Q: Dr is it compulsory to have sex during pregnancy in order to have a safe delivery? Does every woman or lady have dry vagina during pregnancy which leads to painful sex? What is the cause?

A: Thanks for the question and since I’ve received a couple of this same type of question ever since we discussed sexual intercourse during pregnancy, it’s important to re-iterate the finer points of that discussion.

Sexual intercourse is generally considered safe during pregnancy unless there are reasons why your obstetrician has suggested against it. This, however, does not mean that sexual intercourse is a necessary condition for a baby to be delivered safely. No! One could very well be pregnant for nine months and deliver safely without having had even one episode of sexual intercourse during pregnancy. Think about all the split families you know (husband in one country and wife in another!)

During pregnancy, the hormone estrogen is in abundant supply and should ordinarily make vaginal dryness a rarity. However, this is not always the case. A woman may not have the urge for sexual intercourse and indeed, has vaginal dryness such that if intercourse were to go ahead, it would be a painful ordeal for her as described above.

What are the causes of vaginal dryness in pregnancy (a period where ordinarily, the abundance of the hormone, estrogen should make vaginal lubrication a matter to be taken for granted)? They include:

• Lack of adequate foreplay
• Stress
• Emotional disconnect
• Douching
• Diabetes
• Childbirth and breastfeeding

Being overly tired is a reason why you may not be interested in sexual intercourse too and thus, vaginal dryness is a natural consequence of that.

Remember that communication is key, especially during this time to ensure that you and your husband understand what’s going on in each other’s minds. Getting a massage from hubby may be a good way to de-stress you and get you to emotionally re-connect with hubby.

You could also try out other means of exploring sexual intimacy together. Whatever you do, be sure to keep the communication lines open.

For more on this topic, please click on the link below:

Daily Health Tips: When Should I Stop Having Sex With My Pregnant Wife?

I hope y’all had a great day? Have a fabulous night 😀