What is the sexual appetite for pregnant women in the third trimester like?

A woman's sex drive can fluctuate throughout her pregnancy. If usually a pregnant woman's sexual appetite decreases in the first trimester due to various drastic changes in her hormones and physique, how about entering the third trimester of pregnancy? Will there be any changes?

What is the sexual appetite of pregnant women like in the third trimester?

If you want to imagine, changes in a pregnant woman's sex drive can be described as an inverted U curve. Pregnant women sex drive in the first trimester generally decreases because it is influenced by many things. Fluctuating hormonal changes, pregnancy symptoms such as nausea (morning sickness) and breast pain, to changes in body shape that reduce self-confidence can reduce the sexual desire of pregnant women.

In addition, many women may think that they should not have sex while they are still pregnant for fear of hurting the baby. Even so, over time some pregnant women sex drive can get higher and peak in the second trimester.

Now towards the end of the trimester, the libido of women who are pregnant will fall back down. This change is influenced by the feeling of discomfort in the stomach that is getting bigger and bigger to prepare for the birth of the baby. In addition, stomach cramps, swollen feet and feelings of fatigue began to reappear, making pregnant women less eager to have sex with their husbands. Weight gain and fluctuating emotional changes during the third trimester also play a role in decreasing the sex appetite of pregnant women.

However, there are also some women who actually feel that pregnancy arouses their sexual arousal. This is also caused by the hormone estrogen which does increase during pregnancy, thus affecting your desire to have sex. The increase in the hormone estrogen will increase blood flow to around the intimate area, making it more sensitive to respond to stimuli.

How to deal with decreased sexual appetite for pregnant women?

Many pregnant women feel their sexual desire has decreased in the third trimester. In fact, this can be tricked by choosing a comfortable sexual position during late pregnancy. For example, spooning (lying on your side), women on top, to sitting on the edge of a bed or chair.

If necessary, try to be a more proactive husband, considering that your movement is somewhat limited because of your increasingly heavy body condition. If the new sex position still makes you uncomfortable, tell your partner.

If sex is difficult or makes you uncomfortable, try other ways to fuel the intimacy between the two of you. For example, with intimate foreplay such as hugs, kissing, or massage. You can also schedule sex, for example, twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays, or whatever the two of you agree on.

Tips for safe sex during late pregnancy

Decreased sexual appetite during pregnancy does not mean you should not have sex with your husband at all. If you can and do want to try, sex during pregnancy is safe, regardless of how old you are in your pregnancy.

Many couples worry that sex during late pregnancy can cause a miscarriage, but this is really nothing to worry about. Most miscarriages occur because the fetus is not developing as it should. Sex also doesn't trigger labor even when the due date is close. Penetration of sex will not hurt the baby in the womb, because it is protected in the amniotic sac.

But sometimes it's good to be careful. There are several conditions that make it better for you to avoid sex during pregnancy, such as:

Experiencing vaginal bleeding of unknown cause.
The amniotic fluid breaks.
The cervix begins to open prematurely.
Placenta previa.
You have a history of preterm labor or are at risk of preterm delivery.
You are pregnant with twins.

Check your pregnancy regularly at an obstetrician, to find out if your pregnancy is in good health and also to make sure it is safe to have intercourse.