The Best Pregnancy Sex Positions
by Marygrace TaylorMedically Reviewed by Jennifer Wu, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.our editorial and medical review policies. | June 21, 2024Latest update:Updates to copy, information, and sources, and new medical review.
See moreThe good news: Almost any position works as long as you’re comfortable. The not-so-good: As your pregnancy progresses, you might find that it gets harder to maneuver with your ever-growing baby bump.
“Sex may feel different during pregnancy,” says Jennifer Wu, M.D., an OB/GYN in New York City and a member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board. “The vagina and vulva are often swollen from the pressure of the uterus. Don’t worry: These are temporary changes and will go back to normal after you deliver the baby.”
During your first trimester, there’s a good chance that almost any sex position will feel good, assuming you feel good. Nothing kills the mood faster than early pregnancy symptoms like nausea, bloating, constipation and exhaustion. So feel free to stick with the go-to’s that you and your partner liked best before finding out you were expecting.
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Read This Next Your Questions About Sex During Pregnancy, Answered Pregnancy Sex Through the Trimesters Sex Drive Changes During Pregnancy Your Questions About Sex During Pregnancy, Answered Pregnancy Sex Through the Trimesters Sex Drive Changes During Pregnancy Your Questions About Sex During Pregnancy, Answered Pregnancy Sex Through the Trimesters Sex Drive Changes During Pregnancy Your Questions About Sex During Pregnancy, Answered Pregnancy Sex Through the Trimesters Sex Drive Changes During Pregnancy Things can start to change once you reach your second trimester and beyond. Again, as long as a pregnancy sex position feels comfortable, it’s perfectly fine.
But if it seems like your bump is getting in the way, there are plenty of pregnancy-friendly options for you and your partner to try:
Side-lying positions: Lying on your side is often the most comfortable, whether you’re facing front-to-front or front-to-back. Both options keep the weight off your back, and you won’t have to worry about holding up the weight of your belly. If you feel pressure on your lower back, try tucking a pillow between your knees and have your partner lie behind you. Pregnant partner on top: This position doesn’t put any pressure on your belly, and as an added bonus, it lets you be in control of both penetration depth and clitoral stimulation. One caveat: It may not be easy to move into this position during later-stage pregnancy. But if it feels good, go for it. Cowgirl style: This position works because it doesn’t put any pressure on your belly, and it enables you to control the depth of penetration and clitoral stimulation. One thing to keep in mind: Late in pregnancy, when your belly has gotten bigger than you ever thought possible, you could find it tough to maneuver into this position. Rear entry: Having your partner enter you from behind, spooning-style, means bypassing your belly altogether. Try standing with your hands against the wall, or having your partner sit on a chair with you sitting on your partner’s lap facing out. Getting on all fours is another option. Just rest your arms and head on the bed so you don’t have to hold up all that belly weight. Missionary: This one is fine as long as your partner props up to keep the extra weight off you. If your partner prefers to have hands free, try moving to the edge of the bed: Lie on your back on the bed so that your bottom is at the edge of the bed and your legs are dangling down towards the floor. Then have your partner kneel or stand in front of you. Tucking a few pillows under your back can help relieve any pressure. “You may also find using a lubricant to be helpful with vaginal swelling,” notes Dr. Wu. Oral sex: Sometimes it’s fun to relax and let your partner do all the work. Since lying flat on your back for more than a few minutes will likely feel uncomfortable starting in the second trimester, try lying on your side or sitting in a comfortable chair. Just avoid oral sex where your partner blows air directly in your vagina, since it can cause a life-threatening air embolism to both you and your baby. Mutual masturbation: It can be an equally satisfying option when you’re not in the mood for sex. Try lying on your side, sitting in a chair, or finding another position that’s comfortable. What sex positions should I avoid during pregnancy? Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, there’s almost nothing that’s off-limits and “you can have sex until the very end of pregnancy,” says Dr. Wu.
However, by the second trimester, you’ll want to steer clear of any position that puts weight on your belly, like your partner lying directly on top of you or you lying on your stomach, and anything that keeps you on your back for too long.
Other than that, feel free to stick with most of the pre-pregnancy favorites that still work for you. And have fun exploring! Trying new things in the bedroom can make you and your partner feel even more connected.
Are there any risks associated with certain pregnancy sex positions? Again, almost any position is okay as long as it feels good to you. Assuming you have the all-clear from your doctor, having sex during pregnancy is perfectly safe.
That said, there are a few things to consider to avoid putting you or your baby at risk:Trusted SourceKidsHealth From NemoursSex During PregnancySee All Sources2
Keep partner-on-top sessions short after week 20. Lying on your back for a few minutes isn’t a big deal. But staying that way for an extended period can make you dizzy and reduce blood flow to the baby, not to mention put uncomfortable pressure on your back. Be smart about anal sex. It’s totally fine, but if you want to follow up with vaginal sex, make sure you and your partner wash up thoroughly first to keep any infection-causing bacteria at bay. Also, you’ll probably want to avoid it if you’re dealing with hemorrhoids — which are common during pregnancy and can get uncomfortable. Have specific questions about what’s safe in the bedroom when you’re pregnant? The What to Expect app makes it easy to keep track of questions for your doctor — and remember the answers too.
What pregnancy sex positions are best by trimester? It’s all about what feels right to you. But in general, here’s what you might find works best by trimester:
First trimester: Your bump is teeny-tiny to non-existent right now, so any positions that worked pre-pregnancy are probably still feeling good. Second trimester: As you get bigger, now might be the time to start exploring positions that work around your belly. Since you aren’t huge yet, you might find side-lying, rear-entry, pregnant-woman-on-top, and partner-on-top positions comfortable. Third trimester: It’s totally fine to stick with whatever still feels okay, of course. But if some of your second trimester favorites may have started to get a little challenging, lying on your side with a pillow between your knees and having your partner enter from behind might be the most comfortable, since you won’t have to support the weight of your belly or put pressure on your back. The main thing to remember is that there’s really no right or wrong way to have sex during pregnancy. But the bigger your baby bump gets, the more you’ll probably find that certain positions are just more comfortable than others. Just keep listening to your body and doing what feels right, and you’ll be fine. And as always, if you have any questions or concerns, reach out to your practitioner.
References 32. Mayo Clinic, Sex During Pregnancy: What’s OK, What’s Not, June 2022. | Show in the article 33. KidsHealth From Nemours, Sex During Pregnancy, April 2022. | Show in the article 34. What to Expect When You’re Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff. 35. WhatToExpect.com, Your Questions about SexDuring Pregnancy, Answered, August 2021. 36. WhatToExpect.com, Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy, November 2022. 37. WhatToExpect.com, Pregnancy Sex Through the Trimesters, August 2021. 38. National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information, Back to Basics: Avoiding the Supine Position in Pregnancy, February 2017. 39. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Definition and Facts of Hemorrhoids, October 2016. 40. Cay L. Crow, M.A., LPC, Certified Sex Therapist, Certified Sex Therapy Supervisor, Taos, NM. 41. Jessica Steinman, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, Sherman Oaks, CA. MIs this something I will be able to get past it?Last updated 5 days ago113postsmHusbands and GamingLast updated 2 months ago40postsmMom decided to go on a dream trip we already started planning with my sister instead of me.Last updated 2 months ago91posts There are 9,721 active discussions happening now in our Relationships community group. Join in - Top Boy Names
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