Is it okay to have sex during pregnancy?

Yes! There are some rare reasons for a woman to abstain from sex during pregnancy. These rare cases where the risks may outweigh the benefits include certain cases of preterm labor with advanced cervical dilation; preterm, premature rupture of membranes; or placenta or vasa previa. Also, women who have had a cervical cerclage during pregnancy should probably abstain. Otherwise, have fun!

Most women find sex during pregnancy more satisfying and pleasurable than outside of pregnancy. Sex during pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm labor, or any other complications of pregnancy. Even in cases where penetration may not be the best idea, such as the situations listed above, orgasms during pregnancy are still perfectly fine. If you have a cervical cerclage and don’t need penetration to orgasm, then feel free to have fun!

As your uterus gets bigger during pregnancy, different sexual positions may help both with comfort and satisfaction. If you are having trouble with comfort during sex, ask your doctor about it.