Bleeding After Love Making During Pregnancy: Causes & Remedies

Pregnancy is not a reason for sex to be a forgotten term in your relationship. In fact, pregnancy actually enhances the love making process for most women, because breasts are highly sensitive the vagina has increased blood flow, which heightens the sensation. Most women, or their partners do not try to engage in sex as much while pregnant out of fear that they might harm their baby.

The key things to remember are:

Your baby is very well protected in your uterus, which is sitting safely above your vagina
A thick, protective mucus plug seals the cervix and your baby is surrounded by the warm, amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac

It can however, be very disturbing to discover that you are bleeding, or spotting after a very passionate round of love making.

What causes bleeding after sex when pregnant?

You are not likely to suffer a miscarriage during pregnancy because you had sex.

During pregnancy, bleeding can occur due to increased blood supply to the vagina and cervical region. There are numerous little blood vessels present around the softened cervix normally. During pregnancy, they are increased and twice as soft. Rough or vigorous sex may rupture them and cause a light blood loss. You can try to be gentler the next time; however, this does not guarantee that you will not suffer blood loss again.

How to prevent bleeding during sex when pregnant

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Having sex more gently than usual
Using a water-based lubricant to avoid irritation to the vagina or cervix
Experimenting with different positions, such as rear entry positions, (doggy style) which put less pressure on the uterus

Some women, particularly as the pregnancy advances, prefer other forms of intimacy such as cuddling or massages. Whatever your preference, have an open communication with your partner.

Seek medical help if you have any of these symptoms after sex while pregnant:

Intense cramping and severe pain in the lower abdomen
Profuse vaginal bleeding, whether painful or painless
Vaginal discharge containing tissue
Fainting or dizziness
High temperature with or without chills
If you develop contractions that get stimulated after sexual activity and that are present even after the act

Note to remember

Bleeding at any time whatsoever during pregnancy, even sex should always be reported to your doctor immediately.