We believe some readers are knowingly nodding their heads. Sex during pregnancy is distinctive for all couples, for sure. But numerous of them need to create some settlements throughout this time.
Modifications
Let’s consider for a while the first trimester. Bodies of women are becoming habitual to pregnancy. They might be very weak to have sex, feel exhausted and nauseated, or have tenderness of the breasts that cause physical closeness to become painful. Fear of causing any damage to the fetus or having a miscarriage can give rise to the couple’s anxiety.
The circumstances usually change in the second trimester, during which couples might have more sex. Females may observe that their sickness subsides that makes their libido increase. Vagina’s natural lubrication might improve, also.
The frequency of sex usually declines through the third trimester. During this period, couples might require to work out different sex positions, like “side by side” or “woman on top”. Others concentrate their affection on different activities that please them, such as kissing, cuddling, and massage.
Understand that the mentioned descriptions are a representation of what several couples go through, but your condition may differ. Additionally, some common health problems, including backache, cramps, and constipation can transform a woman’s sexual function during her pregnancy.
From the scientific point of view
The Journal of Sexual Medicine issued a report in October 2013, by Turkish researchers who examined the sexual function in pregnant women. For this research, they selected 306 women at different phases of pregnancy. The women filled a questionnaire/survey named the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). It basically assessed six major areas of women’s sexual function, that comprise arousal, desire, lubrication, satisfaction, orgasm, and pain. Lesser scores signified poorer sexual function.
The researchers found out that sexual problems happened to be prevalent in this group:
- 89% faced sexual desire disorders
- 87% had problems becoming aroused
- 43% experienced difficulties relating vaginal lubrication
- 70% had difficulty with orgasm
- 48% weren’t happy with their intimate activity
Physical aspects can be considered for multiple of these problems. But the investigators observed some social circumstances as well.
For instance, women with limited education and low financial status were more likely to have lesser FSFI scores. Women who had been wedded for more than ten years were likewise more inclined towards having problems, so were women who in arranged marriages.
It’s essential to recognize that the outcomes of this investigation refer to a confined group of women who were Turkish and does not apply to all women. However, it provides us a significant picture of the cultural features that may influence sex during pregnancy.
For instance, low financial status can conflict with a couple’s sexual relationship through pregnancy. Tension over the expense of caring for a newborn, food, healthcare, diapers, and housing can place stress on a couple’s bond and, eventually, their sex lives.
Guidance for Couples
What can be done by couples to overcome these problems? Here are some opinions:
- Expect to create changes. Speak up about the way your sexual relationship may alter. Communicate with each other and stay open-minded. For instance, if a specific position is difficult or painful, propose another one.
- Take a good interest in your relationship. Anxiety and exhaustion commonly happen at this time. Seek new ways to rest and have enjoyment. Hire a babysitter to take supervision of maturer children. That way you can get a chance to have a date night. Or bring out time to speak about your goals and hopes for the future and be open about your sexual problems.
- Don’t feel hesitant to seek out help. This can involve asking a buddy to help with the house chores or asking a family member to cook some meals. Usually, family, friends, and neighbors mean to assist but are not certain how. Go forward and tell them! This can be seeing a therapist or counselor too. Pregnancy can place stress on the most excellent of relations and exploring help from an expert third party can assist couples to keep everything in perspective. Additionally, some women undergo severe depression through pregnancy and the postpartum phase. It’s essential to avail of help.
Be convinced to communicate with your doctor. Your doctor can solve all your mysteries about pregnancy, involving sexual problems too. Don’t be ashamed. Your doctor can further recommend steps to make better the sex during pregnancy and suggest to you the other professionals that can support, such as a therapist, if the need arises.
Harbor Compounding California 