Oral Sex When Pregnant – Is It Safe?

Many expecting couples may feel uncomfortable indulging in intercourse with a lively baby kicking and rolling in the woman’s womb during the act. But a couple must understand that intercourse is not only important to ensure that they share an intimate and joyful relationship during this period. Besides the positions that doctors may recommend to ensure the baby’s safety, another option couples may want to try is oral sex.

If you and your partner are looking forward to experimenting with oral sex when pregnant, here are a few things to consider before you go ahead.

Sex and Pregnancy

Your pregnancy is the result of a union of two bodies and minds in love with each other. While pregnancy itself is a truly life-changing experience for you as you ready yourself to bring a new life into the world, making love during pregnancy, you may have this sudden urge to have sex with your spouse. Sex is an important part of our lives, and you should have enough clarity about it especially during such a delicate phase.

Most pregnant couples have questions about sexual desire during pregnancy, like “Can you make love while pregnant”? and “Can you indulge in oral sex during this period?” Both queries are quite pertinent and should be addressed before indulging in the act.

Remember, your baby is well-protected by the strong muscles of the uterus and its natural protector, the amniotic fluid. Due to this, sexual activity between you and your partner will not affect the baby in any way (1).

What Is Oral Sex?

Stimulating your partner’s sex organs using your tongue, lips, or mouth is known as oral sex. The licking or sucking of a woman’s vagina or clitoris or a man’s penis is included in this act.

Having sexual intercourse or oral sex becomes highly enjoyable during pregnancy due to increased blood supply to the vagina and labia. In fact, according to research, the chances of pre-term labour decreases if you have regular sex during pregnancy.

Is It Safe to Have Oral Sex During Pregnancy?

Oral sex during pregnancy is safe provided the right precautions are taken by both partners (1). If you are wondering can you have oral sex during pregnancy, the answer often depends on how you’re feeling and whether your pregnancy is progressing normally. If you feel comfortable and have no medical restrictions, it’s okay to enjoy intimacy and please your partner without unnecessary worry (2).

Does Oral Sex During Pregnancy Harm the Baby?

Oral sex and pregnancy are related to each other since both conditions share the same body. The baby is unlikely to be harmed due to oral sex. But you should indulge in oral sex only if you are up to it and not when you’re exhausted.

Possible Risks of Oral Sex While Pregnant

Oral sex during pregnancy is common and usually considered safe. However, physical changes during pregnancy can make certain risks more relevant than usual. Here are a few risks you should know.

1. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Oral-genital contact can transmit infections such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. During pregnancy, STIs may increase the risk of complications like preterm labour, low birth weight, or infection transmission to the baby (3).

2. Air Embolism

Blowing air into the vagina during oral sex can, in rare cases, cause an air embolism. This is dangerous in pregnancy because air entering the bloodstream can threaten both mother and baby (4).

3. Ruptured Blood Vessels

Increased blood flow to the cervix and vaginal tissues during pregnancy makes them more sensitive. Oral stimulation can occasionally cause small blood vessels to rupture, leading to light spotting or bleeding, which can be alarming but is usually harmless.

When Should Oral Sex Be Avoided During Pregnancy?

Intimacy during pregnancy can change depending on how your body feels and how the pregnancy is progressing. While pregnancy and oral sex often go together, it isn’t always safe in every situation. Below are a few conditions when it should be avoided (1) (5):

• Leaking amniotic fluid
• Preterm labour or signs of early labour
• Vaginal bleeding
• Placenta previa
• Active genital or oral infections

Tips While Giving Oral Pleasure During Pregnancy

The human body, male or female, pregnant or otherwise, has its own sexual needs and urges. Oral sex can be as pleasurable as the sexes the complete genital and pelvic area including your uterus are engorged with blood, therefore, making it ultra-sensitive. If your partner can keep the tips mentioned below in mind while giving you oral pleasure during pregnancy, you could eliminate any complications that could arise:

1. Oral sex increases the chances of bacteria from the mouth to be transferred to the vagina, and vice versa, which could pose a great risk as far as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are concerned.
2. There are chances that you could go into early labour as an orgasm can bring about contractions, leading to premature labour.
3. Cold sores from your partner’s mouth could lead to the spread of viruses to your genital area which can lead to further complications. The use of dental dams (a stretchable latex rubber sheet placed over the mouth) by your partner is suggested to prevent infection.
4. Understand each other’s anatomy well before indulging in oral sex, so the act is pleasurable and not painful.

Swallowing Semen While Pregnant

A common question asked by most expectant mothers who wish to have oral sex with their male partner is, “Is sperm good for the baby during pregnancy?” In case you swallow your partner’s semen while pleasuring him orally, then there’s nothing to worry about as the semen absorbed into your system won’t reach your baby. However, it is better to ensure your partner does not have sexually transmitted disease, as you could contract it too. And it could lead to preterm labour and possible miscarriage, among other complications (6).

FAQs

1. Will oral sex induce labour?

Whether oral sex can bring out labour or not cannot be said for sure as it is yet to be scientifically proven.

2. Does pregnancy lower sexual desire?

Pregnancy can affect sexual desire, but it doesn’t lower it for everyone. Hormonal changes, fatigue, nausea, body discomfort, and emotional shifts may reduce interest in sex at certain stages. At the same time, some women experience an increase in desire or notice it comes and goes. Every pregnancy is different, and changes in sex drive are completely normal.

Oral sex is safe in pregnancy, but you must always check with your doctor. If she gives a go-ahead, you should practice safe oral sex.

Also Read:

Sex Drive in Pregnancy
Benefits of Sex during Pregnancy
Masturbation during Pregnancy

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Sources References

1. Tommy’s – Is it safe to have sex in pregnancy?

2. Kicks Count – Sex During Pregnancy

3. PubMed Central – Sexually Transmitted Infections in Pregnancy: A Narrative Review of the Global Research Gaps, Challenges, and Opportunities

4. PubMed Central – Sex in pregnancy

5. March of Dimes – Sex during pregnancy

6. March of Dimes – Sexually Transmitted Infections