During pregnancy, many couples find themselves concerned about the safety and comfort of sexual activity. Misinformation often leads to a decrease in sexual activity [1], not because of a lack of desire but due to fears of harming the baby or facing complications. This uncertainty can make sex the last thing on expectant parents’ minds.
Yet, maintaining intimacy during pregnancy is important. It helps nurture the bond with your partner and plays a significant role in mental health. Studies [2] indicate that perceived partner support can significantly reduce anxiety in expectant mothers and lower the risk of emotional or cognitive issues in children. These interactions are essential for fostering a supportive and loving environment as the family grows.
Acknowledging these factors, this article offers a guide to the safest and most comfortable sex positions during pregnancy. Each suggestion is designed with your well-being in mind. However, before trying any new position, it is vital to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure they are safe for your specific pregnancy conditions.
Table Of Contents
1. Doggy Style
The Doggy style still isn’t one the most comfortable sex positions out there – nobody likes stiff knees and sore wrists – especially when you’re pregnant. As if dealing with pregnancy side effects wasn’t enough (duh).
It might not be the best source of intimacy either (forget eye contact and kissing). Still, we all want to connect to our wild side occasionally, and nothing screams pure physicality more than doggy style.
How To Do It?
- Start with kneeling and resting your wrists or elbows on the bed.
- Your partner then kneels behind you and enters you from behind.
- Alternatively, if you’re positioned at the edge of the bed, he can stand behind you instead.
In this position, you’re at your partner’s mercy, but let’s face it, that’s precisely the appeal. Plus, the doggie style is excellent for anal penetration too.
Why Is It Good For Pregnant Sex?
Doggy style is one of the best sex positions during pregnancy as it doesn’t put pressure on your bladder and abdomen.
Furthermore, during pregnancy, the levels of progesterone and blood flow increase, which keeps your vagina lubricated. [3] Doggy makes rear entry easy and enjoyable, even without much foreplay.
2. Spooning
Spooning might seem like a lazy sexual position, but it comes with much intimacy and passion. When you spoon each other, you snuggle closely, allowing for full-body contact. Furthermore, your partner can embrace you and stimulate your clitoris with his fingers. While doggy is all about raw sex, spooning is about connection.
How To Do It?
- Lie on your side and have a partner face the same direction.
- Bend your knees slightly and lift your pelvis to allow for easier entry. Spooning is great for both vaginal and anal sex.
- Feel free to use a pregnancy pillow to support your belly weight.
Why Is It Good For Pregnant Sex?
Spooning encourages lying sideways, allowing your partner to keep most of his weight off the uterus. Lying on the left side specifically improves blood flow and oxygen transfer to the placenta, which helps maintain a healthy pregnancy. [4]
It’s one of the best sex positions for pregnancy because it doesn’t require much physical exertion. It might be the best option in the first trimester when the tiredness kicks in and in the third trimester when the bump is a lot to carry, but it’s safe to try in the second trimester, too, if that’s what you fancy.
3. Cowgirl
Pregnancy isn’t all sunshine and roses, and it shouldn’t be. You’re making a little human, after all. But it doesn’t mean you can’t feel sexy and powerful. Cowgirl is just the sex position you need to feel confident and in control.
How To Do It?
- Have your partner lie on his back and position yourself over his pelvis.
- While holding his penis in one hand and using the other hand to steady yourself, slowly slide into the position.
- Lean slightly forward for better balance.
- Cowgirl is also great for the pregnant partner to receive oral sex; move onto your partner’s face for a bit of foreplay.
Why Is It Good For Pregnant Sex?
Being in charge is a confidence boost for the pregnant person and allows you to control the penetration. When you’re pregnant, your body goes through changes, such as cervix softening, that might make deep penetration unpleasant. [5]
In this pregnancy sex position, you can set the pace and control the depth of strokes, making sure your cervix isn’t being hit hard.
4. Reverse Cowgirl
Pregnant sex is as much about safety as they are about pleasure. So, revive your sex life and spice things up with reverse cowgirl variation. It’s similar to the cowgirl position but has a twist that gives you an even more pleasurable experience.
How To Do It?
- Have your partner lay on his back and take a position on top, facing away from him.
- Place your hands on the bed or your partner’s legs to support yourself while leaning forward.
- Just like the cowgirl position, use your leg muscles to move up and down while touching the clitoris at the same time for increased sexual satisfaction.
Why Is It Good For Pregnant Sex?
The reverse cowgirl is a great option because it allows you to control the depth and the speed, avoiding unnecessary pain. During pregnancy, you’re the only one who can understand all the physical side effects associated with hormonal changes. Despite the safety, pregnant sex positions might often be a hit or miss. Your partner might get carried away and grab you a bit too hard. With cowgirl, you can control all the sensations.
For the same reasons, reverse cowgirl is your best bet if you’re in your first trimester and experience bladder fuller than usual. Controlling the angle and speed helps your bladder agitation and kills the mood.
5. Standing Against A Wall
What can be hotter than being pushed against the wall in a surge of desire? Unfortunately, moms-to-be must tone down their passion and settle for a more tame version to protect their bump. However, this sex position is still far from boring: standing sexual positions open up a possibility of sensual roleplay involving touching, kissing, and a lot of fun.
How To Do It?
- The partner stands behind you while you’re facing the wall.
- Keep your legs spread to find balance.
- Most people find it comfortable to rest their hands on the wall while slightly bending over.
- Standing sex is excellent for exploring other types of sexual intercourse. For example, you can lean on the wall and make your partner give you oral sex, use sex toys, or have a go at anal play.
Why Is It Good For Pregnant Sex?
Even though this is a rear entry sex position, the standing part makes it easy to control the penetration depth. However, standing for an extended period might be a bit uncomfortable when you’re in your third trimester and your bump weighs a lot, so try it out before then.
Most importantly, this sex position keeps your belly out of the way. As long as your hands are placed firmly against the wall and your balance is on point, you can forget the pregnancy and give in to the pleasure.
6. Tabletop
Among all pregnant sex positions, this one wins for the sexiest one. Table sex is zero effort and maximum pleasure. If the possibility of prolonged eye contact doesn’t sell it, easy access to the clitoris should.
How To Do It?
- Start by lying on the edge of the bed or a table, which should be at your partner’s hip height.
- Your partner can position you and support your body with their hands.
- Try to rest on your forearms to avoid lying on your back.
- From here, you can either have your partner give you oral sex or relax and enjoy the ride.
Why Is It Good For Pregnant Sex?
Sometimes, emotional closeness is what we want out of sex during pregnancy, and this position certainly does the trick. There’s nothing more intimate than staring into your partner’s eyes while lovemaking.
More importantly, table sex is perfect for pregnant people because your belly doesn’t come in contact with your partner.
It can be especially convenient in your first trimester when you battle morning sickness and most sex positions are too exhausting. On the other hand, try to avoid it in your second and third trimesters, as lying on your back might cause dizziness and fainting. [6]
7. The Scissor
Scissor is the holy grail of vaginal sex, and this intimate position allows for gentle and deeper penetration while maintaining eye contact. If you’re a fan of non-penetrative sex, you can also achieve orgasm by rubbing your genitals against your partner’s.
How To Do It?
- Sit on the bed and lean back, propping yourself on your forearms.
- Have your partner sit before you, then rest your legs over his hip.
- Alternatively, ask your partner to grab your legs to help you position yourself.
- And don’t forget the foreplay. Have your partner sit by your side and give mutual masturbation a try.
Why Is It Good For Pregnant Sex?
The Scissor is one of the safest sex positions during pregnancy. It prevents deeper penetration and keeps your belly out of the way, allowing you to focus on pampering yourself with clitoral stimulation, which is easy to access in this position. In addition, since your blood flow is increased as your pregnancy progresses, prepare to experience heightened sensations you haven’t felt before.
Additionally, moving your body against your partner’s might help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which weaken during pregnancy. [7] That’s one way to combine pleasure and exercise.
8. Side-by-side
Side-by-side is a good sex position for pregnant women as it allows for maximum physical closeness. It’s just what you need to bond with your partner after a stressful day.
How To Do It?
- This pregnancy sex position is similar to spooning, except you and your partner face each other. Start by lying down on your side and place your legs over his hips so your bodies create a V-shape.
- Alternatively, your partner can put his legs under your legs if it’s more comfortable.
Why Is It Good For Pregnant Sex?
Having intimate sex is the perfect way to destress and strengthen the bond with your partner to welcome a new family member into a relaxed and loving environment. Good support from your partner translates into lower maternal distress and improved infant well-being. [8]
Like with the other positions, side-by-side keeps your abdomen out of the way, allowing you to fully enjoy the physical contact.
Additionally, the second variation of this position lets you rub your clitoris against your partner’s leg, which makes for great stimulation. You can keep your baby safe by avoiding abdominal pressure and getting a daily dose of feel-good hormones. So take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy the last quiet moments.
Avoid #1: Missionary
The missionary is a classic that we all rely on from time to time. But when it comes to pregnancy sex, this is one of the sex positions to avoid.
Why Is It Bad For Pregnant Sex?
While the missionary position is harmless in early pregnancy, it can be dangerous in later stages as lying on your back can compress the vena cava, which carries the blood from the lower body to your heart. [9]
For the same reasons, previous studies found sleeping in this position was linked to a higher rate of late stillbirth. [10]
Avoid #2: Prone
Prone is an upgrade to doggy style – the rear entry position provides a perfect angle to hit the G-spot. Unfortunately, it doesn’t belong on the safe pregnancy sex positions list.
Why Is It Bad For Pregnant Sex?
This position is off-limits due to practical reasons. As the belly grows and your breasts become tender, it will be too uncomfortable to lie on your stomach.
References:
[1] https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Iwona-Szymusik/publication/299072479_Sexual_activity_during_Pregnancy/links/5713c26608aeebe07c0639ab/Sexual-activity-during-Pregnancy.pdf[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1521693413001326
[3] https://fac.ksu.edu.sa/sites/default/files/hall_textbook_of_medical_physiology.pdf
[4] https://www.webmd.com/baby/positioning-while-sleeping
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2880223/
[6] https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/dizziness-in-pregnancy#outlook
[7] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/nau.22728
[8] https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2012-14341-005
[9] https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/ajpheart.1989.256.4.H1060
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5474014/#CR1
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