Third trimester
Desire for sexual activity may be decreasing towards the final stages of pregnancy especially as new discomforts occur:
- frequent mictuition
- engaged head causing the pelvic discomfort
- haemorrhoids
- symphyseal separation (in some women)
Couple has most likely changed the position by now or may need to consider to do so due to advancing pregnancy. Changing the positions allows then partners to discover the ones which are comfortable and satisfying for both of them (Coppens, 2002).
Implications for practice
As the abdomen is enlarging missionary position may be causing more discomfort as woman is lying on her back with her partner's weight on top! Midwife can therefore suggests other positions, such as:
- side-by-side (spooning) position
- woman on top (which helps her to control the depth of penetration)
- position with woman kneeling, crouching or lying in front of a man
As sexual desire tends to decrease during this trimester couple may find helpful to continue kissing, hugging and caressing which allows them to continue being physically close and connected (Polomeno, 2000).
Recent studies have shown that sexual activity is believed to be associated with premature labour and onset of labour. However Sayle et al. (2001) in his study reports no evidence of association of sexual activity with premature labour and according to Shaffir (2006) the result of his study indicates no association of coitus and its frequency with onset of labour.
On the other hand, Coppens (2002) suggests that semen contains some compounds found in prostaglandin which may induce the labour as the same compounds have been present in amniotic fluid and women's circulation during labour although many researchers remain sceptical!