For the healthy woman, there are few restrictions on sexual intercourse during pregnancy. However, it's perfectly normal for a woman's feelings about sex to change during this time. She may go through temporary periods when her desire for sexual intercourse increases or decreases. As the pregnancy progresses, and her abdomen becomes larger, intercourse may be uncomfortable, and a pregnant woman and her partner may want to experiment with more comfortable positions. Usually, there's no problem with having intercourse into the ninth month, but it's best to discuss this with a doctor. In some situations, a doctor may suggest not having intercourse because it might interfere with the normal course of pregnancy. Intercourse is likely to be restricted if a woman has had vaginal bleeding, or if she's had premature births. A pregnant woman should see a doctor as soon as possible if intercourse is painful, if there's bleeding or infection, or if her water breaks prematurely. When any of these signs occur, or for more information regarding sex during pregnancy, contact a health care professional.
