Many pregnant women are very concerned about the effects of sexual intercourse on the unborn child. Of course no expectant mother wants her unborn child to be harmed, and it can be a little embarrassing asking your doctor, especially if you have a male GP. In any case, when you first see the doctor and tell him the happy news and start the booking in procedure, asking questions about your love life isn't at the forefront of your mind.

When you first discover that you are pregnant your mind starts to mull over a whole lot of issues - the birth, health issues, money worries, if you will cope as a mother, will you be able to keep your job, how bad is morning sickness... The list seems endless and its all part of the motherhood preparation, especially so if this is your first child. Towards the end of this list is the question 'Can I still have sexual intercourse?' Could you deny your relationship intimacy for 9 months?

During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy you must take life easy, no stretching or over doing things. These 12 weeks are when most miscarriages take place and one in three first time pregnancies end in miscarriage.

However, the womb is a very safe place for baby, protected by the stomach wall and the amniotic fluid that the baby floats around in. Providing sex is not overly enthusiastic and it is gentle love making, it is perfectly safe to have sexual intercourse during pregnancy, without causing harm to the baby.

Sometimes it is men who are worried about sexual activity during pregnancy. Despite men thinking that they have a huge cock that they are going to beat the baby about the head with if they do make love to a pregnant woman, nature has already taken care of this problem. The cervix is a tiny opening at the neck f the womb. The cervix is too tiny for a penis to penetrate and during pregnancy the cervix closes and doesn't re-open until it is time for childbirth. Because of this the penis can not penetrate the womb and damage the baby.

However, many women may feel less like sex during pregnancy which is understandable because pregnancy can cause women feel unattractive and fat, sore swollen breasts, ill with morning sickness that can occur any time of the day or night, and tired of fatigue. It is important for the expectant father at this time to not press his sexual advances and instead to enjoy other intimacies such as massage.

Sensual massage oils can be bought with aromatherapy properties, which can relax and soothe. If you are looking to unearth your passion try a massage oil with aphrodisiac properties. Also time alone self-pleasuring can help kick start your sexual desire. Sex aside some time each day to pleasure yourself, whether you feel like it or not and it will help to bring back the desire for sexual contact. If you don't use it you loose it, so slowly build it back up. Clitoral stimulators are a great to use for this. They tend to bring you to climax quickly and they are less intrusive because you use them externally to stimulate the clitoris.

Whether you choose to have sex during your pregnancy or not, it is important to share intimate time as a coupe and to keep a strong bond.