Best Sex Positions during pregnancy

Imagine going 9 months without sex. Wait-why would you ever want to do that? Pregnancy doesn't mean sex is out of the question-in fact, that's when many women find themselves wanting it more than ever. 

There is no need to sacrifice sexual pleasure just because you are expecting. Vaginal sex is generally safe during pregnancy unless a health care provider has informed you otherwise (this may be the case, for instance, if there is concern over preterm labor or if the mother has unexplained vaginal bleeding) so enjoy these nine months of sex free from worry over unintended pregnancy! Since most sexual positions are perfectly safe, it is up to you and your partner to determine which are the most comfortable and enjoyable for you.

There are some caveats to this, however. Although sex and orgasm are unlikely to trigger premature birth or harm the fetus (it is naturally protected by the amniotic sac in the uterus and the mucus plug that blocks the cervix during pregnancy), certain sexual activities are not recommended. For instance, anal sex may introduce bacteria from the rectum into the vagina, which may affect the fetus. Additionally, if you and your partner have oral sex, avoid blowing air into the mother's vagina. On rare occasions this may cause a blocked blood vessel which could be life threatening to the mother and fetus. One more thing to keep in mind is that, even though there is no chance of getting pregnant, sexual contact could lead to the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that may be harmful to the fetus. To prevent transmission, expectant mothers can use condoms with new partners, non-monogamous partners, or partners with STIs or unknown STI status.

There are several positions for pregnant women that are both comfortable and safe. So if you haven't already tried them, go for it.

• Position one: Woman on Top

Lower yourself onto your partner, either facing him or facing his feet. Many women find their nipples are incredibly sensitive when they're pregnant, so if you're facing him, make sure he kisses them.

• Position two: The New Missionary Position

The classic missionary position obviously doesn't work with a bump, but this one does. You lie on your back, knees drawn back with your feet resting on your partner's chest, or with your legs straight up and resting against your partner (a good hamstring stretch this one). Your partner kneels between your legs to enter you, so there is no weight on your stomach. You might find it more comfortable with a pillow under your bottom.

• Position three: Side by Side

You and your partner lie side by side, facing each other. You can drape your left over your partner's body. This is not really very practical in the third trimester as the bump gets in the way.

• Position four: Spooning

You lie on your side, in a curled position. Your partner lies behind you and enters you from behind. Penetration is shallow, so this can be a comfortable position during late pregnancy.

• Position five: From Behind

You are on all fours on the bed (or wherever), leaning down on pillows with your partner kneeling and entering you from behind. Or, try bending over the bed (supported by pillows) with your partner standing and entering from behind. This is what is medically termed a maximum penetration position, so do tell your partner if it gets painful.

• Position six: Sitting

In this position, you straddle your partner while he is sitting on a sturdy, comfortable chair or on the edge of the bed. You can also sit in an armchair, upright or leaning back slightly, with your legs around your partner, who is kneeling in front of you.

Some women find that their sex drive actually increases during pregnancy because of the increased blood flow to their reproductive organs so canoodle away and look at these nine months as time to connect to your partner in a way that you never have before!