Women behave differently during pregnancy, Are you pregnant and thinking about sex all the time, or you’re the type who getting intimate is the last thing on your mind? Either way, having an increased desire for sex or seemingly lower libido is acceptable during pregnancy.
Let your body take the lead. When I was expecting my firstborn son, my sex drive was high. I’d skip work just to have quickies at home. For my second and third born, I didn’t want to see my husband, let alone get sexual with him.
If you have an insatiable appetite for sex, be assured it is safe for low-risk pregnancies. Have fun until the last week before labour, or even the last day – if you can handle it.
But, can your water break during sex?
Can Your Water Break During Sex – Details Explanation
Can having sex break your water? The simple answer is no. Your water cannot break due to having sex with your partner. Referred by doctors as rupture of the membranes, water breaks due to weakening of the sac containing amniotic fluid, often as labor approaches. If the membranes rupture earlier than usual, it could be due to poor nutrition, too much water in the uterus, issues with your uterus or infections – and not sex.
Is it Okay to Have Sex When Pregnant?
Before getting deeper into the issue of can your water break while having sex, is intercourse safe for you? It is perfectly okay to engage in sex once your doctor confirms your pregnancy as low-risk.Â
Intercourse can’t harm your baby since the amniotic fluid cushions your baby against danger. Additionally, the surrounding uterus muscles have a contracting ability to offer maximum protection. Also, sex touches your vagina, not the uterus.
However, with a growing belly, be creative in discovering comfortable positions for you and your little one. Towards the last trimester, you may experience fatigue. It’s true nothing can harm you during sex, but allow your body to guide you.
When Should I Avoid Sex During Pregnancy?
While you may find sex at this time more enjoyable, don’t throw caution to the wind. Avoid sex if you have the below reasons:
1. Bleeding- In pregnancy, occasional spotting is normal, but bleeding is dangerous. This isn’t specifically during intercourse but at any point within the nine months.
2. Breaking of water (Rupturing of membranes) – if your water breaks, it leaves the baby without cover/protection. At this point, penetration could cause infections.
3. If you have a history of preterm births or premature rupture of the membrane, sex could be risky.
4. Previous incidences of multiple births or premature labor
5. Cervical insufficiency (incompetent cervix) – if your doctor diagnoses weak cervical tissues, sex may cause miscarriage.
How Do I Know if My Water is Broken?
Assuming the membranes rupture, you’ll feel some pressure, then popping like that of a balloon. When the sac breaks amniotic fluid starts to leak. Often you may confuse the warm liquid with urine as it’s mixed with the baby’s urine.
That said, how can you distinguish amniotic fluid from other body fluids?
1. Color
Amniotic fluid has a clear, milky-white color. Sometimes, it has some shade of pale yellow with traces of blood.
2. Smell/ scent
Unlike urine and other vaginal discharges with a strong scent, Amniotic fluid is odorless.
3. Sensation
A Majority of women feel when their water breaks. It comes with a sweet sensation like that of balloons popping. Next, the liquid gushes out.
4. Texture
Amniotic fluid isn’t thick, milky and mucus-like. It is thin with a watery texture.
5. Quantity/Amount
The amount of amniotic fluid varies from person to person. Depending on the amount available in your sac, you may get a constant flow or just a few drops.
The question, can your water break during intercourse is debatable. While it is still an area under study, water can break by coincidence when having a good time and your baby’s due date is near. Knowing what the fluid looks and feels like is wise for you to decide when to seek your doctor’s advice.
When is it Premature For Water to Break?
Now that we’ve resolved the concern, “can your water break while having intercourse, “let’s understand when a rupture of membranes –which is risky – is termed premature?
According to NIH, premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is when the rupture occurs before 37 weeks of gestation.
When water breaks earlier than 37 weeks, it could be risky since your baby may be underdeveloped. Call your doctor immediately. If there are no signs of labor yet, he may induce or put you on medication such as antibiotics, magnesium sulphate or steroid injections to protect you and your munchkin.
What to Do if Your Water Breaks During Sexual Intercourse
First, stop the action right away. The absence of amniotic fluid exposes your baby to dangerous infections. If it happens past 37 weeks, it may not be so risky. However, talk to your doctor about the way forward.
After water breaking, it may be a medical emergency if you note the following:
- Fever or high temperature, mostly 37.5 degrees
- A Smelly amniotic fluid
- Constant bleeding
- AÂ greenish-black amniotic fluid
- Swelling, tenderness and soreness around the belly area
Visit a healthcare provider for monitoring to save you and your baby’s life.
Wrapping Up
Pregnancy presents crazy cravings. Some crave dry chicken poop, and others crave sex. The issue of can your water break during sex is usually on the minds of partners who enjoy getting intimate during this season.
Sex can’t cause water to break, but other factors such as infections, nutritional deficiencies and cervical issues could weaken the membranes leading to premature rupturing. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found premature rupture of membranes to make up 8 to 10 percent of all pregnancies.
That said, I’d advise you to exercise caution once your membranes rupture for whatever reason. Check the amniotic fluid’s color and texture to see if it’s abnormal. Further, call your doctor immediately to seek medical attention for you and your baby.
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