7 Pregnancy Sex Myths That Are Just BS; Stop Believing Them!

Despite the amount of research that’s out there, there are still a surprising number of myths about pregnancy, especially where sex is concerned. Fortunately for both men and women, many of these myths are just not true.

Keep reading to find out some of the most common myths and the actual truth behind them.

1. Sex during pregnancy can hurt the baby

This is by far the most common myth, but a fundamental anatomy lesson will quickly put this myth to rest. The baby is located in the uterus (or womb) of the woman. Sex happens in the woman’s vagina. The vagina and the uterus are separated by the cervix, a muscle that stays tightly closed during pregnancy and even fills up with a mucus plug to keep anything from entering the uterus where it could harm the baby.

2. The baby knows when you’re having sex

Because the baby is floating in a water-filled sac, most movements feel about the same to the baby, so there’s no way the baby would be able to tell based on gestures. Since the penis doesn’t go anywhere near the baby, there aren’t any visual clues that would tip off the baby either. And as far as sounds go, everything is muffled because, again, water-filled sac.

3. Sex will start labor

There is some truth to this, but typically only if a woman is near the end of her pregnancy or beyond her due date when the baby is ready to come anyway. There are also some women who are at a higher risk of pre-term labor whose doctors will advise them explicitly to avoid sex for this reason. However, in most cases, sex does not start labor.

4. Orgasms cause contractions

This is another myth that is rooted in some truth, which is why those same women that aren’t allowed to have sex to avoid pre-term labor are also not allowed to have orgasms. Once again, however, this is a myth and does not apply to the vast majority of women or pregnancies. Although some women may experience some light muscle tightening following an orgasm, these are not orgasms, nor do they lead to actual labor.

5. Pregnancy causes an increased sex drive

For some women, women do feel an increased sex drive, so this is true for them. For others, however, they have a significantly decreased sex drive. And still, others notice no change in their libido. Because every woman is different, the idea that pregnancy always causes an increase (or decrease, since that is another popular pregnancy myth) in sex drive is a myth.

6. Women should have sex while pregnant for the sake of their partner

A woman’s body goes through a lot during pregnancy, and if she’s one of the ones that has lost her sex drive or if sex merely has become too uncomfortable for her (morning sickness, anyone?), then she shouldn’t have to have sex if she doesn’t want to. Communication is critical, however, and if her partner is getting frustrated, then they should find a way to make it work, so they’re both getting what they want.

7. Certain sex positions are dangerous during pregnancy

While it doesn’t take long for certain situations to become uncomfortable with a growing belly, as long as a couple isn’t doing anything that would be dangerous for a non-pregnant woman, then there aren’t any positions that are blatantly dangerous during pregnancy. Later in the pregnancy, a woman shouldn’t be lying on her back for too long because of the weight of the uterus on the vagus nerve, but even that isn’t an issue during sex.

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About the Author: Originally from Michigan, Melody now enjoys working as a freelance writer from her home in Nicaragua, which she shares with her amazing husband and their crazy cat that was raised on goat’s milk from the time her mother abandoned her at just ten days old. They’re excited to be expecting their first baby, who they thought was a girl, were told was a boy, and then was told was a girl. She also recently finished her first novel and is working on making a cat coloring book.