Keep that Spark Alive: 5 Safe and Comfortable Positions During Pregnancy

In pregnancy, your safety matters. Your comfort too. Here are 5 safe and intimate positions for you.

Is it Safe to Have Sex While You’re Pregnant?

Pregnancy. Quite an experience right? Causing changes in your body, your sleep, energy levels, emotions. Yes, even in your sex life. Between your excitement and exhaustion, there’s a hanging question.

Is it even safe to have sex while you’re preggy? Short answer, it’s completely safe most of the time. But like everything during that, communication, comfort and some adjustments are still important. Let’s walk through this. 

Without turning your journey into just a biology class. If you don’t have medical issues, sex while you’re pregnant is generally safe. From start to finish. You’re aware of outdated, sometimes ridiculous myths. 

That insertion/penetration would hurt your baby. The good news. That’s not the case. Because your baby is protected by your uterus, amniotic fluid and healthy uterine muscles. What a sigh of relief for the soon to be mother in you. 

Your naughty side feels delighted. That said, there are things you might be aware of.  Pregnancy can make your body act up. In ways you didn’t expect.  More sensitive and responsive one moment. Too tired the next. 

Sometimes you have this burning desire. Sometimes not. But that’s pretty normal during your preggy months. You’re wondering what’s ok and what’s not. If your pregnancy gets complicated due to:

• Placenta previa
• Risk of preterm labor
• Unexplained bleeding

Your doc might advise you to avoid/lessen sexual activities. Worried? In doubt? Your healthcare provider is on standby for your concerns. What about other folks' experience with pregnant sex? Here’s a discussion.

Your questions aren’t awkward or foolish. Reaching out, a very smart move actually. If you’re looking for an expert’s opinion (in video form), check out Dr. Rena Malik’s take on this.

Is it Actually Safe to Have Sex During Pregnancy?

5 Safe Sex Positions While You’re Pregnant

Now to the meat and potatoes. The positions that work. Taking care of your comfort, safety and connection. While you’re expecting.

1. Spooning

This one’s quite the favorite. You and your partner lie on your sides. Facing the same direction. One behind the other. Why does it work? Removing pressure on your abdomen. So important (especially while you’re pregnant).

A gentle, relaxed position. Doesn’t require much effort or balancing. Spooning is a position that becomes a tender, shared moment with your partner. Close, calm, easy to adjust. Keeps you connected and safe.

2. Edge of the Bed

Here, one of you lies on their back. Near the edge of the bed while the other stands. Or kneels in front. It works as a safe position. Because it allows better control of depth and pace. 

Helps you avoid putting so much weight on your pregnant body. 

A quick note though. Later in your pregnancy, lying flat on your back for too long? That can feel uncomfortable due to pressure. Pressure on your major blood vessels. The workaround here is using pillows. Using them to slightly elevate your body can still make a difference.

3. Missionary (Slightly Modified)

Yes. This classic, tried and tested position made it on this list as well. But with a subtle twist. Instead of you taking the full weight while lying down, your penetrating partner would not press so close against your body.

They’d bend slightly, using their arms to support their weight. This avoids putting pressure on your abdomen. You can still maintain eye contact and closeness. Things you surely value. While still adapting to your pregnancy.

For additional support, pillows will come in handy. Place them on your back to slightly elevate your opening. Pillows help you adjust your angle. The cushion keeps you comfortable.

4. Cowgirl (Pregnant partner on top)

In this position, you’re going to be on top. Controlling movement and depth. This is a good position ‘cause it gives you control. Letting you set the angle, the pace, the intensity. You can rock back and forth or grind playfully.

Without pressure on your belly. During this period, your body’s more sensitive than usual. That’s why doing the cowgirl is a reliable option. Throughout the stages of your pregnancy.

5. Doggy Style

Another classic, reliable position. The doggy can still work during your pregnancy. With a few thoughtful adjustments. Instead of a steep angle, you’d keep your upper body supported. By leaning forward and with a few pillows.

With those, you help reduce the strain on your sensitive, pregnant body. Avoiding pressure on your abdomen. Also making way for adjustable depth and comfort. The key here is communication. About small changes here and there.

Which Stage of Pregnancy is Safest for Sex?

Your pregnancy is a process. Time to break these stages down.

1st Trimester (1 to 12 Weeks)

An unpredictable stage. Hormones are going somewhat crazy. All over the place. Symptoms like nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness can make sex… less appealing sometimes.  

Some grumpy moments are expected.

During the first phase, sex is usually safe. But take note that there’s also a risk of miscarriage. Let’s be clear though. Sex doesn’t cause miscarriages. Not quite a thing in healthy pregnancies. Your first trimester, just a more delicate stage.

2nd Trimester (12 to 26 Weeks)

Mostly considered the sweet spot. Creamy middle. The second trimester is the phase where your energy levels come back. The nausea and moods settle down. Your body’s not yet reaching peak physical strain.

You might be pleasantly surprised. That this stage makes sex easier and more enjoyable. Your safest and most pleasurable window for sex? Second trimester. A sweet, delightful time to let your naughty side come out.

3rd Trimester (27 Weeks to Labor/Birth)

The last third of your pregnant journey. By this point, your body’s working overtime. Your belly gets larger. Positions feel more challenging. Even awkward. There’s pressure on your back and pelvis.

Because of that pressure, you’d be adjusting more. When it comes to having sex. It’s still safe for you to get intimate during this stage. But as your due date gets nearer, most would advise you to lessen your sexual activity. As a safety measure.

Using Sex Toys While You’re Pregnant

Yup. Toys are still pretty dope here. While you have that fabulous baby bump. With a few guidelines. They help you adapt when some positions feel uncomfortable/almost impossible. Maintaining your connection and reducing pressure on your body. 

Some things you must keep in mind. Use body-safe materials. Something like silicone. Keep ‘em clean. Before and after use (pregnant or not). Pick toys that give you external stimulation. Pick the gentler settings as well. 

Save the intensity for other occasions.For you and your partner, toys can shift the focus from limitations (due to pregnancy). What you get instead is something delightful. Shared exploration. Making you feel more relaxed. 

Your intimacy becomes less physically demanding. Speaking of external stimulation, here’s the good news. EARPOD ALGGIE will take care of that for you! For more fun toys to play with…

A Few Safety Tips

Keeping it practical. A few little things. They make a big difference.

• Your body’s giving you signals. Listen. Something feels off? Painful/uncomfortable? Pause or stop completely. Pressuring yourself to push through stuff… unnecessary.

• Hydration, don’t forget about that. Have water nearby. Certain positions do make you dizzy or gasping for air. Avoid them. Pregnancy can be demanding in itself already. 

• Take your time. Slower and more intentional intimacy feels better during your pregnancy anyway.

• Use pillows. Seriously, they’re underrated. Not just for sleep. They give your back, hips and belly extra support. Making pregnant sex more comfortable.

• Keep Communicating. Adjust accordingly. What felt good last week might feel very different this time. A very normal thing considering how your body changes during pregnancy.

Enjoying Intimacy as Your 9th Month Approaches

Pregnancy won’t always look/feel the same. Your experience could be smoother. Or more challenging than others. The good thing is you can still be intimate during this time. As long as you’re mindful. 

The core principles stay the same. Pregnant or not. Comfort, consent, communication and care are crucial. Sex is not off-limits. It just evolves. Some days you’d be so excited to do it. Some days you’d lack energy. 

There are positions that make you feel great. Others won’t work well with your pregnant body. 

Not a problem. It’s part of the process. Think of this time as a shift. Your chance to slow down and explore a lil differently. 

Good thing, you’re not compromising your connection. You’re just finding ways to get intimate. In ways that feel good to both of you. You’ll get there. Not with a perfectly developed code or formula. 

But with enough curiosity, patience and willingness to adapt. Honestly? That’s not a bad way to approach your sex life at any stage.

Special Thanks: 

• Rena Malik, M.D. - Urologist and Pelvic Surgeon 
• Mayo Clinic