Do I need to protect myself during pregnancy: hormonal and physiological changes in a woman's body, the necessary conditions for conception and explanations of gynecologists

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

For expectant mothers and fathers, waiting for a baby is one of the most enjoyable times in life. A woman treats her body with care. She tries to follow the right diet, spend a lot of time outdoors. Many spouses are also interested in the question: “Do I need to protect myself during pregnancy?” After all, partners are worried that intimate relationships can harm the expectant mother and embryo.

Ambiguous answer

Even experts do not have a consensus on the safety of unprotected sex during childbearing. There are pros and cons to giving up contraception during this period. Therefore, there is no unequivocal answer to the question of whether it is necessary to protect yourself during pregnancy. Some physicians believethat unprotected intimate contacts are dangerous for the expectant mother and child, as they can provoke infections. Others argue that in the absence of individual intolerance to sperm and he alth problems, pregnant women can forget about contraception. Both points of view are valid. However, each couple, depending on the woman's well-being and the characteristics of the gestation period, decides for herself whether it is necessary to protect herself during pregnancy.

Some spouses claim that sexual relations during such a period become more vivid, and even signs of toxicosis do not worsen the quality of sex. Many future parents forget about condoms, which they used to have to constantly use. However, we should not forget that expectant mothers are deteriorating immune system. 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, the expectant mother may develop inflammation of the bladder. It is accompanied by pain in the lower part of the peritoneum, frequent excretion of urine mixed with blood. The disease is explained by the fact that there are small cracks on the surface of the genital organs through which microbes enter the body during sex. Many infectious pathologies pose a danger not only to the mother, but also to the embryo.

Candidiasis during gestation

When talking about contraception during pregnancy, do not forget aboutthe likelihood of such an ailment as thrush. Expectant mothers who abuse desserts and smoked meats have a disrupted immune system.

These women are often diagnosed with candidiasis. Microorganisms that are in the seminal fluid of a partner, in the presence of a favorable environment, take root in the body of a pregnant woman. Infection of a man is also possible, so the expectant mother should be attentive to her he alth 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. No more than ten cases have been reported worldwide. Superfetation is the process of fertilization that occurs during the period of gestation of the embryo. It is explained by the maturation and fertilization of several gametes during one cycle of menstruation. Babies born under these circumstances are not considered twins. Children are born on the same day, but their development proceeds in different ways. He alth problems in these babies are not diagnosed. Fear of superfetation explains why couples ask about contraception during pregnancy.

There are very few spouses who have become parents of such children. But, to avoid this phenomenon, expectant mothers should use contraception.

Early pregnancy protection

In the absence of he alth problems, a woman canmake 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 use contraception during pregnancy is yes if the expectant mother or her partner has a viral disease. In the case when there is no danger of infection, contraception can be neglected. But do not forget about hygiene standards. In the presence of infections, experts advise using a condom.

Contraception in the second trimester

At this time, many expectant mothers notice an increase in sexual desire. However, some women refuse to make love, fearing to harm the he alth of the unborn baby. Do I need to take protection during pregnancy? Doctors' comments 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.

Should I use contraception late in pregnancy?

At this time, the woman becomes less active, but sexual intercourse is allowed. In the presence of viral pathologies of the reproductive system, partners need to use a condom. However, in the absence of infectious diseases, you can forget about contraception. The penetration of seminal fluid into the body of a woman helps to facilitate the process of delivery. The fact is that the composition of the sperm includes substances that make the cervix more plastic, help it open up.

When is it permissible to refuse contraception?

So, methods of contraception during pregnancy can be neglected if:

1. Expectant mother has no he alth problems.
2. Medical examinations confirm the absence of infectious diseases in the partner.
3. Woman never noticed she was allergic to seminal fluid.

In these situations, intimate contacts will only benefit a woman. Such sex supplies the body with substances that facilitate the period of pregnancy.

Methods of contraception during lactation

After childbirth, 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. Preventing pregnancy while breastfeeding can be done in the following ways:

1. Products that do not contain hormones. These drugs do not affect the baby's body.
2. Barrier methods of protection. They are safe, do not change the composition of milk and can be used immediately after delivery. If a woman chooses a diaphragm as a contraceptive, she should consult a specialist.



During the 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.

3. Contraceptives containing progesterone. These drugs do not affect the lactation process and do not causeailments in children.
4. The use of the IUD is also possible during breastfeeding. Their introduction is best done 6-7 weeks after delivery. During lactation, such drugs do not cause discomfort and bleeding in women. In the presence of an infection, the IUD should be discarded until complete recovery.
5. Sterilization. The method is used both for women and for the stronger sex. But it should be remembered: the consequences of this method are irreversible. If the spouses decide on it, they must know for sure that they no longer want children.

Natural method of contraception during lactation is not recommended. At this time, women do not have regular monthly bleeding. This means that it is impossible to establish when the maturation of the gamete occurs. The use of COCs during lactation is also undesirable.

This method adversely affects the he alth of the mother and baby. Temporary abstinence from sex is another method of contraception during pregnancy. But not everyone is ready to give up sexual intercourse for a long time.