The Female Orgasm
They can be good, bad, or indifferent. They can last for a brief second, a minute, or (if you’re lucky) longer. Perhaps you’ve had lots of them or maybe you’ve never had one at all. Whatever your experience, you and your partner are probably both intrigued by it: the female orgasm. And now that you are pregnant, you may find that you are more intrigued than ever! Orgasm during pregnancy has long been seen as a taboo and even dangerous act. But actually, orgasms can be quite healthy for both you and your baby, and are often better than ever during pregnancy! So light some candles, grab your partner, and head for the bedroom!
What is an Orgasm?
An orgasm is actually defined as the "peak of sexual excitement". Experienced by both men and women, orgasms play a role in the whole pregnancy process: men need to orgasm to deposit sperm near the cervix; women orgasm to help draw sperm into the uterus. But, most importantly, orgasms also help to make sexual intercourse a whole lot more fun and enjoyable!
During an orgasm, all of the sexual excitement that you have been experiencing is released in one big rush. As you work up to orgasm, your body begins to change: your heart rate increases, your blood pressure goes up, and your skin begins to sweat. There are physical changes as well.
The muscles in your uterus and vagina will rhythmically contract and relax, and the muscles and joints in your arms and legs may go rigid. Though this sounds unpleasant, it is actually a wonderful experience for most women. But what do orgasms feel like during pregnancy and are they actually safe?
Orgasm Safety
The issue of female orgasm during pregnancy is actually quite controversial. There are many different myths and theories about orgasms during pregnancy, so you may be worried about whether or not it is safe to orgasm at all.
In the past, it was thought that female orgasms could trigger preterm labor. This is because orgasms actually cause your uterus to contract. During orgasm, the hormone oxytocin is released. This hormone is also responsible for triggering labor contractions. This led many health care providers to advise against orgasms during pregnancy. Thankfully, we now know that the uterine contractions caused by orgasm are actually entirely normal. They will not lead to preterm labor in women who are experiencing healthy pregnancies, and they cannot cause your cervix to dilate or efface.
Avoiding the Big ‘O’
Though it is now accepted that orgasms are perfectly safe for most pregnant women, there are some situations in which orgasms are not advised. Women who are at risk for preterm labor should not have orgasms, as they could increase the risk of kicking off labor contractions. If you are worried about having an orgasm during pregnancy, speak with your health care provider.
Feelin’ It
Orgasms are typically always enjoyable, but you may find that you enjoy them more than ever during pregnancy. This is because of the increased blood flow to your pelvic region.
During intercourse, your labia, clitoris, and vagina become sensitive thanks to the increased circulation of blood and fluids in your body. When you are pregnant, though, you’re likely to be extra sensitive since you already have more blood flowing through your body all the time. This means that you’ll likely find it much easier to climax and your orgasms may even last significantly longer than usual. Many women also happily report that they enjoy multiple orgasms during pregnancy, so get ready!
And for those of you who typically don’t climax during intercourse, you may orgasm for the first time during pregnancy!
What About those Cramps?
If you have been having regular intercourse throughout your pregnancy, you may have been noticing some peculiar abdominal cramps after orgasm. This is nothing to worry about. Cramping after climaxing is normal and is experienced by most pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester of pregnancy. These cramps are actually the same muscle contractions that you felt during orgasms before pregnancy. These cramps now feel stronger because your uterus has grown in size and because of the release of the hormone oxytocin. These contractions can last anywhere between thirty minutes and one hour.
Does Baby Catch On?
You may be wondering if your baby knows just what you and your partner are up to when you are having sex. Well, rest assured, your baby cannot see you or your partner, and thus will remain oblivious to the fact that you are having sex during pregnancy. However, there is some evidence to show that babies do experience the same sensation of euphoria that you do when you orgasm.
It is thought that babies gain a heightened sense of happiness because of the release of endorphins during sexual intercourse. Endorphins are special hormones that help to relieve pain. You may be familiar with the "rush" that you get after a tough workout or after eating a chocolate bar; these rushes are also caused by endorphins. Endorphins can travel through your blood, causing your baby (and you) to feel happy and relaxed. Don’t worry though – this is entirely safe for baby.
Orgasms to Induce Labor
You may have heard of couples who have engaged in sexual activity in order to naturally induce labor. Well, it has been shown that female orgasms can kick start labor contractions when they occur in the late stages of pregnancy. This is because of the fact that orgasm can cause your body to release oxytocin, a hormone which causes labor contractions. So, if you are past your due date and sick of waiting for baby, speak with your health care provider about engaging in sex to induce labor.
Things to Watch For
While sex during pregnancy can be a lot of fun, there are certain warning signs to look out for when you are experiencing orgasms. Warning signs include:
- very painful contractions
- uterine cramps lasting longer than one hour
- unusual or heavy vaginal bleeding
Though rare, these signs could indicate that you are experiencing preterm labor or miscarriage, and you should visit with your health care provider immediately.
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