Famous plus-size model Ashley Graham has opened up about her couple’s sex life during and after pregnancy. To better understand this taboo subject, sexologist Camille Bataillon gives us her advice.
- 80% of women consider that the sexual act presents no risk during pregnancy, against 56% among men.
- When pregnant, the majority of expectant mothers (71%) continue to have sex.
“A lot of women have asked me, ‘Are you afraid to have sex again?’ Not at all, because I know my vagina was made for having a baby and pushing it, and I knew it was going to be back to normal right away.” In an interview given to the magazine Peoplefamous plus-size model Ashley Graham broke a taboo subject, which carries many misconceptions: sex during and after pregnancy.
“When you have a newborn, he usually sleeps for a few hours. So we put him in the crib across the room and we get going,” says the young mother, who gave birth to a little boy a year ago. “You have to talk about sex during pregnancy”, she adds.
During pregnancy: no sexual contraindications, unless…
An opinion shared by Camille Bataillon, referent sexologist and co-creator of Mia.co. “Throughout pregnancy, there are no sexual contraindications, unless you suffer from a particular pathology, hence the importance of talking about it without embarrassment to health professionals and your partner. “, explains the sexologist. If penetration is painful, oral sex can be a good alternative, and the use of lubricant a possible solution. Also remember to adopt comfortable positions, why not using cushions.
After childbirth: no immediate penetration
After childbirth, doctors recommend not to engage in penetrative sex for the first six weeks.“For the rest, again, it all depends on whether the birth generated bodily trauma,” specifies Camille Bataillon. Overall, any pain during intercourse should lead to consultation. Ditto if the anxiety of penetration after childbirth is too strong. As in pregnancy, oral sex can be a good alternative, even right after birth. “That’s often when couples really find out what it’s all about,” notes Camille Bataillon, before concluding: “Above all, you have to listen to yourself, follow your desires and not force things, even if the partner puts pressure”.
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