Best Sex Positions With a Pregnant Partner

There's no way around it—there's a big difference between the belly of a woman who's three months pregnant and a woman who's eight months pregnant. As a mother's body changes and grows, the size and pressure of the growing baby can make the positions you both enjoyed pre-pregnancy less safe. However, this doesn't mean you should cut back on intimacy between the sheets. As long as your doctor hasn't advised pelvic rest, and you're both feeling up for it, sex is perfectly safe throughout a pregnancy. Listen to your partner, make adjustments to your favorite positions as necessary and consider changing up your routine.

Spooning side entry

A spooning side entry, with the penetrating partner acting as the big spoon, is a great position to try during pregnancy, especially in the later months.

Dainis Graveris—managing editor of sex toy resource SexualAlpha, certified sex educator and relationship coach—recommends this position because it's physically easier and potentially safer.

“It's the most comfortable position because it avoids putting a lot of pressure on the belly as the woman lies on her side,” Graveris said.

He also explains this position makes penetration with the penis or toy more shallow, which can be a benefit if a pregnant woman is experiencing vaginal sensitivity or discomfort with deeper penetration. Also, because hands are left more free, both partners can touch or fondle the breasts or clitoris of the pregnant woman, providing another source of pleasure.

Cowgirl or reverse cowgirl

Any position that puts the pregnant partner in control during intercourse is likely to be more comfortable at every stage of pregnancy. Even if you're the most caring and conscientious partner in the world, if you're not the one who's pregnant, you can't know exactly how each penetration feels. What might feel good in one moment can change in the next if the baby moves or shifts.

This is why London-based sex therapist Tatyana Dyachenko suggests the "cowgirl position," with the woman straddling her reclining partner, as ideal during pregnancy.

“There's not any weight on the abdomen, and the position enables the pregnant partner to control the depth, speed and force of penetration,” Dyachenko said.

Plus, the position places the pregnant woman's breasts on display, making them easy to caress and fondle.

For the same reasons, "reverse cowgirl position" is an easy way to mix things up. For people with a preference for butts, this alternative allows the penetrative partner to admire the pregnant partner's backside.

Oral sex

There will be times during pregnancy when your pregnant partner doesn't feel up for penetration—maybe she feels bloated or constipated, or the baby's been kicking her in the ribs all day and she's just not in the mood. Just because a woman isn't in the mood for penetration doesn't mean she's not in the mood for sexual intimacy.

“Sex while pregnant is not all about getting an orgasm or being penetrated—it's more about being physically intimate with your partner,” Graveris said.

Help your partner find a comfortable position (as the pregnancy progresses it may not be comfortable or advisable for your partner to lie flat on her back, so use a chair or pillows to try a reclined angle) and use your hands and mouths to bring each other to climax.

Pregnancy can be a tricky time for couples who want to maintain an intimate sex life, but aren't quite sure how to switch things up as the mother's belly grows. As long as your doctor has cleared you for sex, you don't need to worry about hurting the baby.

Open lines of communication are key. Talk about your experiences, listen to your partner as you have sex and don't be afraid to try new things. You may just find a new position that turns into your favorite way to make love.