For some women, the extra hormones raging through their body leads to an increased sex drive during pregnancy. For others, the back ache, swollen ankles and fatigue are enough to put them right off the thought of sex. If you don’t feel like having sex, that’s fine. Talk to your partner about how you feel.
If you would like to have sex, you may find it gets a little trickier in the third trimester. As your bump grows and your breasts become increasingly tender, you may need to experiment with sex positions for pregnancy to find one that feels comfortable.
Here are some tried and tested sex positions for late pregnancy:
- Spoons in a drawer – lie on your side with your knees pulled up near your bump. Your partner should spoon you and enter you from behind. This position will prevent your partner from going in too deep so may be more comfortable for you. With your bump resting on the bed, you will be under less strain, too.
- From behind – get down on your hands and knees (this position is sometimes referred to as ‘doggy style’). Your partner should enter you from behind.
- On top – your partner should lie down, and you should lower yourself onto him. The good thing about this position is that you are able to control the depth of penetration. Simply rock gently in this position.
- Reverse cowgirl – like the above, but you should sit facing your partner’s feet instead of his face.
- Take a seat – your partner should sit on a sturdy chair. You should then lower yourself onto him. This position allows you to control the depth of penetration, and also allows for plenty of kissing.
- Face to face – lie facing your partner, and lean your top leg over your partner’s side. This position will restrict deep penetration, and the weight of your bump will be supported on the bed.
- The edge – sit at the edge of the bed, and pull your feet up onto the edge of the mattress. Lie yourself back, ideally on a pillow to keep you tilted upright (and avoid lying flat on your back). Your partner should stand or kneel in front of you.
It may take a few attempts to find the position that works best for you. As your body changes, and your centre of balance moves, you may need to keep adjusting the sexual positions in favour.
Later in the pregnancy, it is normal for orgasms to trigger Braxton Hicks contractions. It’s nothing to worry about if you experience these irregular contractions.
If you experience cramping that doesn’t disappear after a few minutes, or if you experience pain or bleeding during or after sex, you should contact your healthcare provider.
Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.
