Sex During Pregnancy: Everything You Need to Know

Pregnancy brings about numerous physical, hormonal and psychological changes, all of which can impact a couple’s sex life. Whilst sex during pregnancy continues to be a taboo subject, filled with misguided beliefs, scientific studies indicate that it’s a significant factor in future parents’ relational and sexual health and wellbeing.

Many couples are afraid that having sex may hurt the baby, which partially explains why people have less sex during pregnancy. The foetus, however, is well protected by the uterus, and during a normal pregnancy, sexual intercourse doesn’t present any dangers. Nevertheless, this may be a great time to explore other forms of intimacy, where tenderness, cuddling and adapting positions and rhythms take precedence over performance, thus keeping relational and sexual satisfaction intact.

In general, pregnancy leads to a gradual decrease in the frequency of sexual activity, as well as a modified relationship to desire. Pregnant women report a 58.3% reduction of sexual relations in the first trimester, 66% in the second trimester and 76.5% in the third trimester (Corbaciogl​u Esmer et al., 2013).​ What’s more, the majority of women reported having sex 1 to 2 times a week before conceiving, compared to 1 to 3 times a moth after falling pregnant (Staruch, et al., 2016). Most couples adapt their sexual practices from trimester to trimester (Serati et al., 2010​ ; von Sydow, 1999​ ; Kulhawik et al.,​ 2022). The frequency of vaginal sex passes from 100% before pregnancy to 86% during pregnancy, as for oral sex (44.3% compared to 29.5%) and anal (12% compared to 5.4%) (Sta​ruch et al., 2016).

Many women report experiencing diminished desire in the first trimester. This sudden decline is often due to fatigue, nausea, vomiting, breast pain, but also anxiety around pregnancy and the health of the foetus (von Sydow 1999 ; Pauleta et al., 2010 ; Kulhawik et al., 2022). In one study, the main reasons for a reduction in sexual activity are decreased libido (35.5%) and fear for the future child’s health (29%) (Sta​ruch, et al., 2016). These factors can provoke a temporary decline in frequency of sexual encounters.

The second trimester is often described as the most favourable when it comes to sex. A reduction in early pregnancy symptoms and improved psychological adjustment may help to restore sexual desire and activity to some extent (Pauleta et al., 2010 ; Serati et al., 2010 ; Kulhawik et al., 2022).

A decline in the frequency of sexual relations is once again observed in the third trimester for one in two women (Pauleta et al., 2010). This is mainly linked to the expansion of the stomach area, physical discomfort, back and pelvic pain and worries about early onset labour (von Sydow, 1999 ; Serati et al., 2010 ; Kulhawik et al., 2022). Changes in arousal, lubrication and orgasm are particularly pronounced in first-time mothers (Gałązka et al., 2015).

In men, although sexual relations are less frequent, the decline of sexual desire concerns around one third of male partners. This suggests that reduced sexual activity is more often linked to psychological factors or fears surrounding pregnancy rather than an intrinsic lack of desire (Naki Rado et al., 2015).

Physical, emotional and hormonal changes linked to pregnancy may trigger temporary sexual disorders. The most common difficulties reported are a drop in desire, problems with arousal, decreased lubrication, pain during sex (dyspareunia) and difficulty reaching orgasm. The prevalence of sexual disorders increases in the third trimester, due to physical discomfort and anxiety surrounding the upcoming birth (von Sydow, 1999).

For future fathers, symptoms of anxiety may occur during their partner’s pregnancy, with their worries concentrated on the baby’s safety, their future role as a father and changes to their relationship due to becoming parents (​Dabb et al., 2023). 80% of men say that they fear sexual intercourse will damage the baby’s health (Nakić ​Rad​oš et al., 2015). However, the presence of these difficulties doesn’t necessarily imply a global decrease in sexual satisfaction, especially for partners who communicate and adapt their sexual practices accordingly (Kračun et al., 2019).​ These problems tend to be passing and evolve from trimester to trimester (Serati et al., 2010).

Several studies indicate that sexual satisfaction during pregnancy depends on various relational and psychological factors and not the frequency with which people have sexual intercourse (Kračun et al., 2019 ; Branecka-Woźniak et al., 2020). In one study, 54% of pregnant women claimed to be less satisfied by their sex life compared to that pre-pregnancy (Staruch et al., 2016). Body image plays a vital role in this. From woman to woman, the physical transformations brought about by pregnancy may be a positive or negative experience, thus having an impact on desire and sexual satisfaction (Branecka-Woźniak et al., 2020). 43.5% of women state that they feel less attractive during pregnancy (Staruch et al., 2016).

What’s more, attitudes and beliefs around sexuality during pregnancy have a significant impact on how people experience their intimate life. Couples who see sexuality as something compatible with pregnancy and communicate openly about their expectations and worries generally report higher levels of sexual and marital satisfaction (Tavares et al., 2022). Thus, women who report a satisfying romantic relationship and significant emotional support from their partner also report greater sexual satisfaction during pregnancy (Kračun et al., 2019).

Sex during pregnancy can be beneficial for couples in many ways. Physical intimacy can contribute to maintaining emotional proximity and spousal harmony during such an important transition period (Johnson, 2011). Emotional exchanges and communicating about sex also reinforces feelings of mutual support between partners. For example, one study suggests that maintaining a satisfying sex life during pregnancy is linked to better psychological and relational well-being, particularly when partners have access to reliable information about sex during pregnancy (Fitzpatrick et al., 2023).

Current data indicates that the frequency of sexual intercourse is not associated with a significant increase in obstetric complications in normal or low-risk pregnancies (Caro & Fast, 2020). What’s more, one study indicates that neither frequency nor the timing of sexual intercourse during pregnancy have any significant negative impact on obstetric or neonatal outcomes when compared to women who didn’t have sexual relations during this period (Kong et al., 2019).

Despite these reassuring results, women and their partners often still worry. One study shows that around half the women fear that sex can provoke premature birth (Barte​llas et al., 2000). What’s more, 38.7% of women and 36.2% of male partners fear that sex interferes with pregnancy (Corbaciogl​u Esmer et al., 2013). If you have any concerns about whether your pregnancy is progressing normally whilst you are having sex, do not hesitate to speak to your doctor, gynaecologist or midwife.

Certain obstetric conditions may warrant temporary restrictions. Clinical guidelines indicate that sexual intercourse may be discouraged in the following cases:

• Placenta previa
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Risk of premature birth
• Premature rupture of the membrane
• Certain genital infections like bacterial vaginosis

However, in low-risk pregnancies, some obstetricians may advise having sexual intercourse towards the end of the pregnancy as a way to induce labour (Atrian et al., 2014 ; Tan et al., 2006). Sexual activity at full-term can help to induce labour (Carbone et al., 2019). For example, stimulating the breasts during sex causes a release of oxytocin, a hormone that’s involved in the occurrence of uterine contractions (Christensson et al., 1989). With this in mind, Salmon et al. (1986) asked first-time mothers to stimulate their breasts for three hours a day over three days. Results showed that 36% of participants experienced spontaneous labour after the first three days, compared to 0 in the control group.

Encouraging sexual intercourse in late pregnancy could therefore represent a non-pharmacological approach that respects the body’s natural processes and may help to promote the spontaneous onset of labour. Such a strategy may help to limit the use of pharmacological methods, such as prostaglandins or oxytocin, which are associated with certain obstetric risks (Achour, 2026). If you have any concerns about the progress of your pregnancy during sexual activity, do not hesitate to discuss this with your doctor, gynaecologist or midwife.

Despite how important sex is for a couple’s well-being, it’s a subject that remains relatively uncommon in prenatal consultations. Numerous studies show that many pregnant women would like to be given more information about sex during pregnancy by health professionals. Thus, for 63.5% of women, the main source of information on sexuality during pregnancy is the internet and other media, whilst medical staff are mentioned by only 30% of them (Staruch et al., 2016). In fact, only 23.8% of women had discussed the subject of sexuality during a medical consultation (Corbacioglu Esmer et al., 2013).

Access to clear, evidence-based information can, however, help to reduce misconceptions and anxieties, and promote a satisfying sex life during pregnancy (Fitzpatrick et al., 2023). Psychotherapeutic or sexological interventions have thus been shown to be effective in improving sexual function and intimacy within the couple during pregnancy (de Aquino et al., 2026; Fathalian et al., 2022).

Sexuality during pregnancy undergoes changes linked to the physiological, psychological and relational shifts associated with this period. Scientific studies generally show a gradual decrease in the frequency of sexual intercourse, and sometimes in desire, accompanied by an adjustment in sexual practices. Sexual satisfaction, however, depends more on relational, emotional and informational factors than on the number of sexual encounters. Communication within the couple, mutual support between partners and access to reliable information play a central role in the sexual well-being of expectant parents. Clear and comprehensive information provided during antenatal care could therefore help to improve the quality of life and the relational and intimate well-being of couples during pregnancy, and even in the postpartum period.