Live chat transcript: Your orgasmic pregnancy

by Julie Snyder

Below is our transcript of the live chat event that took place Tuesday, January 19, 2010 in our auditorium with authors Danielle Cavallucci and Yvonne K. Fulbright. This event focused on the sexuality and sensuality of our pregnant bodies.

Moderator: Danielle Cavallucci and Yvonne K. Fulbright, authors of "Your Orgasmic Pregnancy: Little Sex Secrets Every Hot Mama Should Know (Positively Sexual)," are our guests today. Thank you both so much for joining us. And even more for writing this book! It is fantastic and very much needed. So often people consider that sex is "to make babies" -- sex during pregnancy, and beyond is taboo. "You are a mom -- how dare you be interested in sex!"

Yvonne and Danielle: We were astounded at the utter lack of information pertaining to this topic before our book came out! No work had the "hip" flavor we hoped to achieve. However, pregnancy is the fullest expression of your sexuality, and a sort of announcement to the world that you've been "doing it!"

I've had religious people tell me there's no place for sex during pregnancy -- that the womb is holy. But it seems that Mother Nature had a different idea! It can be no mistake that a woman is some of her most orgasmic during a good portion of those 9 months. It's divine intervention in keeping the family together. After all, the happy couple makes for the happy family.

Motherhood is the highest expression of sexuality! Let's face it -- sex spells reproduction. It is, biologically, a reproductive act. To remove the notion that sex is a need is to strip us of one of the most readily available stress-reducers, intimacy enhancers and overall wellness enhancers for both partners.

What was one of the most common myths about women and sex during pregnancy?

There's a lot of misinformation about the fact that sex can harm the baby, when the truth is, it's GREAT for both mom and baby! Men are really concerned that they can somehow hurt the baby - that they're so big and going to bang up against it. Not true! The baby is protected in more ways than one.

Unless you're suffering from placentia previa or a short list of other complications, you're good to go, and should! As long as your doctor has given you the green light -- and you avoid putting pressure on the abdomen -- you're in the clear to enjoy!

People also fret that sex during pregnacy causes uterine contractions that could result in premature labor. Not true, as research has found that those who are sexually active late in pregnancy are much LESS likely to deliver before 37 weeks of gestation than those not getting it on.

A funny thing is, most doctors are leery about broaching the subject, and most women are too embarrassed to bring it up. So, most of us suffer in silence! Ladies, please ask your doctor and get sexy!

What are some of the best positions during pregnancy for comfort and the big "O"?

Spooning is a wonderful one for 2nd and 3rd trimester. It allows for full-body contact and a lot of skin-on-skin intimacy which seems very important to many pregnant women.

Woman on top is going to be the best, esp. as the belly gets bigger. It also gives you the opportunity to rub your clitoris -- which is enlargened from more blood than normal -- against your lover's ab for an orgasm. Big O bests for pregnancy include woman on top and doggie style, both of which allow for additional clitoral stimulus.

We're ALL sexual beings! Embracing that fact and allowing yourself to really feel that is a major key to fulfilling your sensual potential.

Can a pregnant woman receive oral sex?

Yes! You can receive and give oral sex throughout your pregnancy. Just be sure that your partner does not blow into your vagina at ANY time.

Research has found that swallowing her partner's emission may actually be to her benefit in having a healthier pregnancy, provided there are no STDs to worry about.