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Second Trimester

Time when body has adjusted to pregnancy and minor disorders such as nausea or tiredness disappear.

Woman's changing shape is more obvious which according to Aston (2001) can cause two types of reaction:

  1. Woman might view these changes positively and feel attractive
  2. Woman might view herself as ugly and fat assuming this is how her partner views her as well.

According to Bartellas et al. (2000) study, men's view of attractiveness of woman's changing body varies:

  • In 24% of men increases
  • In 10% of men decreases
  • In 65% remains the same as pre-pregnancy
PArtner's view of attractiveness of the woman during pregnancy

Majority of couples find second trimester a time of exploring and experimenting as in many women's their libido is heightened (Coppens, 2002).

Since there is an increased blood flow to the pelvic area, it is a time when many women experience their first orgasm (Polomeno, 2000).

Implications for practice

Couples may be advised on changing positions, as growing abdomen may cause discomfort, and introducing other sexual activities such as:

  • fantasising
  • mutual masturbation
  • erotic massage
  • kissing
  • oral or anal sex
(Bartellas et al., 2000; Coppens, 2002)

Nonetheless, some couples choose to abstain from sexual activities leading to orgasm as the uterus has a tendency to contract. Therefore they believe it may cause premature labour or harm the baby. However, according to Aston (2001) and Sayle et al. (2001) these contractions are not harmful and have no ill effect on the pregnancy.

Both women and their partners should be encouraged to express and discuss their feelings as the pregnancy advances. This is important due to tendency of women focusing on the baby leaving their partners feeling left out which can lead to estranging of the couple (Coppens, 2002).

Pregnant women are more prone to infections therefore midwife should advise women that introduction of anything into vagina, such as sex toys, should be avoided as it increases likelihood of potential infection (Coppens, 2002).

Couple can continue to use other techniques of being intimate such as touch, cuddling, kissing, massage and all forms of caresses (Polomeno, 2000).