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  Healthy Sex Life Before and After Childbirth Download

Can sex life go on during pregnancy? Will the foetus be affected? * Being affected by nausea vomiting during early gestation, the growing belly and the misconception that sexual activities affect the fetus, sex desire of the expectant mother may be suppressed. * In fact, unless signs of miscarriage show up in the first trimester or placenta praevia (means placenta lying in the lower part of the uterus) is diagnosed in the mid or late trimesters, sexual intercourse will not increase the chance of miscarriage. The expectant mother can continue with her sex life. The process of intercourse does not affect the fetus if overly vigorous gestures and pressure on the abdomen are avoided. * Distending pain at the lower abdomen, vaginal bleeding or leakage of amniotic fluid are abnormal signs during sexual intercourse. If any of these occur, sexual activities have to be stopped immediately and medical consultation should be sought as soon as possible. * From 36th week of pregnancy onwards, vaginal intercourse is undesirable due to the risk of premature rupture of membrane. What postures can be used for sex life during pregnancy? * During early pregnancy, all postures can be adopted. * When the expectant mother reaches her second trimester with a growing and protruding belly, she should pay attention not to have her abdomen under pressure or gestures that are too vigorous. Postures suitable to use include face side-by-side, kneeling back as well as face-to-face sit-up. * In late gestation, rear entry can be adopted and partner should show his care and affection as support. The couple can also satisfy each other's sexual need by other means such as tender touching and caressing. * Apart from lovemaking, both partners can attain sexual satisfaction and physical pleasure by other means such as cuddling, caressing and kissing. * Use of condom during intercourse can reduce the chance of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
Safe Posture for gestation Posture for early gestation Normal position: Man supports his body with his arms Stretching position: Avoid deep penetration and pressure on woman's belly Posture for mid gestation Face side-by-side position: Shallow penetration, no pressure on woman𠏋 belly Kneeling back position: No pressure on woman's belly, man can control depth of penetration Face-to-face sit-up position: Woman can control the depth of penetration Posture for late gestation Back side-by-side position: Shallow penetration, no pressure on woman's belly Caressing the head & neck Massaging man's genitalia
When can sex life be resumed after delivery? * After giving birth, the body system needs some time to revert back to pre- pregnancy state. This period, called puerperium, generally lasts for 6 weeks. When puerperium is over, the lochia will clear, the uterus will return to its natural size, the uterine lining will be recovering, the cervix will close, the vaginal membrane will return to normal and the wound on the abdomen or the perineum will be healed. At this time, sex life can be resumed if the mother is emotionally and physically ready. * In the first 6 months after delivery, effective contraceptive means have to be adopted unless the mother nurses the baby exclusively on breast milk (including midnight) and no menses has returned. Contraception must be used after 6 months. Will the wound be ripped apart by sexual activities after delivery? * Generally speaking, the wound should have been healed when puerperium is over and therefore will not be ripped open by sexual activities. * When resuming sexual intercourse after delivery, the mother will sometimes experience dryness in her vagina as well as mild pain or strange feeling at the perineum. The reasons are mostly psychological thought. She can get used to it gradually after a few times of intercourse and these discomforts will naturally fade away. Overly vigorous gestures and deep penetration at the early resumption of sex life should be avoided. Priority should be given to what feels good for the mother. Personal hygiene should also be observed to minimize the risk of perineal wound infection. * Detailed medical examination should be sought if there is bleeding, pain or difficulties during intercourse. Maternal Care Maternal & Child Health Centres, Department of Health. Enquiry hotline 2112-9900 www.info.gov.hk/dh/telephon/mchc_e.htm Prepared by the Family Health Service of the Department of Health
 
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Last revision date: 01 September 2006