Signs of pregnancy in the first month
There are no signs of pregnancy in the first month; it is not always detected even with the help of special medical procedures. But most women who are attentive to their health quickly notice that they are in an interesting position. First of all, this is a delay in menstruation, which is the main symptom during normal functioning of the body. However, the first month of pregnancy may still be accompanied by menstruation, so relying only on this sign is not entirely correct. There are external signs that are invisible to outsiders, and subtle symptoms, and special sensations that appear immediately after conception and do not disappear until the birth of the baby.
Benefits of having sex during late pregnancy
Whether sex will be beneficial during the last weeks of pregnancy depends on the woman's health. You should definitely talk to your doctor and find out what the restrictions are. Experts do not have a consensus on the usefulness of intimate relationships during this period. Many are ardent opponents, believing that it is very risky. Other doctors, in the absence of contraindications for the expectant mother, advise having sex, as this can have a very positive effect on the woman’s condition.
- During sexual intercourse, the mother releases the hormone of happiness endorphin. It helps improve mood, regulate emotional background and will also have a beneficial effect on the child.
- Due to increased sensitivity, a woman experiences more pleasant sensations.
- During ejaculation, seminal fluid enters the vagina along with sperm, which contains special enzymes and prostaglandins that facilitate easier dilatation of the cervix during childbirth.
- When a woman has sex, her blood circulation increases and due to this, the flow of oxygen to the fetus increases, which reduces the risk of hypoxia.
- At the moment of orgasm, the cervix contracts, which helps prepare for childbirth and can sometimes even speed up its onset.
In the absence of contraindications, sex in the last trimester of pregnancy can be very beneficial
Feelings in the first month of pregnancy
The sperm has already united with the egg and the still microscopic embryo has begun its life. In the first week after conception, the fertilized egg will move deeper into the uterus, but this will not appear externally. The woman will not have any special sensations, because the first month of pregnancy looks exactly the same as dozens of previous ones. Only after the embryo is attached and the placenta is formed will you experience the first, not always pleasant, sensations. But don’t be afraid; most of them will disappear in the second trimester.
Condition and sensations of a woman in the third trimester of pregnancy
Of course, in the last weeks of pregnancy it becomes especially difficult for the expectant mother. Swelling is often tormented; heavy weight prevents full movement. It becomes difficult to even tie your own shoelaces due to your protruding belly. The woman becomes clumsy and often feels nagging pain in the lower abdomen. Particularly alarming are attacks of false contractions. However, despite all the difficulties, a girl can feel a very strong sexual desire. This phenomenon has a medical explanation. It's all about changing hormonal levels and increased blood circulation in the pelvic organs.
Many pregnant women note an increase in sexual desire in the last stages of pregnancy
It is during this period that some women begin to experience strong sexual experiences, and sometimes even experience a real orgasm for the first time. You shouldn’t be ashamed of your feelings and it would be better to talk with your partner and discuss your desires. During sex, you need to listen to your feelings. If even minor painful feelings occur, you should interrupt sexual intercourse. If you suddenly notice bleeding, call an ambulance immediately.
Sometimes, after having an orgasm, a woman can feel the baby begin to move. Don't be scared, there's nothing scary about it. This is how the baby can react to a rapid pulse and contractions of the uterus.
Video about sex during pregnancy in Elena Malysheva’s program “Live Healthy!”
Toxicosis in the first month of pregnancy
In 90% of women, menstruation stops in the first month of pregnancy, and toxicosis appears already at 3-4 weeks. For some it is mild nausea in the morning, for others it is frequent vomiting. It is useless to fight this phenomenon; it can only be alleviated. To prevent your stomach from becoming bloated in the first month of pregnancy from the food you eat, include light, quickly digestible foods in your diet, eat less, but more often. An excellent solution would be split meals, but it should be complete - during pregnancy, the body needs twice as many vitamins and other nutrients.
Sex during pregnancy: is it possible or not?
If pregnancy proceeds without complications, then there are no obstacles to continuing intimate relationships. Moreover, modern obstetricians and gynecologists believe that in the absence of contraindications, sex is extremely useful: during pregnancy, the emotional atmosphere in the family is usually unstable, and in this sense, making love is one of the best ways to maintain and strengthen the previous intimacy.
At the same time, it is important to understand that for all pregnant couples, sexual life proceeds differently: some cannot even think about intimacy, others find hugs and other tenderness quite enough, others are ready not to get out of bed until the first contractions - and all these options are normal . In any case, you need to remember that each period of pregnancy has its own characteristics.
First trimester
In the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, women often suffer from toxicosis and sudden changes in mood, experience weakness and a general disgust for life. At this time, many expectant mothers simply have no time for “nonsense”, and the man will have to respect this desire, or rather reluctance. Agree, it is quite difficult to convince a person of the need for sexual relations who travels from room to toilet throughout the day and is unable to swallow anything more substantial than half a glass of tea. However, if you feel well, your personal life can continue exactly the same as before, before pregnancy.
The risk of losing a baby is higher in the first trimester than in the second or third. Therefore, at this time you need to be very careful that sex is careful and non-aggressive. And it’s better to just forget about the various acrobatic pirouettes.
Second trimester
This is the sexiest time of pregnancy. The belly is still small, the nausea has stopped, the breasts have increased in size and have become much more sensitive to touch, in addition, thanks to estrogen and progesterone, desire has increased. As a result, the sensations from sex (supported by the absence of obsessive thoughts about an unplanned or, conversely, pregnancy that is not occurring) become brighter, and orgasm is achieved much faster.
Third trimester
Everything becomes a little more difficult: body size does not have the best effect on agility and coordination, and general fatigue begins to affect temperament. In addition, 3-4 weeks before giving birth, many women fall into a “lazy” state: they want to lie quietly on the couch and, if possible, limit contact with the outside world as much as possible.
When not to have sex during pregnancy
If a doctor does not recommend having sex, you should not take his words as reinsurance. Such a prohibition, as a rule, has serious physiological reasons: if pregnancy proceeds with complications, then uterine contractions that occur during orgasm and active impact on the area close to the cervix can provoke bleeding and lead to the loss of the child.
So, you will have to give up sex during pregnancy:
• if there is a confirmed threat of miscarriage, as well as if the previous pregnancy (one or more) ended unsuccessfully; • with a diagnosis of isthmic-cervical insufficiency of the cervix; • with placenta previa (there is a high risk of placental abruption and subsequent bleeding); • any vaginal bleeding or unusually heavy discharge; • in case of multiple pregnancy (the doctor may recommend abstaining from lovemaking after 28 weeks).
But even if sex has to be postponed until better times, this does not mean that your intimate life is over. To begin with, it would be nice to clarify what exactly the doctor had in mind when recommending sexual rest: in some cases, the sentence “no sex” really means a ban on everything that can cause arousal and orgasm in a woman, while in others, a taboo is imposed only on penetration. But, no matter what your gynecologist says, remember once and for all: tactile contact is simply necessary for pregnant women.
When can and should you have sex during pregnancy?
If you don't have any medical contraindications, sex during pregnancy can be very beneficial.
1. Intimate relationships can be an excellent alternative to fitness: sex is a fairly energy-intensive process, which also includes elements of stretching that are extremely useful for women. Moreover, lovemaking, just like physical activity, contributes to the production of pleasure hormones (endorphins), which in turn are transmitted to the baby, improving his mood and regulating the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
2. During pregnancy, an enlarged uterus and displaced pelvic organs can impair normal blood circulation, provoke venous stagnation and reduce blood supply to tissues. In the presence of other unfavorable factors (smoking, hereditary predisposition, sedentary work), all this can lead to varicose veins of the legs and even the pelvis. Meanwhile, during sex, blood flow to the external and internal genital organs increases, and then intense outflow occurs - thus, this very “harmful stagnation” is eliminated. In addition, direct massage of the internal genital organs helps prevent constipation during pregnancy.
3. Many women are frightened by the tension in the uterus that appears after orgasm, but if it is not accompanied by painful sensations and goes away within half an hour, there is no reason to worry. The uterus is a muscle, and therefore it needs training: the ability of the uterus to contract will be very useful to you during childbirth. During a full-term pregnancy, sexual activity is the best way to prepare for the process of childbirth. In addition to relieving the stress and anxiety that a woman usually experiences before giving birth, sex promotes the maturation (that is, softening and shortening) of the cervix due to the prostaglandins contained in sperm - special substances involved in the initiation of labor. Just don’t be alarmed, this only works if the woman and child are ready for childbirth: in earlier stages, no prostaglandins are scary for you!
Source: Mamas&Papas magazine
Possible risks of having sex later in pregnancy
In the last stages of pregnancy, you need to be especially careful and understand that intimate intimacy can also lead to various complications.
- A woman can be injured if there are very sudden movements during sex or the partner behaves carelessly. Excessive pressure on the abdomen can cause serious problems that will require urgent hospitalization.
- Sex during late pregnancy sometimes leads to infection of the fetus, as the cervix sometimes begins to dilate.
- A woman may experience premature labor due to sex.
Oxytocin, which is released from a woman during sex, and prostaglandins from seminal fluid can lead to the onset of labor. If the pregnancy proceeds without problems, then such a complication should not arise. However, if you have had a preterm birth in the past or are at risk of it, you should avoid having sex.
