What changes are expected with sexual activity during pregnancy?

Sexual practices may not have to change during pregnancy. However, because of the different changes that occur in your body, you may want to make some changes to make things more comfortable. Here is some information to consider when thinking about sex during pregnancy:

• Exhaustion, hormonal fluctuations, tender breasts and self-consciousness about weight gain can bring your sex drive to a halt. Sometimes you may need rest to regain energy - give yourself a break.
• The common missionary position may become uncomfortable and warrant considering other positions such as side by side or with you on top.
• As your breasts increase in size, they may become more tender or sore. Encourage your partner to explore other parts of your body and to find other ways to caress you. With the changes in your breast it is best to avoid direct nipple stimulation.
• There is increased blood flow to the pelvic area that can lead to engorgement of the genitals and heighten the sensation; however, for some women this can be more uncomfortable.

Unless your health care provider tells you otherwise, you and your partner should be able to enjoy sex during your pregnancy. Pay attention to your body and make adjustments so that you can enjoy the experience to the fullest.

Health Risks to Baby

In order to have a health baby, t is important that pregnant teenage girls learn about proper eating habits. Teenage girls who are pregnant are less likely to gain adequate weight during their pregnancies as compared to adult women. Inadequate weight gain during pregnancy can cause the baby to have a low birth weight and health disorders. Low birth weight babies are also more susceptible to having problems with their organs due to underdevelopment.

After Child Birth

There is no set rule for this, although MEDICALLY, it is safe to resume sex six weeks after delivery. However, one needs to take into consideration vaginal tenderness, and whether sex would be mutually satisfying and pleasurable.All in all, one needs to consider how the new mother is feeling. There are too many influences and emotions to take into consideration. Be patient, and loving. Try and give your wife a break, some time to herself, to relax and exercise.

During Pregnancy:

It is safe to have sex throughout pregnancy, as long as, there are no other issues, such as vaginal bleeding or any other complications. If there are any, or you suspect that there may be, you should contact your doctor or midwife immediately. As pregnancy progresses couples may have to experiment with positions which will maximize the woman's comfort, and allow her to control the amount of penetration. If she is experiencing any discomfort the use of a lubricant might be helpful.

Pregnancy symptoms Ten signs you might be pregnant

1. Tender, swollen breasts:
One of the early signs of pregnancy is sensitive, sore breasts caused by increasing levels of hormones. The soreness may feel like an exaggerated version of how your breasts feel before your period. Your discomfort should diminish significantly after the first trimester, as your body adjusts to the hormonal changes.

2. Fatigue:
Feeling tired all of a sudden? No, make that exhausted. No one knows for sure what causes early pregnancy fatigue, but it's possible that rapidly increasing levels of the hormone progesterone are contributing to your sleepiness.You should start to feel more energetic once you hit your second trimester, although fatigue usually returns late in pregnancy when you're carrying around a lot more weight and some of the common discomforts of pregnancy make it more difficult to get a good night's sleep.

3. Implantation bleeding:
Some women have a small amount of vaginal bleeding around 11 or 12 days after conception (close to the time you might notice a missed period). The bleeding may be caused by the fertilized egg burrowing into the blood-rich lining of your uterus — a process that starts just six days after fertilization — but no one knows for sure.The bleeding is very light (appearing as red spotting or pink or reddish-brown staining) and lasts only a day or two. (Let your practitioner know if you notice any bleeding or spotting, particularly if it's accompanied by pain, since this can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.)

4. Nausea or vomiting:
If you're like most women, morning sickness won't hit until about a month after conception. (A lucky few escape it altogether.) But some women do start to feel queasy a bit earlier. And not just in the morning, either — pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting can be a problem morning, noon, or night.About half of women with nausea feel complete relief by the beginning of the second trimester. For most others it takes another month or so for the queasiness to ease up.

5. Increased sensitivity to odors:
If you're newly pregnant, it's not uncommon to feel repelled by the smell of a bologna sandwich or cup of coffee and for certain aromas to trigger your gag reflex. Though no one knows for sure, this may be a side effect of rapidly increasing amounts of estrogen in your system. You may also find that certain foods you used to enjoy are suddenly completely repulsive to you.

6. Abdominal bloating:
Hormonal changes in early pregnancy may leave you feeling bloated, similar to the feeling some women have just before their period arrives. That's why your clothes may feel snugger than usual at the waistline, even early on when your uterus is still quite small.

7. Frequent urination:
Shortly after you become pregnant, you may find yourself hurrying to the bathroom all the time. Why? Mostly because during pregnancy the amount of blood and other fluids in your body increases, which leads to extra fluid being processed by your kidneys and ending up in your bladder.This symptom may start as early as six weeks into your first trimester and continue or worsen as your pregnancy progresses and your growing baby exerts more pressure on your bladder.

8. A missed period:
If you're usually pretty regular and your period doesn't arrive on time, you'll probably take a pregnancy test long before you notice any of the above symptoms. But if you're not regular or you're not keeping track of your cycle, nausea and breast tenderness and extra trips to the bathroom may signal pregnancy before you realize you didn't get your period.

9. Your basal body temperature stays high:
If you've been charting your basal body temperature and you see that your temperature has stayed elevated for 18 days in a row, you're probably pregnant.And finally...

10. The proof:
A positive home pregnancy testIn spite of what you might read on the box, many home pregnancy tests are not sensitive enough to detect most pregnancies until about a week after a missed period. So if you decide to take one earlier than that and get a negative result, try again in a few days.

Benefits of Breast-Feeding

Science has proved that breast-fed babies have a healthier start in life. Human milk contains a balance of nutrients that closely matches infant requirements for brain development, growth and a healthy immune system. Human milk also contains immunologic agents and other compounds that act against viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Since an infant's immune system is not fully developed until age 2, human milk provides a distinct advantage over formula.
Because breast milk provides protection against germs that a baby or mother may carry, studies in infant feeding have found lower rates of several chronic childhood diseases, including respiratory infections and ear infections, as well as symptoms such as diarrhea, among children who were breast-fed.

Research also suggests that breast-fed infants gain less weight and tend to be leaner at 1 year of age than formula-fed infants. This early indicator may influence later growth patterns, resulting in fewer overweight and obese children.

But infants aren't the only ones who benefit from breast-feeding. Mothers, too, are the recipients of many positive hormonal and physical effects. Breast-feeding releases a hormone in a woman's body that causes her uterus to return to its normal size and shape more quickly and reduces blood loss after delivery. In addition, according to the Blueprint, studies have shown that breast-feeding for longer periods of time (up to 2 years) and among younger mothers may reduce the risk of premenopausal and possibly postmenopausal breast cancer. Also, the risk of ovarian cancer may be lower among women who have breast-fed their children.
Haynes says intriguing new developments indicate that breast milk may even have another role in the battle against cancer. In particular, breast-feeding may reduce the risk of childhood cancer.

Researchers have identified a protein in human milk--human alpha-lactalbumin made lethal to tumors (HAMLET)--that induces apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in which cells, responding to environmental signals, self-destruct. Apoptosis, a relatively new study in biology, is the natural mechanism the body uses to recycle material that is not needed for functioning. When apoptosis is initiated, the cell's genetic material becomes shredded so that the cell cannot replicate itself. With cancer cells, apoptosis is inhibited, allowing rapid growth of dysfunctional cells. Haynes says that the isolation of HAMLET as a trigger for apoptosis in cancer cells could give further weight to evidence linking breast milk to reduced incidences of some cancers.
From a budget standpoint, breast-feeding can save a family hundreds of dollars a year, even with the added cost of breast pumps, devices regulated by the Food and Drug Administration that allow mothers to express milk when they are away from their babies or when they want to save extra milk to be given to the baby at other times. According to the Blueprint, breast-feeding also saves money for insurers and employers by cutting down on doctor visits and sick days

Chemicals

Exposures to environmental chemicals, such as DDT, dioxin, and methyl mercury
Hepatitis C
Illicit drug use, such as amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana
Implants and breast surgery
Metabolic disorders such as galactosemia, a condition in which the infant cannot metabolize lactose, a sugar found in all mammalian milk
Tobacco and alcohol use, since alcohol and nicotine are present in breast milk. However, for women who cannot or will not stop smoking, breast-feeding is still advised, since the benefits of breast milk outweigh the risks from nicotine exposure

Breast Feeding

Despite the benefits, not every mother is able to breast-feed or chooses to do so. In rare cases, a mother's health may prevent her from breast-feeding. Women who test positive for HIV and AIDS or who have human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) should not breast-feed or provide their breast milk for the nutrition of their own or other infants because of the risk of transmission to the child.
Under certain conditions, a case-by-case assessment should be made about whether or not breast-feeding is advisable or should be temporarily stopped. According to the Blueprint, some of these conditions include:

Special Concerns

There are instances when sex may be restricted. In the case of a high risk pregnancy, sexual intercourse may be limited at certain times. Sexual intercourse may also be restricted if the mother has unexplained bleeding, history of miscarriages, history of premature labors, if twins are being carried, or if the mother has placenta previa.
It is important to discuss with your doctor what is safe and what is unsafe. Many times sexual intercourse may be allowed if the woman does not orgasm. You should know exactly what your doctor is instructing–whether it is abstaining from sexual intercourse, orgasm or both

Fear of Sex

Many expectant couples have fears that sexual intercourse will hurt the baby, or the expectant mother. Many couples fear that orgasm will stimulate early labor or even a miscarriage. In a normal pregnancy, sexual intercourse will not hurt the mother or the fetus. Likewise, having an orgasm in a normal pregnancy will not hurt the baby or bring on labor or miscarriage. Some studies even report that couples who stay sexually active during their pregnancy may actually lower the chances of premature labor.

Sex and Pregnancy

Sexual relations undergo a form of “change” during the nine months of pregnancy. This does not mean that sex will be less enjoyable or that is should be avoided. In fact, many couples report that their sexual appetites increased during the nine months of pregnancy.
It is important to note that the sexual practices of couples vary. While one couple may think that sexual intercourse once or twice a week is a drop in sexual relations, another couple may feel that is an improvement. One couple may engage in sexual intercourse every few days, while another couple may only have sex a couple of times each month. The frequency of sex is a private matter between adults.
It is normal for the libido of a pregnant woman to wane during the first and last months of pregnancy. During the first weeks of pregnancy a woman may be experiencing nausea, painful breasts and fatigue. The last month of pregnancy may bring about aches and pains in the back and abdomen as well as a general feeling of fatigue.

Keep a Record of your Pregnancy!

Pregnancy and childbirth are certainly milestones within a woman’s life. Unfortunately, many women forget the emotions attached to this important transformation. Keeping a pregnancy journal is an excellent way to remember those moments, good and bad, that heralded the birth of your child. It’s also a good way to work out your feelings and allot some necessary "alone" time. If you want to share this special time with all your friends and family, then consider starting an online pregnancy journal.

Do Your Kegels!

During pregnancy, the growing uterus places pressure on the bladder, making it easy to leak. To help prevent these leaks, you’ll want to strengthen your pelvic floor by practicing Kegels. To find those muscles, simple tighten the muscles of the vagina as if trying to interrupt the flow of pee. To stop anal leakage, tighten those muscles as you would while preventing the escape of gas. Hold those muscles for a count of five, then release. The good news is that you can practice these anyway. The even better news is that practicing Kegels will help tighten your vagina after birth.

Keywords/TAGS

Pregnant miscarriage, ovulation, third trimester, pregnant woman, first trimester, pregnant women, second trimester, conception, childbirth, morning sickness, prenatal birth, maternity, trimester, when pregnant, prenatal care, being pregnant, fetus, having a baby, exercise pregnant for pregnant women pregnancy preconception getting pregnant how to get pregnant while pregnant conceive conceiving expecting am I pregnant parenting week antenatal trying to conceive breastfeeding weight gain get pregnant doula fertility abortion diet ultrasound nutrition babies.

Is it Possible toh get pregnant?

Absolutely yes! Women have been known to get pregnant at all times in their cycle, and it's best to assume that no time is safe. I do not recommend your having sex, but if you do, the best protection is to wear a condom. In fact, and it's a big fact, and more important than the possibility of pregnancy, it's best to wear one every single time in order to reduce the risk of contracting AIDS. And that can kill you.

Feeling Sexy During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is known as being a time of elated joy in a woman's life. Even though she might experience some mood swings because of the changes in her hormones, on the whole, pregnant women are happy. And for the most part, this idyllic picture is correct. However, for an estimated 10% to 20% of pregnant women, their perfect time is overshadowed by depression.

Almost every couple finds that their sexual relationship changes during pregnancy, a wonman's desire can fluctuate and she can feel uncomfortable with her body towards the end of her term. Feeling Sexy During Pregnancy will give you some tips on how to feel like the hot momma you are. Some women, however, find that their sex drive has gone through the roof

What changes are expected with sexual activity during pregnancy?

Sexual practices may not have to change during pregnancy. However, because of the different changes that occur in your body, you may want to make some changes to make things more comfortable. There are some information to consider when thinking about sex during pregnancy

When is sex during pregnancy NOT safe

Sex is safe during pregnancy unless your health care provider has indicated that you have a high risk pregnancy. Although there are few reasons to avoid sex during pregnancy, there are some situations when your health care provider may indicate that sex should be avoided. The best protection is to wear a condom.

When is sex during pregnancy NOT safe

Sex is safe during pregnancy unless your health care provider has indicated that you have a high risk pregnancy. Although there are few reasons to avoid sex during pregnancy, there are some situations when your health care provider may indicate that sex should be avoided. The best protection is to wear a condom.