Is Oral Sex Safe During Pregnancy?

Even though sex is generally safe during pregnancy, your protruding belly can make go-to positions seem a little (or a lot) clumsy and awkward. Plus, certain medical conditions, pregnancy risk factors, or plain old pregnancy discomfort may make penetrative sex trickier in the later trimesters.

To maintain some semblance of a sex life, some people seek other forms of sexual gratification during those precarious nine months—including oral sex. But is oral sex safe during pregnancy?

Read on to learn when oral sex during pregnancy is safe and what precautions to take to limit risks.

8 Questions About Pregnancy Sex, Answered

Risks Associated With Oral Sex During Pregnancy

According to Mary Jane Minkin, MD, a clinical professor in the department of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine, receiving oral sex during pregnancy is likely fine as long as you and your partner are extra cautious. Being aware of the posssible risks is key to stress-free oral sex.

Air embolism

For starters, there is one serious complication that can occur if your partner blows air into the vagina. "The concern is that with the blood vessels in the vagina being dilated, air could be blown into the vessels and cause an air embolism," says Dr. Minken.

According to a review in the Journal of Basic and Clinical Reproductive Sciences, air blown into the vagina during pregnancy can separate the amniotic sac from the uterine wall and then pass into the pregnant person's veins through the placenta. From there, the air could potentially travel to the heart or brain.

Essentially, the air could block a blood vessel, which could negatively impact your cardiovascular system (and even cause death on rare occasions). The air bubble could also land in the placenta and affect fetal development.

"But an air embolism is a very rare event and easy to avoid," assures Dr. Minken. "Just don't blow any air into the vagina."

Ruptured blood vessels

The increased blood volume during pregnancy also makes your capillaries—including those in the vaginal walls—more sensitive. This means that blood vessels may rupture with even light fiction.

This can happen with any penetrative sex during pregnancy, not just oral sex. The bleeding might be scary, but it won't harm you or the baby.

Sexually transmitted infections

Another concern regarding oral sex during pregnancy is contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) like HIV, gonorrhea. or chlamydia. But perhaps the most concerning is the herpes simplex virus, which can pass onto a fetus during birth and potentially cause complications like neurological damage, brain inflammation, and death.

According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, a fetus has the highest chance of developing neonatal herpes if a gestational parent develops a first-time herpes infection late in pregnancy. That's because the pregnant person's immune system hasn't yet developed antibodies against the virus to protect the baby.

Even so, neonatal herpes is rare, occurring in just 1 in 3,200 births in the US. While neonatal herpes can occur during pregnancy and in the newborn period, 80% of the time, transmission happens during childbirth.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends suppressive antiviral therapy starting at 36 weeks gestation for those with recurrent genital herpes. Additionally, they recommend a C-section for those with active genital lesions or those with symptoms indicating a pending outbreak.

To reduce this risk, only have oral sex with a partner who tested negative for STIs, and use a dental dam if you're unsure. Also, avoid receiving oral sex if your partner has an open cold sore or feels one developing because this could be a sign of herpes.

What's more, you should avoid unprotected third-trimester pregnancy sex with anyone who's ever had a cold sore or genital herpes. That's because even without current symptoms, they still carry the herpes virus.

What to Know About Cold Sores During Pregnancy

When Is Oral Sex During Pregnancy Unsafe?

Oral sex, like any form of sex, may be unsafe during pregnancy under certain conditions. According to the Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, you should avoid all kinds of sex, including oral sex, in the following situations:

Leaking amniotic fluidPreterm laborVaginal bleedingPlacenta previa

In addition, always avoid contact with herpes lesions on a partner's mouth or genitals.

Is Anal Sex Safe During Pregnancy?

Tips for Making Oral Sex During Pregnancy Safer

Oral sex during pregnancy can be safe if you follow some precautions. These include:

Telling your partner not to blow into your vaginaKnowing the STI status of your partner and avoiding unprotected oral sex if they have ever had cold sores or genital herpesAvoiding oral sex if you are experiencing vaginal bleeding or unusual dischargeAvoiding oral sex if you are at risk of preterm labor Avoiding oral sex if your health care provider advises against sex

More often than not, it's safe to give and receive oral sex during pregnancy. It's also safe to swallow semen while pregnant. Just be sure to use precautions to limit the chances of an air embolism or contracting herpes. Always check with a health care provider if you're unsure about oral sex during pregnancy.

Your Trimester-by-Trimester Guide to Pregnancy Sex