Can i have sex while pregnant? What about sunbathing? The answers to the most frequently asked questions!

Beyond the most important rules, which we talked about in this precious handbook for pregnant women, there are a whole series of apparently less relevant issues that often torment future mothers in the long nine months of gestation, filling them with doubts. and uncertainties. In fact, among false myths, urban legends and advice from self-styled experts, in many cases it is no longer possible to distinguish what is reliable and what is instead the result of a poorly informed mentality. For this reason, we have decided to draw up a small guide of the things that can be done and those that would be best avoided during the period of the sweet expectation. Here it is below ...

Having sex during pregnancy? You can!

A good news! Sex in pregnancy can be done all right ... sure, maybe avoid excessively elaborate positions and prefer simplicity, but go easy, there is no contraindication. Think that it is possible to do it even in the days close to the deadline, indeed, often gynecologists even recommend it, as prostaglandins, some particular substances contained in the seminal fluid, help to favor the dilation of the uterus.

See also

Folic acid in pregnancy: which one to take, in what dosage, when and for how long

Growth milk: 5 answers to the questions that all mothers ask themselves

Getting pregnant after a miscarriage: the answers to the most common questions

Can i use hair dyes?

No problem for the popular colors on the market that are applied to the hair with a simple wash, as they act on the shaft and not on the bulb: in this case you can rest assured, because the chemicals do not penetrate the mother's body. On the other hand, those containing ammonia, which are harmful if in contact with the scalp, represent a problem. Green light to streaks, highlights, shatush and any other type of coloring that is not applied starting from the roots but a few more millimeters away or in the rest of the hair, thus avoiding direct contact of the product with the scalp.

Seat belt in the car: yes or no?

It has long been thought that the seat belt was a danger to pregnant women. But this is not the case, on the contrary, the seat belt, if properly fastened, is only a help, as it protects the mother and the fetus when traveling by car and in the various means of transport that require it. The important thing, however, to avoid discomfort, is not to put the belt on the stomach, as usually happens, but to pass it under this and therefore on the hip, in this way you avoid damage to the child in the event of sudden impacts or violent sudden braking. .

And the scooter?

Absolutely not! Mopeds, bicycles and all means of transport that do not have adequate protection and which expose the pregnant woman to greater dangers due to kickbacks, potholes and road disruptions are banned. Opt for other safer means. And walk, walk. Walking gently. waiting is a panacea, even in the days close to childbirth.

Can I be exposed to the sun without problems?

Don't worry, with a few more tricks, even you future mothers can enjoy the sun in all serenity. During pregnancy, as you can well imagine, there is a rather intense hormonal change; this, among other things, leads to an increased production of melanin. This situation could facilitate the formation of dark spots on the face, in particular on the forehead, cheekbones, chin and upper part of the lips, giving rise to a blemish called melasma.

To avoid this, just respect a few small rules:

  • expose yourself in moderation, avoiding sunbathing for many hours in a row, especially in the central hours
  • go to the beach early in the morning, until 11 am, and then return to the beach after 4 pm
  • Use a high level of sun protection, all over the body, with particular attention to the face.


This is true for any type of skin. It is precisely women with dark phototype, for example, who are most at risk of sunspots as they are major producers of melanin. Unfortunately, even if after pregnancy the melasma may lessen, it hardly disappears completely, so do not underestimate the importance of sun protection.

The importance of folic acid

Folic acid is a very important B vitamin for the body, which, as you well know, acquires a fundamental value during the period of pregnancy. In fact, in this phase, the need for folic acid increases considerably to safeguard the health of the fetus: this substance in fact contributes to the development of the neural duct, which begins its formation immediately after conception and which later becomes the baby's spine. But that's not all, the intake of this vitamin would promote greater prevention from malformations of the nervous system, thus allowing a regular development of the fetus. Unfortunately, however, the low quantities of folic acid present in foods are not sufficient to cover the higher requirements required during pregnancy, for these reasons it is strongly recommended to supplement it from the first moments of expectation, even if it would even be desirable. "folic acid intake in the period prior to conception with a" intensification at least in the first trimester of gestation.

Is it harmful to take x-rays in pregnancy?

This topic must be approached with some attention: the risk of damage is present in the case in which one frequently undergoes radiographs and CT scans in the belly area - quite rare cases. In fact, CT scans and x-rays at the abdominal and lumbar level directly affect the fetus, it is therefore recommended to submit them only if strictly necessary.

On the other hand, there is no danger if the X-ray involves an area far from the belly: in this case, in fact, the dose of radiation that reaches the fetus is really negligible. The same is true for mammography, as the radiation only reaches the breast.

Obviously, greater caution is needed in the first trimester of pregnancy; the most delicate period, in which radiation can be harmful even at lower doses, is the very first weeks of gestation, when the embryo is implanted and the process of forming the fetal organs begins.

As the months go by, the risks decrease more and more, although as a general rule, it would be good to undergo this type of examination only in cases of urgent need.