Is It Safe To Have Intercourse During The Third Trimester Of Pregnancy?

Desire for sex will wax and wane throughout your life, but this effect may be especially magnified during your pregnancy. The hormonal and bodily changes send some women into fits of passion, whereas others have a "no thank you, please" attitude toward sex. (And both reactions are completely normal, of course.) The women who want to keep their groove going until the very end may start to have some concerns about the safety of their bedroom activities. With that in mind, is it safe to have intercourse during the third trimester of pregnancy? Because the last thing you want to do is put your baby at any risk this late in the game.

In general, as long as your pregnancy is progressing normally, it is safe to have sex during any trimester. However, there are certain things to keep in mind about the realities of third trimester sex. For instance, you may feel more easily fatigued, and the large belly may present its own challenges, according to WebMD. But if you're still game, then it's a great time to try out some new pregnancy sex positions to accommodate your changing form. If nothing else, you and your partner can enjoy some creative experimentation.

There are some cases in which sex is not recommended. According to New Health Guide, if you are experiencing placenta previa, vaginal bleeding, or cervical insufficiency, then your doctor may recommend against penetrative sex. In addition, women who have a history of miscarriages may be advised to refrain from sex during this time as well, according to Everyday Health. Lastly, it is probably not a good idea to have sex after your water has broken, because that may put you at risk of increased infection. In general, if any of these conditions are concerning, then have a conversation with your OB about your personal risk factors. Your own physician is the best person to determine what, if any, types of sex are advisable at this stage of pregnancy.

Barring any serious health risks, however, sex is usually fine during the third trimester. And if you'd rather pass on it, then that is fine too. Although it may be a little unusual compared to your pre-pregnancy bedroom repertoire, there's probably no harm in a few third trimester romps.