Is it possible and should you have sex during pregnancy?
There are two opposing stereotypes about this: one says that sex during pregnancy is unnecessary, dangerous, harmful and generally contrary to nature, and the other, more modern one, says that pregnancy is never a reason to refuse sex, and in general pregnancy is It’s not a disease, so no precautions are needed. But the truth, as usual, is somewhere in the middle. Let's look for her.
Do pregnant women need sex?
It's not the same for everybody. And here, too, there are extremes. The play of hormones is unpredictable - some women lose desire from the very first weeks of pregnancy, while others do not know what to do with their raging libido. It also happens that, having completely disappeared in the first trimester of pregnancy, sexual desire returns in the second.From the point of view of nature, sex with a pregnant female is unnatural and impractical - after all, she can no longer be fertilized, so why waste time and semen on a useless task? So for those who have sex solely for reproductive purposes, there is really no need for it during pregnancy.
So, when a woman is aroused, blood circulation in the pelvic area increases - and as a result, blood flow in the placenta increases, so that the baby receives more oxygen and nutrients. And the release of endorphin - the “hormone of joy” - brings pleasure not only to the mother, but also to the child.
Contraction of the uterus during orgasm is considered a good preparation of the muscles for upcoming contractions.
Many doctors also recommend having sex in the last weeks of pregnancy, as the hormones contained in sperm increase the elasticity of the cervix, thereby promoting better dilation during childbirth and reducing the risk of rupture.
Is sex dangerous for pregnant women?
So it turns out that sex for pregnant women is one of pure joy and benefit? Not really and not always.Sex is dangerous and is usually prohibited by doctors in the following cases:
- active threat of miscarriage;
- history of miscarriages or premature births. The most dangerous days are the days of expected menstruation, that is, every fourth week of the period, as well as the dates of previous miscarriages;
- leakage of amniotic fluid – there is a high risk of infection in the uterus;
- placenta previa or low attachment - sexual intercourse can cause bleeding;
- multiple pregnancy - doctors recommend abstaining from sex from the 20th week due to the increased risk of premature birth;
- bleeding or spotting from the vagina - what kind of sex is that, run to the doctor;
- presence of signs of genital tract infection in one of the partners;
- if the pregnancy is classified as “high risk” for other reasons - for example, pregnancy after IVF.
Precautions during sex
In the middle and late stages, sex positions should be the most gentle, convenient and comfortable for the woman, limiting the possibility of deep penetration. Sex in the “woman on her back” position is contraindicated. At any stage of pregnancy, a comfortable position for the expectant mother is lying on her side, with the man behind her.If you experience bleeding or abdominal pain during sexual intercourse, you should stop immediately and consult a doctor! There should also be no pain.
Many doctors recommend having sex with a condom during pregnancy to avoid possible infections. In any case, a man is obliged to closely monitor the slightest signs of a urinary tract infection and, if anything happens, immediately consult a doctor for treatment.
The benefits of pregnant sex
The disadvantages and difficulties of pregnant sex are clear. But there are also advantages!Firstly, already from the first weeks of pregnancy, a woman’s blood supply to the uterus and vagina increases, and the clitoris becomes more sensitive. And since impaired blood flow to the genitals is one of the causes of anorgasmia, some women may experience orgasm for the first time during pregnancy. For others, the sensations intensify - in the presence of excitement and the absence of fear, of course.
Secondly, the couple can completely relax and not think about contraceptives and their reliability: they are clearly not in danger of an additional pregnancy. Those who have been trying to have a child for a long time and have finally succeeded can also relax: they no longer need to have sex strictly on the days of the most likely conception and take conducive positions, you can only think about pleasure.
In general, everything is possible if you are careful, if you want and there are no contraindications!
A person wants to have sex, but during pregnancy there may be certain difficulties with this. There are a lot of prejudices on this topic - is it possible to have sex during pregnancy, when and in what position can you do it, and when not.
In fact, the question is far from idle - an excessive desire for physical intimacy can lead to premature birth, and the absence of sexual activity for such a long period can lead to family scandals.
In animals, a pregnant female does not strive for sexual activity, and males bypass expectant mothers in search of more suitable girlfriends. This is a physiological mechanism that protects against premature activation of labor. In addition, a pregnant female of any mammal is incapable of conceiving.
In humans, this physiological mechanism is sharply weakened. Men continue to be attracted to pregnant women, and pregnancy lasts a long time. That is why it is impossible to live the entire nine months without ever having sex with your husband.
The debate about whether sexual activity during pregnancy is harmful or beneficial will never subside in gynecology. However, all experts agree on one thing - despite many reservations and restrictions, it is possible to have sex during pregnancy.
Do I need to protect myself with a condom?
Conception during pregnancy is impossible, so there is no need for contraception. However, the use of a condom may be necessary - the penetration of sperm into a woman's body when her immune system is weakened by pregnancy can lead to various adverse immune reactions.
Using other means of contraception, in particular hormonal drugs, is not only pointless, but also dangerous. This may lead to termination of pregnancy. Intrauterine devices are removed when pregnancy is planned.
If for some reason (for example, use longer than the prescribed period) pregnancy occurred while the IUD was installed, then the contraceptive should be removed as quickly as possible.
When should you not have sex during pregnancy?
Despite the fact that modern gynecologists agree that sex during pregnancy is acceptable, there are situations when spouses need to love each other exclusively platonically.
Such situations include the early period of pregnancy and its last weeks. In the first two months, important processes of implantation and placentation occur - the future baby establishes interaction with the mother’s body, the placenta is formed.
It is from this period that the future course of pregnancy depends. Small fluctuations in hormonal levels during sex can be fatal. Unfortunately, it is during this period that a woman may not yet know that she is pregnant.
Therefore, the most reasonable option is to refuse sex from the moment the test shows two lines until the doctor says that the placenta has formed normally.
In the last month of pregnancy, the tone of the muscle fibers of the uterus plays an important role. The fact is that during a woman’s orgasm, the tone of the uterus increases, this is necessary to accelerate the movement of sperm along the woman’s genital tract.
But an increase in the tone of the uterus, only much more significant, also occurs before childbirth during contractions. In the last weeks of pregnancy, the tone of the uterus begins to gradually increase, preparing for childbirth, and its sharp increase during sex can provoke premature birth.
These restrictions apply to a normal pregnancy in a healthy woman. If there are any diseases that pose a threat of miscarriage, the doctor will recommend sexual rest.
This means a complete absence of sexual activity until the threat of interruption passes. Or before birth, if the pregnancy is difficult.
Under no circumstances should you have sex, and be sure to consult a doctor if a pregnant woman experiences the following symptoms:
- pain or heaviness in the abdomen;
- a sharp deterioration in health;
- discharge from the genital tract, especially bloody;
- bleeding from the genital tract.
Does sex change during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, noticeable hormonal changes occur in a woman’s body, so her sensations during sex can change greatly. These changes are very individual, so we can only roughly describe what a pregnant woman will experience when having sex. There are women who are lucky enough to maintain the same sensations during sex.
In some cases, there may be a decrease in sensitivity of the genital tract, a less vivid orgasm or its disappearance. This is a normal physiological reaction, a consequence of a decrease in the amount of estrogen, hormones responsible for sexual desire and pleasure from sex.
As a rule, after the birth of a child, hormonal levels return to normal, and the previous sensations return.
Sexual life can become painful, especially if a woman had problems with the lumbar spine before pregnancy, and when preparing to become a mother, she gained significant weight. This is also a manifestation of hormonal changes - gestagens, hormones that support pregnancy, also cause calcium to be washed out of the bones.
As a result, the bones become more pliable to allow more room for the growing uterus.
But these same changes cause exacerbations of all diseases associated with a lack of calcium in bone tissue, including lumbar osteochondrosis.
This condition will also improve after childbirth, but it is advisable to consult a doctor to prescribe treatment.
How to have sex during pregnancy: rules
There are no strict rules for having sex during pregnancy, but there are a number of recommendations that it is advisable to follow in order to preserve the health of the mother and unborn child.
First, you should remember that a woman's feelings may change, and this is normal. A change in sensitivity may also lead to a change in preferences - some positions that were previously favorite may begin to cause discomfort and vice versa. You should listen to your body, it dictates how to get pleasure without harming yourself.
Secondly, the duration of sexual intercourse. A pregnant woman gets tired faster, including from physical intimacy.
Fatigue is a physiological signal that a pleasant pastime should be stopped. But there are no big restrictions on the frequency - you can have sex every day.
Sex positions during pregnancy
Changes in a woman’s body impose certain restrictions on possible poses. An enlarged belly makes most sex positions uncomfortable. And in this case, positions on the side, when the man is behind, come to the rescue.
At earlier stages, when the stomach is not yet in the way, greater variety is possible. In any case, you should listen to your feelings and use your imagination - the body itself will tell you in what position it is better to have sex.
Anal, oral sex during pregnancy
There is an opinion that anal or oral sex during pregnancy is much safer because it does not affect the tone of the uterus. Considering that both of these types of sex are quite specific in themselves, and not all women like them, you should not perceive them as a full-fledged replacement for traditional sexual intercourse.
About oral sex, we can say with confidence that it absolutely does not affect the processes occurring in the uterus, therefore it is acceptable during pregnancy at any stage and even if sexual rest is recommended.
With anal sex, things are a little more complicated. Due to the proximity of the receptors of the rectum and perineum, the same undesirable effect of increasing the tone of the uterus can occur, so in the later stages it is better to refrain from anal sex. Moreover, many women treat him poorly.
Pain, discharge and blood after sex during pregnancy
The symptoms listed above indicate a complicated pregnancy and a possible threat of miscarriage. If sexual intercourse itself causes pain, then perhaps you should just change your position.
But if the pain in the lower abdomen continues to persist after sex, discharge appears, and even more so blood, you need to immediately consult a gynecologist.
If the pain is very intense, accompanied by copious bleeding, you must call an ambulance.
You should stop having sex until your gynecologist allows it.
Why don't you want sex during pregnancy?
As mentioned above, lack of desire during pregnancy is a normal physiological reaction, since conception is impossible. From a physiological point of view, sex during pregnancy makes no sense.
If a pregnant woman has ceased to feel passion for her husband, this should not be regarded as a disaster - some time after the birth of the baby, the desire will be restored.
How to have sex after having a baby?
Immediately after childbirth, you should abstain from sexual activity, especially if the woman has tears and stitches. Sex in this case not only causes pain, but also increases the risk of injury to the woman’s genital organs. In addition, after childbirth, uterine discharge often appears, so having sex can be downright unpleasant.
A return to normal sexual activity is possible for a couple after the woman’s sutures have healed and the normal state of the uterus has been restored. Usually this happens in one and a half to two months.
And some more advice from a sexologist on the topic of the article - in the next video.
Pregnancy is one of the most important stages in the life of every family. But while you're expecting your baby, your intimate life is going through major changes. Remember: pregnancy is not a disease, and in most cases sex is not contraindicated. Expectant mother and father should not deny themselves the pleasure of making love. Knowing the “secrets” of sex during pregnancy, you not only neutralize possible risks, but also bring something new, bright, and sensual into the relationship.
Transformation of desire in women and men
Whether to have sex during pregnancy or not is an individual choice for each couple. Recommendations and warnings from doctors concern only some of the nuances that change from trimester to trimester.
How does a particular trimester affect the sexual preferences of a married couple?
First trimester
1. Woman. Sexual desires come and go. The reason for what is happening is the well-being of the expectant mother. Vomiting, drowsiness, nausea - these are constant companions of the first trimester. At this moment, the senses of taste and smell become acute, moods change almost instantly, and the woman becomes extremely emotional. It may be unpleasant for a girl to have sex due to increased sensitivity of the mammary glands and frequent chest pain.
2. Man. He is frightened by his wife's behavior and does not know what to expect next time. At this stage, the couple is often haunted by scandals and quarrels - and if previously everything was decided by good sex, now the partner can refuse her husband sex. At the psychological level, the main thing is to be able to find a common language and learn to understand each other.
3. Physiology. Sex in the first trimester of pregnancy is irregular and requires increased attention from the man to his wife’s feelings. Physical intimacy is completely safe in the absence of contraindications.
Second trimester
1. Woman. Her health has improved significantly, she feels every movement of the fetus and this is a little reassuring and calming. Against the background of emotional stability, surges of hormones subside.
2. Man. Having become accustomed to the role of the future father, the spouse is in a happy, serene state. He is very sensitive, gentle and responsive towards his wife. The second trimester is often called the “golden period” of intimacy, because it is then that the couple experiences the best aspects of sex during pregnancy.
3. Physiology. Spouses should not be embarrassed to express sexual desires - during normal pregnancy, physical intimacy is not contraindicated.
Third trimester
1. Woman. As the fetus grows, women experience discomfort in the abdominal area, and the feeling of fear increases when thinking about the impending birth. Sex can be painful.
2. Man. Sexual activity decreases - the spouse is afraid of harming the fetus. His fears are not in vain, because it is impossible to say for sure whether it is possible to make love in the third trimester. Only a doctor will provide an accurate answer to the question of whether your couple has contraindications.
3. Physiology. Doctors recommend abstaining from sexual intercourse several weeks before the expected date of birth. During arousal, oxytocin is released, which stimulates uterine contractions and can cause contractions. The only exception applies to couples expecting twins.
From medicine to practice: what kind of sex you can have during pregnancy
Having sex is not prohibited both in the early stages of pregnancy and in later stages. It is almost impossible to cause physical harm to the fetus, because it is protected by the muscles of the uterus, membrane, and amniotic fluid. The only exceptions are medical contraindications regarding:
- threats of spontaneous miscarriage;
- the presence of infectious diseases in one of the partners;
- presence of bloody discharge;
- opening of the uterine pharynx;
- incorrect location of the placenta;
- miscarriages in previous pregnancies.
Feel free to discuss with your doctor the positions, features and nuances of having sex with your husband during pregnancy. Based on the specifics of your pregnancy, a qualified doctor will be able to give more comprehensive and accurate recommendations.
In the case where there are no contraindications, have sexual intercourse without fear!
1. You can have vaginal sex with virtually no restrictions.
2. Oral sex is acceptable when the partner does not have infectious diseases of the oral cavity (for example, herpes).
3. Anal sex is possible with strict hygiene.
This is interesting! During pregnancy, anal sex should be treated with extreme caution. Disturbances in the microflora of the birth canal can lead to premature rupture of the fetal membrane and provoke labor. Follow standard hygiene procedures and have anal sex only with a condom.
Having sex during pregnancy: TOP best positions
Physical intimacy during pregnancy brings positive emotions to both mother and baby. Feeling the woman’s joy, the child also remains happy. Enter into intimacy without fear, but choose comfortable, and most importantly, safe positions.
Most often, married couples give preference to the following positions:
1. “Woman on top”: the position guarantees the woman the ability to control the depth of penetration and the degree of pressure on the abdomen.
2. “Spoons” (the couple lies on their sides, the man behind): the peculiarity of the position is that the man’s genital organ does not penetrate deeply, which means it does not cause discomfort even in the later stages of pregnancy.
3. “Kneeling”: the woman leans on her elbows and knees, the man stands behind.
4. Sex while sitting on your partner's lap is optimal for the second trimester.
Remember! The main criterion for the “correct” pose is your internal sensations. If the pregnant wife feels comfortable, then sex is absolutely safe. Otherwise, be sure to change your position.
What should a man do during sexual intercourse? The spouse must remember that during this period he is required to pay increased attention and understanding of women’s needs for sex. In return, physical contact will bring the couple a lot of new sensations - excitement will grow faster than usual, and the orgasm promises to be long-lasting.
What are the positive effects of sexual intercourse for a pregnant woman and fetus? This is about:
The benefits of sex for the expectant mother and baby
- the appearance in the female body of the hormone prostaglandin, which is contained in sperm and has a positive effect on the cervix, helping it to open better during childbirth;
- training the uterine muscles, which guarantees more productive contractions;
- releases of the hormone endorphin, which has a beneficial effect on the baby’s emotions.
And 5 more scientifically proven facts
In conclusion, read a number of questions, the answers to which are of concern to all future parents:
No. 1. Why does the baby in the stomach either become silent after sex or begin to move actively?
This is due to natural contractions of the uterus. The process is absolutely harmless to the fetus, but it calms some children and, on the contrary, encourages others.
No. 2. Is it true that a pregnant woman begins to snore more often in her sleep?
Yes, and there's no shame in it - it's just that your nasal membranes swell a little.
No. 3. During what period of pregnancy is a woman most sexually active?
In the second trimester, the expectant mother is literally insatiable. The nausea and toxicosis have passed, the woman again feels desirable, attractive and healthier than ever.
No. 4. Is it true that having sex helps speed up labor during pregnancy?
Yes, because semen contains a substance that stimulates contractions.
No. 5. What is prolactin and how does it affect sexual activity?
Prolactin is a hormone released around the 28th week of pregnancy and is responsible for the formation of milk in the breast. Prolactin tends to suppress sexual desires.
Pregnancy is a special period during which it is important to seek spiritual intimacy and not give up on physical relationships. Feel free to tell your spouse and doctor how you feel, and enjoy life to the fullest while taking every possible precaution.
Sex during pregnancy threatens miscarriage or placental abruption.
This statement can only be called partially true. The fact is that sex during pregnancy in a healthy woman with complete well-being does not pose a threat of termination of pregnancy. And if the pregnancy proceeds normally, without complications, and the doctor does not prescribe sexual rest, there is no need to exclude sex from your life. There must be some reasons for the threat of interruption to develop, and there are quite a few of them. These may be abnormalities in the development of the genital organs, gynecological diseases before pregnancy (such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis), hormonal disorders in the body of a pregnant woman, sexually transmitted infections, isthmic-cervical insufficiency (a condition in which premature shortening and opening of the cervix occurs) uterus when it cannot perform its function of holding the fetus inside the uterus). In the absence of these features, sexual intercourse does not cause an increase in uterine tone and the development of a threat of miscarriage. But it is worth noting that if the expectant mother has increased uterine tone and the doctor diagnoses a threat of miscarriage, then it is better to abstain from sex. In this case, sexual intercourse can lead to termination of pregnancy due to increased uterine tone and the appearance of contractions. A ban on intimate life is imposed if a woman has previously had miscarriages and premature births. In this case, the days of expected menstruation, as well as the dates of previous miscarriages, are considered dangerous.
With the assumption that sex during pregnancy can cause placental abruption, the situation is the same as with the threat of termination of pregnancy. With a normal location of the placenta, intimate proximity cannot cause its detachment. Placental abruption is its untimely separation from the wall of the uterus, which occurs not after the birth of the fetus, as it should be, but before childbirth. The causes of this dangerous condition may be malformations of the uterus, severe illnesses of the expectant mother - diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disease, infections, severe gestosis (a complication of the second half of pregnancy, which is accompanied by increased blood pressure, the appearance of edema and protein in the urine). Placental abruption can be caused by trauma - a fall or a strong blow to the stomach. Another common reason that causes separation of the placenta is uterine hypertonicity or the threat of miscarriage.
A contraindication for sex during pregnancy is placenta previa, a condition when it is located very low in the uterus and blocks the exit from it. In this case, intimacy can provoke detachment and bleeding. The danger of placental abruption when attached to the cervix is associated with excessive stretching of the lower segment of the uterus as the fetus grows.
Truth or myth?
Sex during pregnancy can cause infection in the baby.
If it comes to the fairly widespread opinion that intimate contact contributes to the introduction of bacteria from the genital tract of partners into the pregnant uterus, of course, this is unlikely. The fetus in the uterus is reliably protected from microflora. The membranes of the amniotic sac, the mucous plug located in the cervical canal, and the cervix itself, tightly closed throughout pregnancy, have a protective function during pregnancy. Therefore, the risk of any bacteria entering the fetus is minimal.
However, during sex during pregnancy, there is a risk of a pregnant woman contracting various sexually transmitted infections, viral diseases (cytomegalovirus, herpes), hepatitis B and C. These infections can have a serious impact on the course of pregnancy and the health of the unborn baby, so it is extremely important to identify and treat them in both partners before conception.
Truth or myth?
During sex during pregnancy, the fetus can be mechanically injured.
This opinion is a myth. As already described above, the baby in the uterus is reliably protected from external influences. Around it there is amniotic fluid, which absorbs all more or less strong shocks during sexual intercourse, just as, for example, while the expectant mother is walking or traveling in transport. In addition, on the way to the baby there is a dense, closed cervix, the length of which is normally at least 3–4 cm.
Truth or myth?
Sex during pregnancy can cause premature labor.
Indeed, special substances - prostaglandins, which are contained in male sperm, have a positive effect on the mature cervix, softening it. However, this effect is realized only immediately before childbirth, with a full-term pregnancy and a prepared cervix. It is known that a pregnant woman’s body begins to prepare for the birth of a baby within a few weeks. First of all, the hormonal background changes, in particular, the amount of female sex hormones - estrogens - increases, which contributes to the preparation of the birth canal, softening and opening of the cervix. The placenta and fetal membranes begin to produce prostaglandins - hormone-like substances that are the main stimulants of labor. To initiate labor, the formation of a generic dominant is necessary. This is the name of a single system that combines changes in hormonal levels, the nervous system of the expectant mother, increased pressure inside the uterus, and the presence of certain signals from the fetus about its readiness to be born. Only after this does labor begin. Thus, in the absence of a threat of termination of pregnancy and the body is ready for childbirth, sex cannot provoke the onset of labor. Also, making love during pregnancy will never lead to premature dilatation of the cervix.
A contraindication for sex during pregnancy is isthmic-cervical insufficiency. In this case, the cervix does not perform the required obturator function, and sexual contact can provoke its dilatation, premature rupture of amniotic fluid and the onset of labor.
Truth or myth?
Sex during pregnancy causes rupture of the membranes.
The amniotic sac protects the fetus in the uterus from injury, infection and shock. The membranes of the membranes produce amniotic fluid, which contains the baby. Amniotic fluid has an important physiological significance: it provides freedom of movement to the fetus, protects it from adverse external influences, protects the umbilical cord from compression between the wall of the uterus and the body of the fetus, and participates in the metabolism of the growing organism. During childbirth, the lower pole of the amniotic sac contributes to the normal dilatation of the cervix. Normally, the fetal bladder is very dense, elastic and elastic. It is very resistant to external influences and ruptures when the cervix opens 4–5 cm and active contractions occur. Premature (that is, prenatal) rupture of amniotic fluid is possible only with some pathology of the membranes, for example, its infection with bacteria or viruses. Thinning of its walls can occur even after the expectant mother has suffered from influenza or ARVI during pregnancy, against the background of sexually transmitted infections, bacterial vaginosis, or “thrush”. Often, premature rupture of the membranes occurs if a woman is carrying two or more babies, with polyhydramnios (an increase in the amount of amniotic fluid of more than 1.5 liters), or with a transverse or oblique position of the fetus. In these cases, sexual contact can actually provoke rupture of the membranes, just as it can also be caused by fetal movement, uterine tone, and physical activity of the expectant mother. In the absence of pathology from the membranes, sex during pregnancy cannot provoke rupture of the membranes, regardless of the stage of pregnancy.
Truth or myth?
Orgasm during sex during pregnancy is dangerous for the pregnant woman.
It's no secret that orgasm is accompanied by contractions of the uterus. It is this fact that formed the basis of this myth. It is probably assumed that this may cause a threat of miscarriage or provoke the onset of labor at an inappropriate time. Indeed, during orgasm the uterus contracts, but the resulting waves are not very strong and cannot cause an increase in its tone. Therefore, we can conclude that during the normal course of pregnancy, orgasm cannot cause any harm to the woman and the fetus. In addition, pleasant emotions from closeness with a loved one will only benefit the expectant mother. This is both psychological relaxation and “recharging” with happiness hormones (endorphins), which are released into the blood during orgasm. And this has the best effect on the mood and condition of a pregnant woman and, as a result, her baby.
Truth or myth?
During pregnancy, a woman usually does not want to have sex.
It is worth noting that a woman’s sexual desire during pregnancy can either fade or increase. This depends on her initial sexual activity and hormone fluctuations during different periods of pregnancy. Thus, quite often expectant mothers note a sharp increase in sexual desire, and the rise in sexuality can grow along with the duration of pregnancy. At the beginning of pregnancy, interest in sex may decrease. Most often this is due to hormonal changes in a woman’s body and the appearance of unpleasant symptoms of toxicosis. During this period, the expectant mother develops a completely different dominant, aimed at maintaining pregnancy and bearing a child. By the beginning of the second trimester, most women, on the contrary, experience a stronger than usual sexual desire. On the one hand, this is explained by increased blood supply to the genital organs, on the other – by hormonal changes. In the third trimester, closer to childbirth, a decrease in sexual desire may again be noted. This occurs mainly in women who are painfully experiencing changes in their appearance that occurred during pregnancy. Fear of harming the baby may also contribute to decreased sexual desire. But I would like to note that in women who are not influenced by myths, sexual desire most often persists until the end of pregnancy and brings the couple the same pleasure as before, or even more vivid sexual impressions.