While sex during pregnancy is safe for most women, there are times when it is more risky. A woman’s doctor can provide the best advice on her individual situation. However, women with the following conditions should probably avoid vaginal sex and discuss other forms of sexual activity with their doctor:
- Risk for miscarriage. Pregnant women may be at greater risk for miscarriage if they have infections, trauma, or hormonal issues. Older pregnant women are more likely to miscarry than younger ones. Lifestyle choices are also important to consider. Pregnant women who smoke, use drugs, or consume too much caffeine run a higher risk of miscarriage. Women who are malnourished or who have been exposed to radiation or toxic substances are also at greater risk.
- Risk for preterm labor. Any woman can go into labor prematurely. But certain issues increase the risk, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, genital tract infections, stress, anemia, and vaginal bleeding. Women who use of tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs are more likely to go into preterm labor, as are women who receive insufficient prenatal care. Women who are carrying more than one fetus (twins, triplets, etc.) or who have had multiple miscarriages are also at greater risk.
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding. This situation could be a sign of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilized egg starts growing outside the uterus), problems with the placenta, or uterine rupture.
- Incompetent cervix. An incompetent cervix, sometimes called a weakened cervix, occurs when the weight of a growing baby puts pressure on the cervix. This can make the cervix open before it’s time for delivery. Women may be more likely to have an incompetent cervix if they have had a difficult labor, cervical surgery, or cervical trauma [such as a dilation and curettage (D & C) procedure] in the past. A weakened cervix can also happen if a woman has had a malformed uterus or cervix from birth or if she has been exposed to DES (diethylstilbestrol), a synthetic form of estrogen.
- Leaking of amniotic fluid. If a woman is leaking amniotic fluid, it could be a sign that she is about to start labor.
- Placenta previa. This condition occurs when the placenta forms lower in the uterus and covers the cervix. Risk factors for placenta previa include tobacco and cocaine use, past uterine surgeries, and past caesarian deliveries (C-sections). Women are also at higher risk if they have had placenta previa before, if they have had five or more pregnancies, or if they are over age 35.