Not Tonight Darling, I’m Pregnant – Sexual Myths During Pregnancy
03 Aug 2008
Can the penis injure the fetus during pregnancy? Or can sexual intercourse result in premature labour and possibly fetal death? How will pregnancy affect sexual desire? And how soon after delivery is it safe to have sex? These are some of the many questions about pregnancy. There’s one I’ll never forget which should enter the Guinness Book of Records.
Dr. Elias Bartellas, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John’s, recently reported his findings on sex and pregnancy at the annual meeting of Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. His report revealed that nine months is a long time to be ill-informed about sex.
Today the majority of doctors are either too busy or embarrassed to bring up the subject of sex. So although there’s been a sexual revolution during the last few decades and an avalanche of sex in the media, there’s little discussion about sex in the doctor’s office.
In Bartellas’s study a mere 30 percent of patients had discussed their sexual concerns. And in one-third of these cases it was necessary for patients to introduce the subject. The remaining 70 percent indicated no discussion about sex took place, but wished their doctor had covered the topic.
Dr. Bartellas says all doctors keep prenatal records that mention past illnesses, medications, family history, allergies and domestic violence. But there is no requirement on the record to discuss sex.
So how much sex is going on during pregnancy? 58 percent of women claimed they experienced decreased sexual desire. The remaining 42 percent said their interest in sex was either the same or increased.
What about the men? 60 percent said there was no change in sexual desire, 20 percent had increased desire and 20 percent were less interested in sex. In general, the further along the pregnancy the less couples engaged in sex. And 20 percent of women stated they were pressured into having sex.
But how many believed that sexual activity could cause harm to a pregnancy? It’s amazing that 28 percent believed that sex would result in premature labour. And over 50 percent thought that sex would result in some injury to the pregnancy such as premature rupture of the membranes, infection or injure the fetus.
Another study showed that some men believe penile penetration could strike the fetus and cause injury. Macho males overestimate their manhood. Even if they had undergone plastic surgery to enlarge the penis there’s still no fear of this happening. The developing fetus is safely removed from the end of the vagina and is also protected by surrounding amniotic fluid.
But there are times when both parties ought to be saying, “Not tonight, dear, or any other night.” Women who have had repeated miscarriages or premature labour may need to abstain for a period of time from sex. But there is great debate as to how much this helps. For instance, if the pregnancy is imperfect, a miscarriage will occur regardless of how long couples avoid sex.
One condition, called placenta previa, where the placenta is close to the opening of the uterus, is precarious. Intercourse in this case could cause massive bleeding.
And if the amniotic membrane has ruptured, sex could result in a serious infection.
And how long should you wait to have sex following childbirth? A report from Mayo Clinic says sex may be the last thing on your mind for several weeks. Well Mayo, I have news for you.
One day while training at Harvard’s Boston Lying- In Hospital I walked unexpectedly into the room of a patient who had delivered her child 24 hours earlier. It was the dinner hour and I made a bad error. I forgot to knock on the door.
I soon discovered, it was far from being tea-time, it was sex-time. I don’t know if this should be in the Guinness Book of Records, but I’ve never since witnessed such a rapid return to normal sexual activity. Nor have I, red-faced, closed a door more quickly.
Did this premature activity cause any complications? Not to my knowledge, but waiting a few weeks until healing occurs is advisable.
