Pregnancy sex positions, with illustrations
Medically reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
Photo credit: Erica Cervantez
Sex can still be a part of your relationship during pregnancy, but you may have to adjust your positions for comfort and safety as your belly grows. Pregnancy sex positions where you're on top of your partner will give you more control over the angle and speed of penetration. And ones where you're on your side are safer for your baby late in pregnancy, when lying on your back can be problematic. If pregnant sex isn't as pleasurable as you imagined, try foreplay or mutual masturbation, which are perfectly acceptable replacements until after your baby is born.
When it comes to sex during pregnancy, your go-to positions may start feeling awkward as your belly gets bigger. Sex can still be in the picture though, if your healthcare provider hasn't told you otherwise and you’re still in the mood. And while some women may experience a drop in libido during pregnancy, others see a spike. (Everyone’s different!)
You'll probably find yourself looking for new and more comfortable pregnancy sex positions: Go ahead and start experimenting! Amniotic fluid protects your baby, so there are no worries about causing any harm unless you’re at high risk for placenta previa or going into early labor.
Here are some of the best sex positions for pregnant women, complete with illustrations.
Side-by-side sex (at an angle)
Just as side sleeping during pregnancy is great for moms-to-be, so is side-by-side sex. In this position, you and your partner each lie on your side so that your bodies create a V shape. Wedge a pillow under your back for support as you face your partner, and rest both legs over their hip. This position allows your partner to keep most of their weight off your belly.
Not only is side-by-side sex one of the most comfortable sex positions during pregnancy, but laying face-to-face lets you connect with your partner on a deeper and more intimate level. Just think of all that gazing into each other’s eyes you can do.
Woman on top
Pregnant or not, sometimes you want to be in charge. Getting on top puts you in control of the sexual experience, allowing you to make the calls when it comes to depth of penetration, angles, and speed. Some women also find being on top during pregnant sex to be more pleasurable. In one study, pregnant women who assumed this position reported more sexual satisfaction.
The woman-on-top position is straightforward: Straddle your partner as they lie on their back. Another bonus of being on top is that your partner's weight is off your belly, which makes this one of the most popular third trimester sex positions.
Chair sex
Who said sex always must happen in a bed? Sometimes it's fun to mix things up by switching the location to another piece of furniture – like, say, a favorite chair.
The chair sex position is well-suited to pregnancy because it puts you on top, resulting in no extra pressure on your belly. To get into this position, straddle your partner as they sit on a sturdy chair (a couch or loveseat does the trick, too). You can face each other for more intimacy, or face away when your belly gets bigger. Place the chair near a wall or another piece of furniture so you have something to lean on and won't lose your balance when you try to get up.
Side-by-side sex (from behind)
Lying on your side is one of the best sex positions for pregnancy. This variation on the classic side-by-side sex position allows for your partner to enter you from behind. Lie with your partner facing your back and be sure to keep some pillows handy for extra support around your belly as your pregnancy progresses.
Penetration tends to be shallower in this position. That can be a good thing, because deep thrusts may become uncomfortable in later months. You may already feel more pressure on your pelvis from your growing baby. A penis or sex toy pushing hard against this area may not feel as good as it did pre-pregnancy.
"Missionary," pregnancy-sex style
The term "missionary" first became popular back in the 1960s and 1970s, and many couples still prefer this position today, including during early pregnancy sex. (In one Polish study, for example, women said they were most likely to choose the missionary position in their first trimester.)
The missionary position is fine early in your pregnancy, but it may become uncomfortable as your pregnancy progresses. Beginning when you're around 20 weeks pregnant, lying on your back allows your uterus to press against your inferior vena cava, the large blood vessel that sends blood back to your heart. Compressing this could interfere with blood flow to your baby.
If you do try the missionary position after the first trimester, wedge a pillow beneath you so you're tilted and not lying flat on your back. And make sure your partner supports themselves with their hands or forearms on either side of you, so they're not bearing weight on your belly.
Edge of the bed
This position gives you some control over the angle at which your partner enters you, which can increase your comfort. To get into this position, start by shifting your bottom to the side or foot of the bed and lie back with your knees bent.
After the first trimester, wedge a pillow under one side so you're not lying flat on your back. (You can also prop yourself up on your elbows, but that might get uncomfortable.) Depending on the height of the bed, your partner can kneel or stand to enter. Place your legs or feet on your partner's torso for more leverage or stability.
Sex from behind
Having sex from behind is another one of the best pregnancy sex positions because it takes pressure off your growing belly. Support yourself on your knees and elbows as your partner kneels and enters from behind. A pillow or rolled-up towel can provide extra tummy support.
This position does allow your partner to penetrate more deeply, which may not be as comfortable late in pregnancy. Ask your partner to be gentle if you start to feel pressure on your cervix. And as your cervix softens late in the third trimester, you may notice some light spotting after sex. (If you have heavy bleeding or bleeding for more than an hour, call your healthcare provider.)
What if pregnant sex is uncomfortable?
Remember that sex doesn't always have to involve penetration. If you find intercourse uncomfortable during pregnancy, you and your partner can find other ways to be intimate.
You could try non-sexual types of touch, like kissing, cuddling, or giving each other a gentle massage. Or stick to foreplay and masturbation, helping each other reach orgasm without penetration. Oral sex is another good option: Just make sure your partner is careful not to blow air into your vagina, which could cause an air embolism, an air bubble that blocks a vein or artery. It's rare, but it could increase your risk for a heart attack or stroke.
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