Sexual activity during pregnancy: Risk factor or protection?

Prenatal care should include discussions of sexuality and sexual activity d uring pregnancy. These discussions should be based on evidence in the medic al literature rather than on personal opinion, but many obstetric textbooks contain little information on sexuality during pregnancy. Most studies hav e concluded that sexual intercourse is not a risk factor for a normal pregn ancy. Genital, non-genital, oral, manual, anal or other sexual activity can be practiced. There are few data on which to base recommendations for pati ents with complicated pregnancies. Pregnancy is not a period of reduced sex ual risk. Obstetricians should advise patients at risk for sexually transmi tted diseases to use condoms. About 16 cases of life-threatening air insuff lation due to oral-genital contact have been reported. Sexual activity may help stabilize a relationship during pregnancy and beyond delivery. In a ph ase of multiple modification, sexual activity facilitates a positive body i mage and acceptance of the pregnancy and pregnancy-associated changes. Sexu al activity may help counteract mutual estrangement. A good sexual relation ship does not necessarily mean active sexual activity or a certain frequenc y of sexual activity. Expectant parents should be encouraged to maintain ad equate individual sexuality during pregnancy and beyond.