Sex is usually safe in pregnancy unless…
FOR the most part, pregnancy doesn’t preclude a woman from engaging in her regular activities, including sex with her partner. In fact, despite fears some women may have about hurting their babies, Dr Keisha Buchanan, obstetrician-gynaecologist at ICON Medical Centre, says not only are natural barriers in place to protect the foetus, but sex is usually safe, except under special circumstances.
“Sexual intercourse is generally encouraged in pregnancy and will not harm the woman or foetus. However, there are a number of medical conditions which could result in your gynaecologist putting a restriction on sexual engagements,” Dr Buchanan advised.
Below she shares a list of complications which is an indication that you should forego sex.
Low-lying placenta
“In some women the placenta is located abnormally in the lower uterine segment or covering the cervix. This can increase the risk of vaginal bleeding in pregnancy called antepartum haemorrhage,” Dr Buchanan said. She explained that sex may exacerbate this condition due to trauma from the penis on the cervix agitating the placenta, and as such couples are encouraged to delay any penetration until the placenta ascends into the upper uterus. However, if it fails to ascend, then sex should be avoided altogether.
Women at risk of a premature delivery
Premature labour is the onset of regular uterine contractions that cause the cervix to dilate and can result in early delivery. “Premature birth can occur anywhere between 24 weeks (six months) up to two weeks before the due date. Women who have had prior premature delivery or who have had an episode of premature labour in their present pregnancy may be advised to restrict sexual activity,” Dr Buchanan advised. This, she said, is very important since chemicals in the sperm called prostaglandins can potentially trigger labour in women at high risk of labour.
When membranes of the amniotic sac are ruptured
“The amniotic sac is a layer of members that the foetus develops in. It forms a sac around the foetus that provides protection from infection to the developing foetus. Unfortunately, sometimes it ruptures, and in these cases couples are asked to refrain from sex,” Dr Buchanan said. She underscored that this is particularly important since bacteria can easily ascend to the foetus and to the lining of the womb during intercourse since protection is compromised, resulting in an increased possibility for morbidity and mortality in the newborn and mother.
If a cervical cerclage is inserted
Cervical incompetence or insufficiency describes a condition in which the cervix starts to shorten and open too early during a pregnancy, which can result in a miscarriage. To prevent this, a cervical cerclage is inserted in the cervix to prevent premature dilation, a miscarriage and premature labour. “After the cerclage is inserted, the patient should abstain from sex for a few weeks in order to allow the cervix to heal and prevent infection in the cervix that can spread up into the womb. However, if the cerclage had to be inserted as an emergency due to the cervix prematurely dilating, abstinence from sex for the remainder of the pregnancy may be advised as that person is already at a high risk of miscarriage and premature delivery,” Dr Buchanan said.
When there is an active vaginal infection
Vaginal infections such as yeast and bacterial vaginosis are quite common during pregnancy. Dr Buchanan explained that these tend to occur as a result of the imbalance in the pH of the vagina and hormonal changes in pregnancy that leads to an overgrowth of the yeast cells or bacteria. “When a vaginal infection is present it is best to abstain from sex and see the doctor for these to be assessed and treated, and you should continue to abstain [for] the duration of treatment,” Dr Buchanan instructed.
Your partner has an abnormal genital rash or penile discharge
“A genital rash could be an STI such as syphilis of herpes; these infections can spread to the mother and foetus. If syphilis goes untreated when contracted in pregnancy, this can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, and neurological problems in the baby. Herpetic infections can also be lethal,” Dr Buchanan warned.
On the other hand, Dr Buchanan said that a penile discharge is most commonly a sign of an STI such as chlamydia which, if passed to the woman, puts her at a greater risk of developing complications such as a miscarriage, premature birth or stillbirth. As such, she recommends that the sexual partner and the woman who is pregnant get the rash or discharge assessed and treated, all while abstaining from sex.
