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Tips & Techniques

The Best Sex Positions While Pregnant

we’ve Got You Covered On The Best Penetrative Sex Positions - From First To Third Trimesters Of Pregnancy
by KK
19 Jan 2019

UPDATED: 2 Nov 2022

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 19 Jan 2019

Pregnancy is a little like Marmite. Some pregnant people thrive, enjoying every second of carrying their child for nine months. Others despise the experience. It may be all totally worth it, but pregnancy can be a rough ride. 

Many people get morning sickness, experience weight gain in what can feel like everywhere, feel a need to pee a thousand times a day, want to sob because they put their slippers on the wrong feet, and so many other side effects.

But the one we’re most interested in is the possible change of libido and the sensual alteration that can happen in genitals from the first to the third trimester. 

As the pregnancy develops, pregnant people find their mobility becomes increasingly limited. They’re carrying a literal human child in their belly, so riding their partner may be off the table for a little while.

(Or it may not. If they can do it and they’re comfortable, they should ride away!)

But what are the best sex positions during pregnancy? Which penetrative positions are the safest? Easiest? Most pleasurable? Today’s post sheds light on the answers most people need to get through the next 9 months with a very satisfying sex life. But first:

Does Being Pregnant Increase, Or Decrease The Libido?

Libido changes are a widespread side effect of pregnancy, and the truth is, it could go either way. A pregnant person could find that they want to jump their partner/s every second of every day, and even if they get what they desire, they may never feel totally satisfied.

Or, it could go the other way. Some people feel that the last thing they want in the entire world is to get down and dirty. Even if they had a high libido before discovering their positive pregnancy test, it could decrease pretty quickly afterwards. 

But don’t lose faith. If a pregnant person is restless and horny 24/7, or they feel suddenly like they never want to be touched again, we have reassurance for you: this will not last for an entire 9 months

Their libido will rise and fall throughout their pregnancy, so whichever side of the seesaw they’re on now, things may well change and develop over the course of their pregnancy.

Why Does Being Pregnant Alter The Libido?? 

Now that you’ve gained the reassurance you need that 

1.) There’s nothing wrong with the pregnant person you know

 and that

2.) An increased or decreased libido is a perfectly natural side effect to growing a human being inside of a body

you’re probably wondering why and how the libido is affected during pregnancy.

Pregnancy creates a surge of hormones in the brain. Two hormones that can impact the libido, and which are altered during pregnancy, are estrogen and progesterone. With a rush of these two hormones also comes an increased blood flow to the genitals, potentially making the libido skyrocket. 

But, there’s no bigger turn-off than physical sickness, fatigue, and stress. Combine them in a mixing pot, and you have an antidote to any increase in horniness. 

This is why it depends on the parent-to-be. If they struggle with severe morning sickness and their hormone levels have changed minimally, their libido is likely to decrease. If, however, they have a pregnancy with fewer challenging side-effects, they’re more likely to feel horny. 

What Is The Easiest Penetrative Position While Pregnant?

The easiest penetrative sex positions while pregnant reduce the weight on the pregnant person’s stomach and back. Lying on one side, for example, will relieve the pressure on the baby bump with no added weight on the back.

What Positions Are Safe For Pregnant  People?

It’s entirely natural for people to freak out about a penis or toy hitting the baby’s head. Some may chuckle, but it’s one of the most common fears about sex during pregnancy. This is categorically not possible – there’s a whole cervix in the way. 

Rest assured: sex during pregnancy is completely safe. Sex can actually feel better while someone is pregnant. 

This is because their hormones are altered (particularly estrogen and progesterone), which can create more of the natural vaginal lubricant. It also can turn the breast sensitivity right up, making nipple play potentially even more exciting. It is, however, important to choose the right sex positions while pregnant. 

There’s no danger here, but there is discomfort if the right positions aren’t selected. Also, just a quick reminder to always check with a doctor if sex is safe during pregnancy if you’ve had complications (the NHS website states: avoid sex if your waters have broken, you have any problems with the entrance of your womb, you’re having twins, or if you’ve had previous early labours and are in the later stage of pregnancy). Also, try to avoid positions where you’re lying on your back (though it may be tempting as it’s the ‘easiest’ position to do), such as missionary. This is because when the pregnant person hits the second trimester of pregnancy, it can reduce blood flow and give them heart palpitations, which can be uncomfortable and cause light-headedness.

Have a glance through these positions, which will allow most pregnant people to have some fun throughout all three of their trimesters.

Sex Positions While Pregnant: The First Trimester

Missionary Position In The First Trimester

The missionary position is totally safe in the first trimester. The pregnant person will want to keep pressure off of their stomach, so their partner should try to keep their weight off their bump by supporting themselves with their arms. 

Scissoring During Your First Trimester

If you can’t get past the fear of poking the baby’s head (though rest assured this wouldn’t happen), then this position allows the pregnant person to have a shallower amount of penetration. It’s also gentle and romantic. Furthermore, the partner’s pelvis can rub against the pregnant person’s clit, and due to the increased blood pressure, this can feel incredible.

X Position During Your First Trimester 

Yeah, this is a little adventurous. But we recommend taking advantage of being able to do this position before the bump begins to grow. Once the pregnant person hits the second – and definitely the third trimester – this position will be near impossible. 

Start in missionary, and then have the partner on top slide their chest and legs off of the pregnant person’s body so that, with the pregnant individual beneath their partner the two bodies form a kind of ‘x’ shape. It is important to keep pressure off of the pregnant person’s stomach, so using pillows the partner on top should prop themselves up above the mattress. 

Looping During Your First Trimester

The pregnant person won’t be able to lay on their back soon, so take advantage of this sex position. 

Lay flat, as though you are in the missionary position, but have the pregnant person wrap their legs around their partner’s waist or, if they’re feeling flexible, shoulders. This allows the pregnant person to control the penetration, pulling their partner or their toy in further with their legs should they want it. The pregnant person will also have their chest wholly exposed in this position, and, as stated earlier, it will be ultra-sensitive.

Sex Positions While Pregnant: The Second Trimester 

The best penetrative sex positions for the second trimester of pregnancy will alter from person to person. Now’s the time to get exploring as the baby bump isn’t too big yet. The most popular sex positions for the second trimester are spooning, doggy, cowperson and missionary. 

Is Doggy Style Safe In The Second Trimester?

Doggy style is perfectly safe in the second trimester of pregnancy. 

Have the pregnant person get on all fours and have their partner enter them with a toy or penis from behind. The pregnant person can take over the movements to ensure they’re getting as much or as little penetration as they want. 

Should they have any back pain during this position, the pregnant person can pop a pillow underneath their chest and lay down with their rear end raised slightly. The partner will also have complete access to the pregnant person’s clit in this position, which can be especially sensitive during pregnancy. 

The Hot Seat During The Second Trimester 

This is a little trickier than doggy style due to the bump, but it can be totally worth it. 

It’s almost like a reverse cowperson, but with the partner underneath sitting up. The partner’s hands are entirely free to caress the pregnant person’s body. 

This position allows the pregnant person to take control and find the angle that gives them the most pleasure and comfort.

Pregnant Person On Top During The Second Trimester

This position allows the pregnant person to set the tone – controlling the amount of penetration and speed to experiment with what works best for them. 

Again, their chest is exposed, and they can grind their clit against their partner’s pubic bone/genitals. Have the pregnant person climb aboard their partner with their partner’s knees slightly open and their legs propped up. This way the pregnant person  can rest their back against their partner’s legs. They’re  in the driving seat, so let them loose and drive away!

Penetrative Sex Positions While Pregnant: The Third Trimester 

Spooning Sex During The Third Trimester

As the pregnant person is lying on their side, they are taking off any pressure on their back and uterus, allowing for more comfort. 

While you can use this position at any stage during a pregnancy, it truly shines for the second and third trimesters because it doesn’t allow super deep penetration and it can be gentle and loving. 

It’s always recommended by Terri Vanderlinde, M.D., a gynecologist and sexual medicine counsellor, that the pregnant person should have a tilt by putting a pillow underneath them. It helps keep the baby’s weight off of the vena cava, a large vein running under the right side of the uterus.

Reverse Cowgirl During The Third Trimester

Again, the pregnant person is in control of their pleasure here. The bump is also free from knocking against the partner as the pregnant person is facing the other way. In this position the pregnant person can move back and forth to find the right angle, speed, and penetration level. 

Have the partner lay down, and support the pregnant person as they climb on top, facing the other way. In this position, during the third trimester, if the partner has a penis it is safest to move the pregnant person’s body up and down rather than back and forth. 

Table Top During The Third Trimester

The table top is a comfortable position for the pregnant person, and it gives their partner easy access. You’ll need a countertop, table, or desk that the pregnant person can sit comfortably and safely on. Make sure the pregnant person takes a seat towards the edge of the surface, and have their partner support their legs as the pregnant person is penetrated.  

Is It Safe To Have Sex While Pregnant?  

If nothing else, we hope that you’ve taken this post as reassurance. Sex during pregnancy is not dangerous. Some positions will be trickier than others, and some positions will feel better. 

When it comes down to it, every person’s pregnancy will be different, and therefore, the positions they enjoy will vary from person to person. 

The main things to remember are: 

  • Communicate with each other – allow them to understand the changes occuring  throughout the pregnancy, both physically and emotionally. This is true for both of you – it’s not just the person carrying the child who will experience emotional changes!
  • Guide each other – it can be easy to become timid, but this is your shared time to shine. For the partner carrying the baby make sure you reap the benefits of being touched precisely the way you want. 
  • Be careful – always begin slowly and gently to gauge whether it feels good. Increase in speed and pressure in increments, and ensure you keep talking to each other. 
  • Have fun – sure, pregnancy can be hard, but there are perks to everything. Sex will feel different while you’re pregnant, so explore it and have fun!