4 Consequences Of Not Having Sex During Pregnancy

Expecting an addition to your family can be exciting and daunting at the same time. It’s normal to put a hold on a lot of activities for the safety of mother and baby but sexual intercourse shouldn’t be one of such things to avoid. 

Having sex during pregnancy can be safe and ultimately beneficial for you and your partner. Let’s delve deep into the consequences of not having sex during pregnancy and answer some common questions around it.

Key points

• Sex during pregnancy is normal and healthy.
• Consequences of not having sex during pregnancy are stress build-up, prolonged labour and recovery time, lack of self-confidence, less communication and emotional bonding with your partner.
• When you have sex during pregnancy, you may experience some spotting when you orgasm.
• Consult a Doctor if you feel unusual pain, excessive bleeding, discharge or a harsh cramp that does not go away after a few minutes.

Any healthy pregnant woman without complications can have sex as it increases emotional connection with your partner, reduces stress and anxiety, increases calorie shedding, and boosts mental clarity. 

Nevertheless, it is good to express your feelings throughout the process to make sure you have a great experience with your partner. The hormonal fluctuations may affect your mood and can ruin your session, but talking about them can help a lot.

Consequences of Not Having Sex During Pregnancy

Expecting parents might be concerned about the negative impacts of having sex during pregnancy. It’s important to note that having sex during pregnancy does not in any way cause miscarriage or premature labour. The amniotic fluid, uterine muscles, and mucus plug shield your baby when you move or have sex during pregnancy. 

But, are there consequences of not having sex during pregnancy?

Yes, there are. Some of these consequences include:

1. Stress build-up

One of the consequences of not having sex during pregnancy is lack of relief from stress. Good orgasms are experienced by many women during pregnancy. Orgasms are linked to the release of endorphins and oxytocin which are stress reduction hormones.

These feel-good neurochemical hormones are connected to increased psychological well-being for pregnant women who are experiencing stress and anxiety during pregnancy.

You may not benefit from the therapeutic effects from these hormones to buffer stress if you do not have sex during pregnancy.

2. Prolonged labour and recovery time

There is a tendency to experience prolonged labour and postpartum recovery when you do not have sex during pregnancy. The contractions from orgasms are involuntary and they play an important role in intense pleasure that is linked with reaching sexual peak. 

When you orgasm, your pelvic muscles are contracted and thus strengthened. This, in turn, eases labour pains and improves bladder control to prevent bladder leaks after childbirth. You may also not have a quick postpartum recovery if your pelvic muscles are not stronger. 

Not having sex during pregnancy may distort your ability to handle the enormous uterine contractions during labour. Labour comes with potent uterine contractions to help childbirth.

However, strengthened pelvic muscles as an outcome of regular orgasms could aid natural uterine contractions, hence reducing the duration of labour. 

In case of vaginal delivery, there will be pressure in your pelvic floor muscles, which may be weakened or stretched and will need a strengthened muscle to quicken the recovery to your pre-pregnancy pelvic health. Well-toned pelvic muscles are enhanced through having regular sex during pregnancy. 

3. Lack of self-confidence

Having less confidence is one of the consequences of not having sex during pregnancy. You will likely experience low self-esteem if you do not have sex during pregnancy. 

Many pregnant women may feel unattractive due to the changes that happen with fluctuating hormones like breast enlargement, weight gain, and changes in skin tone. These changes can make you feel self-doubt and lower self-esteem. 

When you engage in sex during pregnancy, the feeling of being ‘desired’ can help you boost the emotional connection, build up your self-confidence, and make you feel attractive and empowered. Your partner may not have the avenue to help you feel desirable if you do not indulge in regular sex during pregnancy. 

4. Less communication and emotional bond

When you have sex during pregnancy with your partner the intimacy you created will open up a communication channel that will help you to talk about your anxieties, fears, and pregnancy expectations. When there is little or no sex during pregnancy, you will encounter less communication and anxiety.

Not having sex during pregnancy can result in unsatisfied emotional bonding with your partner. Your pregnancy journal should be one of your lifetime experiences that you can create with your partner by building mutual support, emotional well-being, and bonding. These are easily achieved through regular sex during pregnancy. 

When to Talk to a Doctor 

When you have sex during pregnancy, you may experience some spotting when you orgasm. This is due to increased blood flow to your vagina, which causes a sensitive cervix and engorges the mouth of your uterus. You should not be alarmed when you experience spotting during sex. 

To ensure that your baby is safe, speak with your healthcare professional, especially, if you feel some unusual pain, excessive bleeding, discharge or a harsh cramp that does not go away after a few minutes.

How Telemedicine Can Help

Pregnancy is a journey that brings joy and its fair share of anxiety and concerns. You don’t have to go through this phase alone. KompleteCare telemedicine platform ensures that you have easy and faster access to qualified Gynaecologists from the comfort of your home.

With KompleteCare, you can talk to a doctor within minutes, using your home from wherever you are. You will get expert advice on ways to optimize your sex life while pregnant as well as other activities that are healthy for you and your bundle of joy. 

Conclusion

Having sex during pregnancy is safe for you as your womb, pelvic muscles, and amniotic fluids protect your baby from harm while having sex.

Sex during pregnancy increases emotional connections with your partner, reduces stress and anxiety, increases calorie shedding, and boosts mental clarity.

When you do not have sex during pregnancy, it can cause stress build-up, less self-confidence, prolonged labour and recovery time, and limited communication and emotional bonding with your partner.

If you are concerned about having sex during pregnancy, speak with a healthcare professional. You may be asked not to have sex during pregnancy if you experience pain, excessive bleeding, discharge or harsh cramp, your water has broken or your cervix is dilating too early.

People Also Ask Questions

1. How long should a pregnant woman stay without sex?

Having sex during pregnancy is safe and you can enjoy the pleasure during the entire nine months of expecting your baby. Nevertheless, you will need to avoid sex if you feel severe pain, bleeding, or leak fluid. If you experience any of these discomforts, consult with a doctor right away to get help. 

2. Can sex be painful during pregnancy?

You may experience a slight pain while having sex during pregnancy. This may be caused by enlarged veins from the pregnancy hormones and an increase in blood flow.  The enlarged vein around your pelvis and on your vulva in the second trimester could cause painful sex as well.

3. How do you deal with lack of intimacy during pregnancy?

Intimacy during pregnancy is necessary. However, if you do not feel like achieving intimacy through having sex, that is okay. You can consider kissing, cuddling, touching, or even oral sex, which can serve as intimacy.

4. Why don’t guys want sex during pregnancy? 

Some men may feel less desire for sex during pregnancy due to concerns about harming the baby, causing discomfort to their partner, or adjusting to her changing body. Psychological factors like stress about impending fatherhood, cultural or religious taboos, or seeing their partner in a maternal rather than sexual light can also play a role. 

Additionally, if the pregnant partner experiences mood swings, fatigue, or physical discomfort, men might avoid initiating sex out of consideration. Open communication and reassurance from both partners, along with guidance from a doctor, can help address these concerns and maintain intimacy during pregnancy.

5. What positions should be avoided during pregnancy?

Sex positions to avoid during pregnancy include styles that require you to lie on your belly, stay too long in a particular position, twist your waist, cross your legs, use a chair without a backrest, or sit on a chair without leg support.

6. Where does sperm go when pregnant?

You should not worry about the sperm when you have sex during pregnancy, because sperm is considered to be safe for you and your baby. A special protein called HLA-G (prostaglandins) in your partner’s sperm can help in the dilation of the cervix. Also, the sperm will be discharged from the vagina. 

7. Can I get pregnant while pregnant?

The case of getting pregnant while you are already pregnant (superfetation) is an uncommon condition. Once an embryo is developed, your body will often have a mechanism to prevent any subsequent pregnancies from occurring at the same time.

8. How often should a pregnant woman have sex?

You can enjoy oral or vaginal sex during pregnancy as much as you like. You may check with your doctor if you have conditions like cervical changes, vaginal bleeding or discharge, genital herpes, or premature labour.

Reference

Perry, C. (2022). 10 reasons to keep having sex while you’re pregnant.

Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Superfetation: Twins, Causes, Diagnosis, Risks & Delivery

Britannica. (2024). Prostaglandin | Definition, Function, Synthesis, & Facts

Reproductive Fertility. (2023). 4 benefits of having sex while pregnant.