For expectant mothers and fathers, the expectation of a child is one of the most enjoyable periods in life. A woman treats her body with care. She tries to keep the right diet, spend a lot of time in the fresh air. Many spouses are also interested in the question: “Do I need to be protected during pregnancy?” After all, partners worry that intimate relationships can harm a future mother and embryo.
Ambiguous answer
Even specialists do not agree on the safety of unprotected sex during child bearing. The rejection of contraception in this period has both pros and cons. Therefore, a clear answer to the question of whether to protect yourself during pregnancy does not exist. Some doctors believe that unprotected intimate contacts are dangerous for the future mother and child, as they can provoke infections. Others argue that in the absence of individual sperm intolerance and health problems, pregnant women can forget about contraception. Both points of view are reasonable. However, each couple, depending on the well-being of the woman and the characteristics of the period of gestation, decides for herself whether to protect herself during pregnancy.
Some spouses claim that sexual relations during this period become more vivid, and even signs of toxicosis do not impair the quality of sex. Many future parents forget about condoms, which they used to have to use constantly. However, it should not be forgotten that the functioning of the immune system worsens in expectant mothers. As a result, there is a high risk of infection with candidiasis and sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, a woman is able to infect a partner. During the period of gestation, due to hypothermia and ignoring hygiene standards, an expectant mother may develop inflammation of the bladder. It is accompanied by a cut in the lower part of the peritoneum, frequent excretion of urine with an admixture of blood. The ailment is explained by the fact that on the surface of the genital organs there are small cracks through which microbes enter the body during sex. Many infectious pathologies are dangerous not only for the mother, but also for the embryo.
Candidiasis during gestation
Speaking about prevention during pregnancy, one should not forget about the likelihood of such an ailment as thrush. Future mothers who abuse desserts and smoked meats disrupt the immune system.
Such women are often diagnosed with candidiasis. Microorganisms located in the partner's seminal fluid, in the presence of a favorable environment, take root in the pregnant woman's body. Infection of a man is also possible, so the expectant mother should be careful about her health and the condition of her spouse. To protect yourself from this problem, it is recommended to use a condom as a method of contraception.
Superfetation
This phenomenon is extremely rare. Not more than ten cases are registered in the world. Superfetation is a fertilization process that occurred during the period of gestation. It is explained by the maturation and fertilization of several gametes during one cycle of menstruation. Babies born under similar circumstances are not considered twins. Children are born on the same day, but their development proceeds in different ways. The health problems in these babies are not diagnosed. The fear of superfetation explains why couples ask about whether to protect themselves during pregnancy.
There are very few spouses who have become parents of such children. But, in order to avoid this phenomenon, expectant mothers should use contraception.
Prevention of early gestation
In the absence of health problems, a woman can make love in the first months after conception. However, do not forget about the high probability of developing infectious pathologies.
The answer to the question of whether it is necessary to protect yourself during pregnancy is affirmative if the expectant mother or her partner has a viral disease. In the case where there is no danger of infection, contraception can be neglected. But do not forget about hygiene. In the presence of infections, experts advise using a condom.
Second trimester contraception
At this time, many expectant mothers notice an increase in sexual desire. However, some women refuse to make love, fearing to harm the health of the unborn baby. Should I be protected during pregnancy? Doctors' reviews indicate that damage to the embryo in the second trimester is impossible, since it is firmly protected by placental tissues. However, the use of contraceptives is desirable to prevent infections.
Is it worth protecting yourself at the late stage of bearing the fetus?
At this time, the woman becomes less active, but sexual contact is allowed. In the presence of viral pathologies of the reproductive system, partners need to use a condom. However, in the absence of infectious ailments, you can forget about contraception. The penetration of seminal fluid into the body of a woman helps to facilitate the delivery process. The fact is that sperm contains substances that make the cervix more plastic, help it open.
In what cases is it acceptable to refuse contraception?
So, the methods of protection during pregnancy can be neglected if:
- The expectant mother has no health problems.
- Medical examinations confirm the absence of infectious ailments in the partner.
- A woman has never noticed an allergy to seminal fluid.
In these situations, intimate contacts will bring a woman only benefit. Such sex supplies the body with substances that make pregnancy easier.
Methods of contraception during lactation
After delivery, many women are interested in the question of how to avoid conception in the future. This is the period when you should be careful about the use of medicines. Pregnancy protection during breastfeeding can be carried out in the following ways:
- Means that do not contain hormones. These drugs do not affect the baby's body.
- Barrier methods of protection. They are safe, do not alter the composition of milk and can be used immediately after delivery. If a woman chooses a diaphragm as contraception, she should consult a specialist.
Upon examination, the doctor will determine the depth of the vagina and its shape. These indicators change after delivery. Therefore, the aperture must be selected based on the new parameters. - Contraceptives, which include progesterone. These funds do not affect the lactation process and do not cause ailments in children.
- The use of an IUD is also possible during lactation. Their introduction is best done 6-7 weeks after delivery. During lactation, such funds do not cause discomfort and bleeding in women. In the presence of infection, the IUD must be abandoned until complete recovery.
- Sterilization. The method is used both for women and for the stronger sex. But remember: the consequences of this method are irreversible. If the couple decided on it, they should know for sure that they no longer want children.
A natural contraceptive for lactation is not recommended. At this time, women do not have regular monthly bleeding. This means that it cannot be established when the gamete is ripening. The use of COCs during lactation is also undesirable.
This method negatively affects the health of the mother and baby. Temporary abstinence from sex is another method of protection during pregnancy. But not everyone is ready to give up sexual acts for a long time.