Is It Safe To Swallow Sperm While Pregnant? - BabyCenter

Just because you're pregnant doesn't mean your sex life has to fall by the wayside. If your libido is active and you're not feeling the negative side effects of pregnancy too deeply, sex with (and without, for that matter) a partner is totally on the table.

Key takeaways:

• Oral sex is safe during pregnancy as long as your partner does not have an STI.
• Swallowing sperm will not harm you or your baby.

Always bring up individual concerns with your healthcare provider if you're unsure, but generally, penetrative intercourse during pregnancy is safe. Of course, that's not the only kind of sex. Oral sex might also be part of your routine. Could you or your baby be harmed if you swallow semen? Nope, as long as you and your partner only have sex with each other and your partner has tested negative for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Advertisement | page continues below

There's even a possibility that swallowing sperm while pregnant has health benefits for your baby – some studies have shown a decreased risk of recurrent miscarriage and preeclampsia in women who swallowed sperm while pregnant.

If your partner does have an STI (or if you're not sure), sex may not be safe. It's possible to contract STIs like HIV/AIDS, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, or chlamydia through any kind of sex, including oral sex. Having bleeding gums or sores in your mouth could increase your risk of getting an STI from oral sex.

Some STIs can be passed on to your baby. Syphilis can cross the placenta and infect your baby in the womb, while other infections – including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes – can be transmitted to your baby during labor and delivery.

One way to protect yourself from STIs is to use a condom or dental dam as a barrier whenever you give or receive oral sex. (A dental dam is a piece of latex or polyurethane that goes over the vagina or anus during oral sex.) If you have any concerns, don't be afraid to bring them up with your healthcare provider at your next checkup.

Have more questions about sex during pregnancy? The free BabyCenter appOpens a new window gives you expert-backed answers on intimacy, safety, and what’s normal – plus a supportive community where other parents-to-be share their real experiences.

Advertisement | page continues below