Let's be honest: The stomach is in the way, and the extra person in your body doesn't necessarily add up to advanced sex positions that make your partner gape. But that doesn't mean that sex when you're pregnant doesn't have to be either a utopia or boring as hell.
We have collected 5 sex positions for pregnant women, where both ergonomics and pleasure are considered.
Challenges of sex when you are pregnant
The stomach is bigger and fuller, the pelvis aches and you have sore breasts and fluid in the legs. After a few months, it can be difficult to lie down properly - and some sex positions are completely out of the question because you can't lie on your stomach or swing your legs behind your neck. Or just up, altogether. But that doesn't have to rob you of enjoyment and sassy sex positions with your partner.
When should you avoid sex while pregnant?
If you experience complications, bleeding, pain or the like, refrain from sex until you have spoken to your doctor or midwife. Safety first. Sex should never hurt - not even when you're pregnant.
If penetration sex is completely out of the question for you during pregnancy, either due to a lack of desire or complications, don't cry. Good sex doesn't have to involve penetration at all: You and your partner can pamper each other with oral sex and focus on stimulating the body's erogenous zones. In the erotic universe of tantra, there are e.g. plenty of inspiration for how you can achieve greater intimacy and cohesion without penetration. Go if necessary on discovery in our guide to tantra postures .
Which sex position is best when you are pregnant?
Which sex positions are best when you are pregnant depends 100% on you and your body. If you feel like throwing yourself into acrobatic kama sutra positions, then do it - and if you are more into the classic positions, then these are the ones you go with.
We have collected 5 sex positions for you who are pregnant and need space for your belly. In the following, we call one person the "giver" and the other the "recipient". The giver is the one who penetrates the other with either a penis, a finger or e.g. a dildo. And the recipient is the one being penetrated. Most of the positions also work for sex without penetration.
1. Doggystyle - In doggystyle there is plenty of room for the stomach. As the recipient, you stand on all fours, and if it is not comfortable for the stomach to hang freely, you can put a duvet under you and let the stomach rest on it. The donor stands behind you and can penetrate both anally and vaginally. The giver has both hands free for caressing the breasts and clitoris - or for a firm grip on the hips or hair. If you want to explore your g-spot, then this position is perfect for just that! You can read more in our guide how to find my g-spot .
2. Lying spoon - If the body gets tired in doggystyle, lie on your side in this lying sex position, where your stomach can rest on the floor. The giver lies behind you with his stomach against your back. Here, the provider can penetrate and stimulate you from behind, and you can disappear into the provider's warm embrace, where you can vary the pace and depth together.
3. Upright spoon - If your body feels best upright, raise the lying spoon up on its edge. Support yourself against a wall, a headboard, kitchen table or similar. The donor positions himself in this intercourse position behind you and can penetrate you. Both hands are free to stimulate you, hold you or you can intertwine your hands against the wall.
4. Cowgirl - If you want to be on top, there is plenty of room for your stomach in this sex position. The giver lies on his back and you crouch on top, stomach facing your partner. In this sex position, you have the opportunity to make eye contact and to caress each other. You can also vary the intercourse position by turning your back to your partner - still squatting. You can put your hands between your partner's legs for better support when riding up and down.
5. Lying Lotus position - The giver sits with bent and slightly spread legs on the floor or bed. You lie on your back and fold your legs around your partner's lower body so that your abdomen is completely tight. From here, the provider can penetrate and stimulate you either with a penis or a dildo. If it is uncomfortable to lie completely flat on your back, you can raise your upper body with pillows.
If you and your partner want to try several different positions, dive into our guide 14 sex positions you don't want to miss .
Can sex harm baby?
You cannot hit the fetus, trigger an abortion or otherwise harm the baby during sex when you are pregnant. Baby lies well protected in the womb surrounded by amniotic fluid and a penis or dildo can't get anywhere near it.
Some Danish studies even suggest that sex during pregnancy can be directly beneficial and help reduce the risk of preeclampsia. Bonus!
So unless your doctor has advised against sex during pregnancy for one reason or another, keep calm and continue the good sex.
Can sex initiate labor?
If you have a completely normal pregnancy with no risk of giving birth prematurely due to, for example, a shortened cervix, intercourse during pregnancy cannot initiate labor.
However, there are indications that around your due date you can boost a birth by having sex and thus avoid initiation. So if you get tired of waiting and the calendar says 'due', it's an obvious opportunity to try these 5 good sex positions for pregnant women.
By the way, it is very normal to experience extra dryness in the vagina when you are pregnant. Therefore, you may benefit from reading our guides which lubricant should I choose and why can't I get wet .
