Sex during pregnancy can be a complicated thing. There a variety of mental and emotional factors that go into it, such as increased or decreased libido, fears of hurting the baby, and issues of body image and self-consciousness. In addition, there are the sheer logistics of making sex work during pregnancy. Fortunately, there are some specific sexual positions that you and your spouse can use during pregnancy to overcome the physical difficulties.
The missionary position is often uncomfortable for a woman during pregnancy. The weight of the man’s body pushing on her abdomen can cause severe discomfort even in early pregnancy, and especially during later pregnancy when the woman’s abdomen has expanded. One variety of the missionary position, sometimes called Missionary on the Edge, will often work up until the beginning of the fifth month of pregnancy. For this position, the woman lays on her back at the foot of the bed with her knees bent. She should perch her feet at the edge of the mattress. The man then either stands or he kneels in front of her.
Another possible position for the first trimester is the “T-square.” In this position, the woman lies flat on her back, and the man lies perpendicular to her making the shape of a T-square.
One of the best positions during pregnancy is the Woman on top position. Sometimes known as the Cowgirl, this position takes all of the pressure off of the woman’s abdomen, and also allows her to control the speed and the depth of thrusting.
A sitting position can also be more comfortable during pregnancy. Here a man will sit on a chair or the edge of the bed. The woman then straddles the man, either facing him or facing away from him.
The rear entry position or “doggy style” position, involves the woman being down on all fours. The man enters from behind, standing or kneeling behind the woman. The woman can use pillows to support her stomach and chest, especially during later pregnancy. A variation of this position, the “leap frog,” has the woman resting her arms and her head on the mattress.
Often, during the last portion of pregnancy, spooning is a favored position. Both man and woman lie on their sides, with the man in the back, facing the woman’s back. This position keeps the weight off of the abdomen, and keeps penetration shallow, as deep penetration is sometimes uncomfortable later on in pregnancy.
