take care of your health, get proper rest, and spend more time in the fresh air. However, in the last days before giving birth, you should pay special attention to your well-being and lifestyle. It is important to find out what you should and should not do in the last days before giving birth.

What not to do at 40 weeks of pregnancy

Considering that childbirth will begin at any moment, bans are imposed on long-distance travel and flights, and bumpy driving even 100 km from the city threatens to give birth on the road. Naturally, if you are away from home. It is forbidden to leave documents and phone number at home if labor begins at a party or on the street - this will become an unnecessary problem and nervous experience for you.
It is worth remembering that at 40 weeks of pregnancy it is strictly forbidden to do repairs - breathe in chemicals and paints, move furniture and overwork when cleaning, washing and housework. It is worth refusing to wash windows and high shelves, not using a stepladder, and not climbing high, so as not to fall and get injured. When the mucus plug comes out, you should not take a bath; you should only bathe in the shower. At the same time, lay a non-slip rubber mat on the bottom of the bath. Naturally, you should give up extreme sports and heavy lifting, even if these are bags from the store. You now need to rest and gain strength.

What to do at 40 weeks of pregnancy

During this period, you should pay more attention to yourself and your condition. You need to rest as much as possible, sleep during the day, and use additional pillows at night to find a comfortable position. You should eat varied and light, according to your appetite, you can indulge in various delicacies. It is important to spend a lot of time in the fresh air, taking leisurely walks, this will help prepare the cervix for childbirth.

You need to get as many positive emotions as possible from communicating with loved ones, your spouse and your future baby, read books and listen to music, watch good films.

Sex at 40 weeks pregnant

The question of whether you can have sex at 40 weeks of pregnancy is controversial. On the one hand, intimacy prepares the cervix for childbirth, softening it. But, if the mucous plug has separated, intimate intimacy is no longer recommended due to the risk of infection of the fetus. Naturally, it is prohibited in case of leakage of amniotic fluid, placenta previa and poor health.

Smoking at 40 weeks of pregnancy

In the last days of pregnancy, it is absolutely worth giving up bad habits, including smoking (even passive) and drinking alcohol. They negatively affect the fetus and the birth process, leading to complications during labor and the birth of a weakened baby. It is worth categorically giving up such bad habits completely.

A pregnant woman should not only prepare for the role of a mother, but also remain a loving wife for her husband. In this regard, it is difficult to overestimate the importance of a full intimate life. But is it possible to practice sexual intercourse shortly before childbirth? In what cases is it better to abstain? What is “husband therapy”?

Is it possible to have sex before giving birth?

Attitudes towards sex during pregnancy in society and medicine today have changed significantly, especially in the prenatal period. Thus, doctors used to place a taboo on all types of sexual intercourse (including oral) six weeks before PDR, since they could end in female orgasm. And he, in turn, tones the uterus, causing the threat of premature birth. However, over time, this position has changed, and most modern gynecologists not only do not prohibit, but even recommend having an intimate life in the final weeks of pregnancy.

In society, myths and misconceptions (especially among grandmothers) related to this issue have not yet been eradicated.

Myths associated with postpartum sex have not yet been eradicated from society; expectant mothers of the older generation are especially frightened

Table: myths associated with prenatal sex and their refutation

The fetus is protected from the slightest damage by amniotic fluid, the placenta and the muscular walls of the uterus.

The benefits of “husband therapy” before childbirth and possible harm

If the pregnancy is going well, then having sex before giving birth is, of course, possible and necessary. This process will bring a lot of benefits in physiological and psychological aspects:

1. Towards the end of pregnancy, a woman’s level of sex hormones increases, so she usually experiences great sexual desire and satisfaction with the process of intercourse itself. The expectant mother is guaranteed a good mood, which is very important on the eve of childbirth, when anxious thoughts are often overwhelming. Of course, the spouse will also feel loved and needed, but some men also worry about the birth of a child, believing that now their wife will pay less attention to them. In addition, sex with a pregnant partner is especially exciting for many (namely, her big belly in the third trimester), and opens up new dimensions of sensations for the couple.
2. During sexual intercourse, blood rushes to the pelvis, resulting in increased uteroplacental blood flow. This has a beneficial effect on the fetus: it receives more oxygen and nutrients.
3. Sex shortly before childbirth is an effective and most enjoyable method of home stimulation of labor (so-called “husband therapy”). This remedy should especially be used if PDD has already been left behind, and the baby is in no hurry to be born. The fact is that male sperm helps smooth and soften the cervix, and the prostaglandins it contains promote dilatation. In addition, endorphins produced during orgasm have a mild pain-relieving effect.

In the psychological aspect, prenatal sex has enormous benefits, bringing spouses even closer together

All of the above applies not only to traditional vaginal sex, but also to anal sex. Shortly before PDR, it can also speed up an important event, since it stimulates the woman’s reproductive tract well (after all, the rectum and vagina are in close proximity) and can also cause her orgasm. The main thing is to be careful and hygienic, to prevent unfavorable microflora from entering the vagina.

Anal sex should not be practiced too often. If it brings pleasure to both partners, then it is better to do it no more than once a week.

Oral sex is also allowed before childbirth. Such intimate caresses bring a sea of ​​vivid impressions, which, of course, will only bring benefits to the expectant mother. The partner just needs to be careful not to blow air into the vagina.

Before giving birth, non-traditional types of sex (anal and oral) will also be useful, because they can also cause an orgasm in the partner

However, despite all the benefits of prenatal sex, a woman should not forget about medical recommendations and ignore her contraindications. So, in some conditions you still have to abstain from lovemaking:

1. Increased uterine tone, which is periodically observed throughout pregnancy.
2. Risk of miscarriage. It may again be associated with increased tone, short neck, low placentation, inflammation and other factors.
3. Multiple pregnancy. When a woman is expecting twins (and even more so triplets), she rarely carries children for all 40 weeks - labor begins no later than 38 weeks. Therefore, it is better to abstain from sex in the third trimester in order to bear babies for as long as possible.
4. The discharge of amniotic fluid in a pregnant woman and the mucus plug. If this happens (or at least one thing happens), sexual contact is prohibited, as it is fraught with infection. In addition, at this moment you need to think not about sex, but about a trip to the maternity hospital.

In addition to the purely physiological reasons why you should refuse sex for a long time, you should definitely take into account the mood of the expectant mother. After all, sexual contact lifts the mood and relaxes only when it occurs by mutual desire. If, for some reason, the expectant mother is not currently in the mood for lovemaking, the partner must show understanding. His persistence in such a situation will only bring harm to the woman.

Photo gallery: when is it better to abstain from prenatal sex

The husband must take into account the mood of his pregnant wife, because sex should only be by mutual desire. If the pregnancy is multiple, it is better to refuse sex in the third trimester so that the woman can carry the babies longer. Sexual intercourse is unacceptable if the expectant mother’s water has already broken or the mucus plug has broken. If the pregnant woman has regular increased uterine tone is recorded, it is better to abstain from sex. If there is a threat of interruption, for example, if there is low placentation, sex is prohibited

Video: the pros and cons of sex during pregnancy (TV presenter Tutta Larsen explains)

How to have sex before giving birth

Even if your pregnancy is going well, couples should be careful when having sex in the final weeks before giving birth. You should refrain from too intense movements and dangerous poses. Frictions of the partner should be neat, measured, and the sexual act itself should not be too long.

The main principle of prenatal sex is that it is possible, but only with caution: the spouse must be extremely attentive and gentle

When, during intimate contact, a woman begins to experience discomfort and pain, and even more so, spotting is detected, it should be stopped immediately. If unpleasant symptoms do not go away within half an hour, you should consult your doctor or at least call him.

As for the choice of acceptable positions, before childbirth it is not very wide due to the impressive size of the female belly. The most suitable option is a position where the partner stands, leaning on a wall or chair, or lies on her side (“spoons”). In both cases, the active role belongs to the man.

You can also practice the “cowgirl” pose, but all the movements are again performed by the partner, and the spouse leans on his bent knees (it is also permissible for a woman to periodically make movements back and forth).

The partner does not need to lie on her back during sex, since pressure on the abdomen and squeezing of the inferior vena cava are inevitable. And in the “doggy style” pose, popular among many couples, the big belly will already sway or rest against the bed or knees.

Decreased sexual desire before childbirth

Before giving birth, the level of female sex hormones increases in a pregnant woman. For most expectant mothers, this causes a surge in sexual desire, but in some cases, libido, on the contrary, decreases. In addition, this condition can be provoked by dissatisfaction with her figure (a woman is embarrassed to undress in front of her husband, believes that she cannot arouse desire in him), or by being immersed in prenatal troubles. Naturally, all this affects the quality of sex; the partner often avoids sexual intercourse altogether.

Interestingly, a similar reaction can be observed in a man (while his wife strives for intimate life). In the last stages of gestation, he begins to imagine himself in the role of a caring father, is afraid of injuring the baby (despite all the woman’s assurances), and treats his wife as the mother of his child, and not as a mistress.

A man may not perceive his pregnant wife as a mistress

In both situations, it is best for partners to talk frankly with each other, and not just find constant excuses not to have sex. If the problem is with a woman, then the man must convince her of his own attractiveness and dispel possible anxieties associated with the upcoming important event. A walk together, a candlelight dinner, and pleasant music will help you get into the romantic mood. In any case, the partner should not insist on sex, but show understanding.

If a man has fears, then it is best for a woman to wait (and not invent non-existent mistresses, etc.) and surround her husband with attention. After all, pleasure can be brought not only by sexual contacts, but also by simply spending time together, hugging, or a relaxing massage.

Video: psychological aspects of sex before childbirth (gynecologist explains)

Many young families ask specialists about the possibility of continuing intimate life while their partner is carrying a baby. Husband therapy before childbirth has its advantages and disadvantages. The gynecologist should tell you about them. You should also know how to properly use husband therapy before childbirth in order to get the maximum benefit and not harm the little body.

Natural childbirth is the best scenario

When a woman feels an orgasm, her uterus becomes toned. In the early stages of pregnancy, sexual intercourse can lead to miscarriage. And before giving birth, doctors recommend that their patients resort to intimate relationships. Husband therapy promotes the timely onset of labor. After intimacy with a partner, the uterus opens more easily.

If a woman has no pregnancy-related contraindications, husband therapy will be useful. You can have sex every day and several times. It all depends on the wishes and well-being of the expectant mother. Experts recommend being as careful as possible and not putting pressure on your stomach. The doctor will tell you how to properly perform husbandry therapy before childbirth, so as not to harm the baby.

During intimacy with a partner, a woman is recommended to take a position on her side. This will minimize the risk of pressure on the abdomen. A woman can lie on her back, provided that she is comfortable in this position. A man should make sure that his partner does not feel pain. Also avoid prolonged sexual intercourse. He needs to protect her from excessive activity. If there is any discomfort, stop making love.

Many qualified specialists recommend that young couples who are expecting a baby have sex before giving birth. It is important not to forget about precautions. Consequences or complications can appear within a few hours or the next day after husband therapy.

This method of stimulating labor is chosen by doctors if the baby is in no hurry to be born. The mother is very worried at this time, as she is post-term, taking into account the timing. And this can have consequences not only for a small organism. The woman herself is under threat.

Inducing labor with husband therapy is a safe and natural way to speed up the birth of your baby. Medical experts do not officially confirm this fact, but many doctors and young mothers are confident in this. It is always better to give birth to a child naturally than to take medications that can be harmful not only to the female body.

Pros and cons of therapy

A normal pregnancy cannot be a serious contraindication for sexual intercourse with your husband. Having sex in this situation will have a positive effect on the health of mother and child.

Advantages of husband therapy:

1. The general mood of a pregnant woman improves.
2. After orgasm, endorphins are released in the body of the expectant mother. This is a hormone of joy, it is useful for mother and child too.
3. After intimacy, the cervix softens.
4. Husband therapy promotes the onset of labor.
5. During sexual activity, the uterus is trained.

The composition of male sperm includes a hormone that has a positive effect on the cervix. It acquires softness and elasticity. Therefore, during labor, the cervix will open quickly and painlessly.

The female body also produces natural lubricant during sexual intercourse. Its effect on the cervix is ​​also positive. Softening and moisturizing it leads to a simplified birth process.

During lovemaking, the circulatory system works in an enhanced mode. This leads to an increase in uteroplacental flow. Qualified specialists are confident that for a pregnant woman before childbirth, such a phenomenon brings only benefits.

Negative aspects of husband therapy:

1. The process is not fully understood by medical scientists. Prenatal care is not fully proven.
2. During sexual intercourse, a pregnant woman may experience a plug. Its absence increases the risk of fetal infection if the mother or father has sexually transmitted diseases.

Sometimes intimate intimacy can cause premature birth. Qualified specialists do not recommend that future parents get involved in sex, especially at 8 months.

Contraindications

Husband therapy is not always beneficial. In the case of broken waters, the woman needs to go to the maternity hospital. There is no time for sexual intimacy. In addition, there is a risk of infecting the child with a sexually transmitted infection.

A woman will not receive the expected positive effect if she is not ready for intimacy with a man. On the contrary, it can become very stressful for her, which will entail a negative reaction. There are situations when pregnant women, while carrying a baby, do not feel the need for sexual intimacy with their partner at all. You shouldn’t force her, and the woman should explain to the man the reason for her refusal.

Husband therapy will be useful before childbirth if there is a mutual desire of the spouses. Despite numerous positive aspects, intimacy during pregnancy has certain contraindications:

• the presence of pathological processes. Marital therapy before childbirth is prohibited if specialists have diagnosed placental presentation in a woman. Sexual intercourse can provoke its detachment, and therefore bleeding.
• if there is a threat of miscarriage or an increased likelihood of premature birth;
• the appearance of pain during intimacy;
• presence of pathological discharge;
• there is a risk of violating the integrity of the amniotic sac.

It happens that after sexual intercourse a woman begins to bleed heavily. If medical attention is needed, call a doctor. A clear liquid that can be released in large quantities after intimacy with a man should attract attention.

Making love is not always harmful, especially if the partners follow the doctor's recommendations. Do not use extreme positions or forced games. It is necessary to constantly remember caution and individual contraindications.

What should the sex life of an expectant mother be like before giving birth - in the author's column by Diana Mardas

Photo source: www.eka-mama.ru

1. Does sexual activity really provoke an early onset of contractions?

Yes, yes and yes again! Sexual activity is a permitted “accelerator” of childbirth! 3 reasons for home stimulation:

• Firstly, the most common thing happens mechanical stimulation of the cervix the male genital organ, but this is not the main thing.
• Secondly, men's seminal fluid contains special hormones - prostaglandins, which have the ability to soften the cervix. It is these hormones that we, obstetricians-gynecologists, use to prepare the cervix for childbirth.

Have you heard the scary word “induction of labor”? So, special medical gels and droppers contain these same hormones prostaglandins, which we can get at home in an absolutely pleasant intimate atmosphere!

Photo source: www.insexshop.com.ua

• Thirdly, when a woman is sexually aroused, and especially During orgasm, the hormone oxytocin, known to every expectant mother, is produced, which is sometimes used in maternity hospitals to stimulate labor.

2. Is it possible for everyone to be sexually active on the eve of childbirth?

Yes, if there is no danger of harm to health. For “husband therapy” there are strict contraindications:

• placenta previa.

When the placenta closes the exit from the uterus, sexual intercourse can provoke placental abruption and bleeding.

Photo source: www.promum.ru

• if there are doubts about the integrity of the amniotic sac.

If you experience discharge that looks like water (a clear, colorless liquid), you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

In this case, there is a high probability of infection of the membranes and the fetus, since one of the functions of the membranes is to protect the fetus from infection.

• in case of any sexually transmitted infections, one of the partners should be excluded from sexual activity.

3. Why do many women experience increased sexual desire on the eve of childbirth?

For many women, sexual desire increases at 37 weeks and beyond. It's a matter of swelling the tendency to which increases towards the end of pregnancy.

Photo source: www.miami-boom.com

Swelling appears not only on the legs and face, but also in the genital area, where, as you know, erogenous zones are located! These areas are further stimulated by swollen tissue.

Already from the beginning of pregnancy blood supply to the vagina and uterus increases sharply. Especially on the eve of childbirth.

This determines the fact that many women experience orgasm for the first time on the eve of childbirth.

Photo source: www.colady.ru

4. Can a child hear and see how mom and dad indulge in lovemaking?

Typical male question. Once a patient called me, to whom I recommended “husband therapy” on the eve of giving birth and tearfully asked:

Please tell my husband that the child will not know or see anything!!!

That was the first time I encountered such a fear of future dads. Dear future mothers and fathers, there is no danger for the baby if you follow the rules from point 2. He will not understand anything, will not remember, will not hear and will not remember this in the fifth year of his life!

Photo source: www.twimg.com

I, as a representative of obstetricians and gynecologists, give you the green light to such a pleasant method of accelerating labor. And then, from the arms of your beloved spouse, to our maternity hospital with a good mood and good dilatation of the cervix!

What fears did your husband have about sex life during pregnancy?

The column is led by:

Diana Mardas, director, author of courses, obstetrician-gynecologist practicing in a maternity hospital, certified specialist in the field of breastfeeding, management of high-risk pregnancy and childbirth, psychology of pregnancy, developer of an assessment scale for the occurrence of cerebral palsy in a child, author of numerous publications in the field of pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, medical law , graduate of international and republican conferences in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.

In this article:

Very often, young couples waiting for a new baby ask themselves: how long can they have sex in an interesting position, and will the forward-returning movements harm the unborn baby? There is simply no clear answer to this question, and in order to understand how great the risk is, you need to evaluate all the features of each specific pregnancy.

Indeed, sex before childbirth in most cases is not only harmless, but even useful and pleasant. There is no longer any need to protect yourself, and both partners can completely relax and surrender to their sensations. However, there are a number of contraindications, knowing about which, a man and a woman should refuse lovemaking before the birth of a baby. What are we talking about?

Features of the female body: you will not disturb the child

One of the most common misconceptions regarding pregnancy and marital relationships during this period is the following: you can hurt the child, cause him anxiety or even harm. After all, the baby in the womb is already big enough, and sex will bother him. Actually this is not true.

The fetus in the uterus is reliably surrounded by water, which not only softens any external influence, but also perfectly absorbs it. In addition, it is, as it were, enclosed in a special bag - which also suppresses almost any external influence. Thus, parents cannot cause any harm to the baby, even if they have very intense sex. If you do not have any contraindications or the threat of premature birth, then loving your spouse is not only possible, but even necessary - this will maintain the correct microclimate in the family.

But disturbing a child is not the most important misconception. You can still hear the following opinion from grandmothers: if parents had sex before childbirth, then its consequences will certainly appear on the newborn’s body in the form of dark areas resembling bruises, or even large birthmarks. This nonsense is completely contrary to the nature of pregnancy itself, and it is not even worth listening to. As we have already found out earlier, in the mother’s womb the fetus is reliably protected by waters and the placenta, which, acting together, absolutely exclude even the slightest possibility of injury.

In addition, the male genital organ simply physically cannot penetrate the uterus: even in the first days of pregnancy, it was reliably sealed with a special mucus plug, which seals the internal space and does not allow harmful microflora to enter. This substance will be released only a few hours before the baby is born, so there is simply nothing to worry about. But, on the contrary, it is possible and even necessary to relax and surrender into the hands of your beloved man.

So, sex during pregnancy and even immediately before childbirth is possible and safe if both partners want it. But we shouldn’t forget about a number of objective contraindications, which, having them, are still not worth doing.

Contraindications: when is sex not useful, or even harmful?

Pregnancy is a very complex physiological process in which absolutely all systems of the female body are involved. If the expectant mother had any health problems before conception occurred, they will definitely make themselves felt over the next nine months. The load on the body is simply colossal, and in connection with this, many develop certain complications that interfere with normal sexual life. There is no need to be upset and it is important to understand one thing: sometimes you should forget about sex for the sake of the health of your unborn baby. What contraindications may there be?

1. Mood. Sex is enjoyable and relaxing only when both partners want it, and neither the man nor the woman objects to this physical manifestation of love for each other. If the expectant mother does not want to (and this can happen quite often in recent weeks due to changes in hormonal levels), then it is not worth having sex before childbirth, and, moreover, it is even dangerous. No one needs negative emotions.
2. Physical problems. It is almost impossible to harm a child by having sex even in the very last days of pregnancy - we found this out earlier. But there is another danger here: you can provoke contractions and the premature birth of the baby. The back-and-forth movements that a man makes stimulate the uterus and may well lead to the onset of labor. It is not without reason that many doctors advise women who are post-term to make love to their husbands. There are many cases where sex before childbirth was the stimulus for the onset of this very labor. That is why women whose uterine tone is increased or who have experienced a threat of miscarriage during pregnancy should not abuse sexual pleasures: this is fraught with the premature birth of the child.
3. Condition of a woman's genital organs. Normal sex is not accompanied by any vaginal discharge - this is very important to understand, especially if it occurs before childbirth. If during intimacy your partner experiences bloody discharge or a clear fluid leaks, you should immediately seek medical help. It is quite possible that amniotic fluid has begun to leak and the cervix is ​​dilating, which is a direct sign that the baby will be born soon. In general, in this case, it is no longer sex that should worry, but the fact that the partner is most likely giving birth.

And finally, a few words about anal sex. Many couples, still fearing harm to the child, choose this method of satisfying their love needs. But is this justified?

In principle, anal sex differs from traditional sex only in that the male penis does not penetrate the woman’s vagina. In this regard, you can avoid the entry of any unfavorable microflora - that’s all. Before childbirth, this type of intimacy can also provoke the onset of labor, because it stimulates no less, and sometimes even more intensely, than traditional sex.

So what's the bottom line?

And it is quite simple and transparent. It is definitely worth having sex both throughout pregnancy and immediately before giving birth. Firstly, when else will you have such an opportunity to forget about the need for protection and completely relax and surrender to your desires? Secondly, intimate intimacy, provided that it takes place by mutual consent, always brings satisfaction and a feeling of happiness and trust in a loved one, but the expectant mother simply needs positive emotions.

If she is happy and satisfied, the baby is happy and satisfied, everything is simple. And finally, thirdly, sex before childbirth is an additional opportunity to stimulate the onset of true labor, which is especially important if the pregnancy is prolonged.

Of course, all this is fair and reasonable. But do not forget about the doctor’s recommendations and ignore your personal contraindications. If there is increased tone, the threat of miscarriage, or any other individual characteristics of the pregnancy, it still makes sense to refuse lovemaking. The priority task for the entire period of pregnancy is to carry and give birth to a healthy child on time, so you need to proceed from this goal. And in any case, you should still listen to the gynecologist who is observing the expectant mother.

Sex before childbirth is a natural activity that occurs between two people who love each other, and therefore it should in no way be condemned or considered taboo. If the pregnancy proceeded well, without complications or risks, then doing “this business” is beneficial both for the health and for the psychological state of the future parents.

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