If you’ve made it through the morning sickness and fatigue that most women experience during the first trimester of pregnancy, then chances are you’ve noticed that the second trimester brings a marked increase in libido. In fact, this is potentially one of the best times in your life for sex.
However, while you’re probably feeling more like sex than before, you may have noticed that sex feels different. Your pregnancy hormones have kicked in which means your body will feel differently for a few months.
That’s because of a few things. First of all, your body is preparing for the rest of your pregnancy and the birth by pumping more blood into your vagina. This means it is ‘fuller’ and can make sex feel ‘tighter.’ Increased blood flow to the pelvic area causes engorgement of the genitals and, which is great for some women. This same engorgement that heightens the pleasure gives other women an uncomfortable feeling of fullness after intercourse ends. And sometimes, women find sex painful during pregnancy.
Some women feel abdominal cramps during or after intercourse as the orgasm can set off a wave of contractions. These contractions are particularly noticeable in the third trimester. This can be unpleasant, but give it a few minutes. The tightening of your uterus will ease much like they do when you have Braxton-Hicks contractions.
You may also have noticed an increase in lubrication. Again, this is completely normal.
Your breasts are also feeling different – they’re probably a lot more sensitive than they were before you were pregnant. All of this accounts for the ‘different’ experience you are having.
Make sure that your partner understands these changes, and that what once worked may not have the same effect anymore. Give him directions about what you want, and you don’t want, and you’ll soon find that you discover ways to make sex as much fun, if not more, than before you were pregnant.
