Pregnancy Sex At 8 Months: Dos and Don’ts

Pregnancy Sex At 8 Months: Dos and Don’ts

17 May 2022 | 5 min Read

Reema Shah

Author | 740 Articles

At 8 months pregnant, you’re in the middle of the third trimester and your baby bump is large. If you are wondering whether or not you can have sex during this period, here’s a guide for you. There are certain safe positions that can be pleasurable while keeping your baby safe.

Read on to learn more about the safety tips and what positions to avoid when you are 8 months pregnant. 

Body Changes During 8 Months of Pregnancy

Your baby keeps growing and can be anywhere between 19 and 21 inches long. You may also get stretch marks as the skin expands. As the uterus grows upwards, you may feel more tired and have difficulty in breathing. The urge to urinate may become more frequent because of the pressure from your uterus on the bladder.

Here are some additional symptoms-

  • Heartburn
  • Back pain
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Achy abdomen
  • Fatigue
  • Anxiety
  • Itchy skin
  • General discomfort due to the growing size of the tummy

Here are some things that happen to your baby-

  • Your baby kicks more
  • The lungs may still be immature
  • Kidneys get matured
  • Baby inhales amniotic fluid to make the lungs work
  • Baby’s skin turns opaque instead of transparent

Is Sex During 8 Months of Pregnancy Safe?

If you have had a healthy pregnancy throughout, sex is safe given that you follow certain safe positions. Your baby is covered by the amniotic fluid in your uterus and the walls of your uterus are strong too. Hence,  the baby is safe.

Sex will not affect your baby as long as you don’t have placenta issues or preterm labour. There are certain sex positions that should be avoided to not cause any problems to the mum and baby.

If a mum-to-be has had a healthy pregnancy, sex during the third trimester is safe / Credit – Pexels

Safe Sex Positions During 8 Months Of Pregnancy

Here are some comfortable and enjoyable sex positions that are safe even during the 8th month of pregnancy.

Woman On Top

You get to control the pace and the level of penetration when you are on top of your partner. Hence, it avoids the weight off your belly. Just be careful when lowering yourself on top of your partner. Do it gently as he lies down on his back.

Modify The Missionary 

The classic missionary position is to be avoided during late pregnancy. Your large belly size makes it uncomfortable for you and your partner.. Additionally, your partner may end up putting too much pressure on the uterus because of the big bump. Lying on your back may make you feel dizzy too.

But you can modify the position using a pillow or cushion to level yourself a little higher. Your partner will have to support himself to avoid leaning on your belly. By keeping the pillow under you for support, lie down by keeping your face up. Bend your knees and keep your bottom at the edge of the bed. Depending on your bed’s height, your partner can then either stand or kneel between your legs. 

Side by Side

In this position, both partners lie on the sides while facing each other. Rest your legs over your partner’s hips. This position gives the intimacy of a missionary position as both of you face each other while avoiding the discomfort of you having to lie down on your back. 

Spooning

This is similar to the side-by-side position except that your partner enters from behind by cuddling you. You both face in the same direction by curling up a little bit. 

All Fours 

In this position, you support yourself on your knees and hands. You may use a pillow to support your bump as your partner kneels behind you. Ensure that you take it slow and let your partner know your comfort as this position gives your partner the control of the level of penetration.

Scans to see the development and position of the baby will help the doctor tell you if having sex is safe / Credit – Pexels

When To Avoid Sex

Here are some circumstances when you should avoid sex- 

  • Vaginal bleedingCheck with your doctor for any bleeding every time. Get a go-ahead from your doctor if you have experienced vaginal bleeding before you resume sexual activity. This is because sex may cause further bleeding.
  • If your cervix is weak.
  • If the placenta is unusually low in your womb which is a condition called placenta previa. This condition causes bleeding and other complications.
  • If your waters break, the baby is less protected and has the risk of contracting infections and bacteria.
  • If you have more discharge than normal which is one of the signs of preterm labour or feel pressure in the pelvic area, then you need to avoid sex. Additionally, if your contractions are over four per hour, then it is better to avoid having sex. 

Many mums-to-be experience reduced sexual libido for multiple reasons. It could be reasons like pregnancy hormone changes or prioritising other important things. A bond can be built in many other ways if you do not feel like having sex. Make sure you and your partner support each other during the process. 

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Suggestions offered by doctors on BabyChakra are of advisory nature i.e., for educational and informational purposes only. Content posted on, created for, or compiled by BabyChakra is not intended or designed to replace your doctor's independent judgment about any symptom, condition, or the appropriateness or risks of a procedure or treatment for a given person.