A first pregnancy can be daunting and even if you've seen and heard all the myths and truths from friends and family before, you won't necessarily have discussed sex during pregnancy in any great detail.

The great news is that it's perfectly safe to have sex during pregnancy so long as you are not at high risk of miscarriage. There are a few things for even the healthiest of mothers to bear in mind, however. The first of these is probably quite instinctual and you'll follow this without thinking: take it slow and gentle. Remember that you or your partner are pregnant and any heavy exercise is not recommended. Also, during pregnancy, the tissues and muscles in the vagina and cervix (as well as the colon and anus) are put under extra pressure from the weight of the bump and organs moving around to make space for the foetus. This means they might be slightly swollen and any movements too fast and rigorous could damage the walls of the vagina.

Slow and gentle intercourse can actually be extremely beneficial to both Mother and baby, mainly because if Mum is happy, then baby will be too. Raised pulse and a rush of endorphins will make your baby feel energised and active, and then the hormones released after sex that make you feel relaxed will also make the baby feel calm and happy at the same time. Some women also find that they orgasm much more easily during a certain stage of pregnancy (usually sometime during the second trimester) because of elevated blood flow to the reproductive organs which stimulates growth of the baby. Orgasm during pregnancy is nothing to worry about, unless you've been warned by your doctor, midwife or health visitor against it.

Many couples worry about the effect that sex will have on the baby, but in fact this is very little providing you are both relaxed and the bump is in no way squashed. During pregnancy the cervix develops a very thick mucus at the top of it, protecting the baby within the womb from infection. Very strong muscles in this area also protect the baby from feeling anything that's happening within the cervix or vagina. You might want to try being quiet during intercourse so as not to alarm your little one, but silence is not essential.

With regards to positions, many couples find that spooning (both partners lying on the same side with the man behind) is the most comfortable and most enjoyable. This way the baby bump is free and supported, and both man and woman feel close. On the other hand, a lot of couples prefer the 'doggy' style position, where again, the bump is free but the couple can achieve deeper penetration. Try variations on this with the woman on her knees and hands supporting her against a wall. Other popular positions include the man sitting on a chair and woman sitting on top and missionary position during early to mid pregnancy.

Don't worry if your libido increases or decreases during pregnancy. The incredible levels of hormones that your pituitary gland is producing will cause your body to react in all kinds of ways and your partner should be very understanding of this. Some women don't feel like having sex for the entirety of their pregnancy and for months afterwards, whilst others can't get enough! Just do what feels natural, whilst keeping in mind that your baby might not enjoy vigorous movements for a sustained length of time.

Stan Tian

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