Sexuality, Smoking and Alcohol during Pregnancy

It is safe to have sex when you are pregnant. There may be changes in your sexual needs and desires. Both of you need to discuss how you feel and discuss what you expect from one another. Explore comfortable activities that please both of you.

Your health care provider may advise you to avoid sex with certain health conditions.

If you, or your partner are anxious about having sex during pregnancy, or if sex is painful, talk to your health care provider.

Smoking or being around people who smoke during your pregnancy and after your baby is born, can harm both you and your baby.

Smoking can cause problems during pregnancy. Your baby may:

• Not get enough food or oxygen. 
• Be born too soon or too small. 
• Die suddenly during pregnancy. 
• Be more at risk to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 
• Have health or learning problems.

What you can do:

• Ask friends and family not to smoke near you while you are pregnant and after the baby is born. 
• Make your home and car smoke-free areas. 
• Once the baby is home, smoke outside and away from your baby. 
• Ask for help to quit smoking or to smoke less. 
• There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. There is no safe kind of alcohol. 
• There is no safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. It is best not to drink alcohol at all if you are pregnant.

Mothers who drink alcohol when they are pregnant may have a baby who has:

• Brain damage 
• Vision and hearing problems 
• Trouble walking and talking 
• Organs that do not work properly 
• Birth defects 
• Problems learning, remembering, and thinking things through 
• Problems getting along with others

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, many mothers choose an alcohol-free drink instead. This is the safest choice. If you decide to drink while breastfeeding, limit the amount you drink to one or two standard drinks per occasion.

NOTE: Some things at home and work can harm your unborn baby.

What you can do:

• Talk to your health care provider about: 
• Pesticides (used for killing insects
•  Mercury (in some fish) 
• Lead (in some paint) 
• Asbestos (in some home insulation) 
• Solvents (in some paints) 
• Extreme heat (for example hot tubs and saunas) 
• Plastics 
• X-rays 
• Some cleaning products