When a woman is dealing with her first pregnancy, she may become concerned with having sex, especially in the third trimester. Luckily, a talk with a healthcare provider or a quick Google search will reassure moms-to-be that sex is perfectly safe throughout a pregnancy as long as there’s not a complication present. For those who are into rough sex, however, there may be some additional worry surrounding forceful play. When nearing the end of your pregnancy, “can you have rough sex in your third trimester?” may be a question that comes to mind. And the answer might surprise you.
According to Mayo Clinic, your baby is protected by amniotic fluid in your uterus, along with the muscles of the uterus itself, so sexual activity won't affect your baby. Additionally, for those worried that rough sex may cause a miscarriage, it might be comforting to know that most miscarriages occur because a fetus isn’t developing correctly and not sexual activity, according to Parenting. It is important, however, to consider the techniques that you’re using during rough sex, and aside from intercourse, be smart about what’s safe for you physically and what’s not.
For example, What To Expect shared that bondage needs to be kept to a minimum during pregnancy, and things like erotic asphyxiation are off-limits when you're expecting. Additionally, you’ll want to take caution tying or cuffing arms and legs since swelling is often prominent. So, it appears the key to rough sex during the third trimester is playing it safe and not crossing boundaries that are questionable.
In a separate interview with Romper, assistant professor of OB-GYN Dr. Stephen Weiss said that spanking, rectal intercourse, and role playing are all perfectly fine to utilize during rough sex in the third trimester. Using non-penis vaginal implements, however, should be avoided unless you want to scrub them clean before and after each use since they put you at higher risk for infection.
In general, rough sex is still safe during the third trimester — it’s just a good idea to err on the side of caution when necessary and be logical about what’s safe. Keep in mind there may be some positions and techniques that aren’t comfortable for your growing belly, and that’s fine too. What’s most important is that you feel comfortable and are getting pleasure from what you’re doing.
