Is it normal not to have sex much/at all during pregnancy?

[Tucancrossing]

A couple of days ago a friend asked me the longest my husband and I had gone without having sex (part of a relevant conversation, not just out of the blue!) I said I wasn't sure, but it must have been during my pregnancy/post-partum as I'm fairly sure we only had penetrative sex once or twice and other sexual stuff a couple of times. She seemed really shocked, like she thought that it was really abnormal. I had no sex drive at all during pregnancy or breastfeeding. I also had hyperemesis so for the first 18-20 weeks I was basically lying in bed and being sick into a bucket, then had SPD for the last 2-3 months so couldn't separate my legs without pain. I then went on to have an episiotomy and several tears on top of that, so didn't get back to having sex until 4-5 months post-partum. I'm not sure at what point in all of that I was supposed to squeeze in all the sex 😂 Would be interesting to hear others' perspectives.

Yes I still had it as normal, wouldn’t want to go for 9 months without

My pregnancies were normal and straightforward though so everyone is different

Zero sex during pregnancy here. I felt so rough for the first half and by then we’d got out of the habit. I just wasn’t interested.

We’ve bounced back since though so not something that concerns me.

I was the same as you op.
Felt horrific, nausea then SPD then episiotomy.

I think it just depends. Pregnancy one we had it as normal lots. Pregnancy two we had it very infrequently because I was having bleeds all the time so I was just too stress and paranoid and final pregnancy we kept having sex fairly regularly until about 25ish weeks when my pgp got so bad I didn’t feel like it.

Postpartum I bounced back quickly each time and was up for it within a reasonably quick period

I too had hyperemesis so had very little sex during pregnancy.

I think it's the same as women who keep going at their sporting hobbies during pregnancy, nice if your body will let you, but not a positive or negative reflection on you as an individual either way, is just down to luck.

Three children. We were at it like rabbits during the first and third pregnancy but rarely had sex during the second. I had a baby (small age gap) and my father was seriously ill, both of which had more impact on my sex drive than being pregnant.

No sex at all during any of my pregnancies. I couldn't have felt less sexy (sick, SPD, huge, couldn't breathe - oh how I hated being pregnant!) I still don't know how we conceived any further DC after DC1.

I'm nearly 32 weeks pregnant and me and my partner still have sex. Not as regular as before but he understands the situation!

Very little sex here - sex made me bleed (I think due to a cervical ectropian which swells in pregnancy) and it scared the hell out of me every time so that put me right off.

Oh and the bloating, tiredness, acne and then feeling massive by the time that was over.

I was unwell in first trimester so didn't have much sex then, then when I felt better in second trimester my DH didn't like the idea.. I was devastated at the time but he said it wasn't me, it was because he felt odd that there was a baby in there! I felt fat already so was insulted but when he explained it I kind of understood.
Now we're are TTC #2 and he's said he's got over that and would definitely still DTD with me then.. we'll see 😂

Depends a bit on the pregnancy. First one I couldn't have enough. All the way through. Unfortunately my ExH found me repugnant!

I think it varies on the pregnancy - first pregnancy I had a lot of nausea and was absolutely exhausted, then SPD, then had 3rd degree tear and lots of stitches..

2nd pregnancy I had far less nausea, I did get SPD but later and less severe, and we were able to find positions to suit, then I had a really easy birth with no stitches needed and normal desires resumed within weeks. It also helped that second time around I had a much more understanding and supportive husband!

I didn't have a choice, weak cervix meant we had to abstain, drove me a bit bonkers though, and then after DD was born, I didn't pluck up the courage for three months as I was nervous about it hurting for some reason. I think we abstained for 5 months of the pregnancy, so including after 8 months in total, poor DH

Pretty much the same as you. I also had your problems during pregnancy.

And now with a toddler and a newborn, it's the last thing on my mind 🙈

Longest we’ve not done it is when DH was very ill and had a couple of surgeries. Carried on like normal in pregnancy but I was never sick or nauseous, was on shit loads of drugs and sex made me feel like a normal person rather than a medical Guinea pig. Had an EMCS, infected scar and breastfed but was back at it once I felt better about 5 or 6 weeks after I think. Again, it made me feel like myself to do something that’s always been positive and normal.

Nope only had it like three times getting into third trimester. I have been so sick and tired. Plus every time we do it I get either really bad thrush or a UTI not worth it! Planning to have another go before it gets here as worried about recovery and perhaps it will induce labour but otherwise it’s just off the table and not an issue.