4 Facts About Orgasms During Pregnancy You Probably Didn't Know

Are orgasms safe during pregnancy? Is it true they feel way better? Here's everything you need to know about the big 'O' during pregnancy.

Pregnancy can change a lot of things in your life, including your sex life. For some people, the increase in hormones and blood can even make the "Big O" so intense that it's unnerving. For others, it's the best sex of their lives.

The good news: There is no "right" or "wrong" way to experience orgasm during pregnancy. For people who don't have any medical complications (such as placenta previa or risk factors for preterm labor) and whose water has not yet broken, sexual activity and reaching orgasm is perfectly healthy and can even have benefits. In fact, a 2018 paper in Gynaecology and Perinatology described that a pregnant person having an orgasm can actually help the growing fetus get a boost of oxygen and nutrients. Sounds like a win-win!

Stacey Rees, a certified nurse-midwife at Clementine Midwifery in Brooklyn, New York confirms that reaching orgasm poses no dangers to you or your baby. But you may find that your orgasms are different during pregnancy. Some pregnant people even find that they can achieve their first-ever orgasm or even experience multiple orgasms for the first time.

Pregnancy coach and fitness trainer Danielle Cavallucci, co-author of Your Orgasmic Pregnancy: Little Sex Secrets Every Hot Mama Should Know, answers some of the common questions you might have about orgasms during pregnancy.

Why Are Orgasms More Intense During Pregnancy?

Orgasms can be more intense during pregnancy because when someone is pregnant, their entire genital and pelvic region, including the uterus, are more engorged with blood, so the vulva and vagina become more sensitive. Any kind of stimulation, including mental stimulation and fantasy, can be enough to push a pregnant person over the edge.

Pregnant woman relaxing on the sofa.

VICTOR TORRES / Stocksy

Can Orgasms Harm the Fetus?

Orgasms during pregnancy are not dangerous to the fetus. In fact, a pregnancy orgasm might even feel like a little massage to your baby. The only time an orgasm may be dangerous during pregnancy is if your doctor has ordered complete pelvic rest for you—in some rare cases, orgasms can trigger premature contractions.

Are Orgasms During Pregnancy Ever Less Intense?

While orgasms during pregnancy can be more intense for some people, especially in the first and second trimesters, they tend to become less intense the further you are into your pregnancy. Often in the third trimester, the uterus can't fully contract during an orgasm because of the size of the fetus. You may be extremely stimulated but unable to have a full-on climax.

Why Does the Pregnant Belly Get So Hard During Orgasm?

An orgasm causes a muscle contraction of your pelvic and abdominal muscles. The contractions are no different than with a pre-pregnancy orgasm; the abdominal muscles contract as they normally would, but the muscle contractions are more evident because your uterus is much larger and your belly's extended.

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