Are Sex Dreams During Pregnancy OK?

Updated 06 November 2019 |

Published 14 October 2019

Fact Checked

Reviewed by Tanya Tantry, MD, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Medical Consultant at Flo

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Sex dreams during pregnancy certainly isn’t a well-covered topic. Unlike what physical changes to expect during pregnancy, sex dreams aren’t usually covered by an OB-GYN or midwife during prenatal visits. However, having sex dreams while pregnant is completely normal. In fact, it’s more common than you might think.

What causes sex dreams during pregnancy?

Low sex drive during pregnancy is a common occurrence. But the opposite can also be true —  pregnancy can also be a time of heightened sexual arousal. This increased sex drive can cause sex dreams. Here’s why.

For one, pregnancy is a time of increased dreaming. In fact, dreams increase tenfold during pregnancy, and they also become more vivid and easier to remember. In addition, pregnancy means more sleep. More sleep, of course, increases the likelihood of having more dreams. 

Another major cause of sex dreams during pregnancy is increased hormone levels and other important changes that take place in the body. Levels of estrogen, progesterone, human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG), and human placental lactogen (hPL) all rise during pregnancy, which can cause increased lubrication and heightened sex drive. The blood flow to the genital tract and breasts also increases, making them more sensitive and engorged.  The combination of these factors can increase the occurrence of sex dreams.

Is it OK to have sex dreams during pregnancy?

Having sex dreams during pregnancy is definitely OK. 

The increased blood flow to the genitalia can bring on a heightened sex drive and sexual dreams. Many people find that they can orgasm during pregnancy much more easily than ever before. Some may even be able to orgasm for the first time. Since having a wet dream is completely possible, some sex dreams may lead to spontaneous orgasms. This is also completely normal.

What do sex dreams during pregnancy mean?

It’s a fairly common practice to interpret dreams during pregnancy as signifying a growing connection with your baby. While some may not mean anything specific, there are a handful that can be analyzed. 

Early in pregnancy, women might find themselves having dreams filled with fertility or water imagery. These dreams can represent the rise of amniotic fluid and the growing baby. Later, towards the third trimester, specific dreams about the baby — even the baby’s sex — can be common.

It can be helpful to focus less on what sex dreams mean and more on just enjoying them.

But can sex dreams be interpreted to mean something? Overall, having sex dreams where you’re with different partners or in situations outside anything you have experienced is normal. After all, our dreams are generally made up of fantastical events that we aren’t going to experience in real life. It can be helpful to focus less on what sex dreams mean and more on just enjoying them.

What to do about sex dreams during pregnancy

Because having sex dreams while pregnant is as normal as having sex during pregnancy (if you don’t have contraindications), there isn’t anything specific you need to do. However, journaling your feelings or even talking to your doctor are both options if you’re concerned.

If you find the content of your sex dream bothers you, try writing about it — doing so can help alleviate any anxiety as you get out your feelings on paper. You can also use your journal to try to understand the meaning of your dreams, if you find that helpful. 

If you find the content of your sex dream bothers you, try writing about it — doing so can help alleviate any anxiety as you get out your feelings on paper.

Some women may experience uterine cramps following sex dreams, which can be painful (though relatively short). Although cramping after a sex dream is normally nothing to be concerned about, it can’t hurt to tell your OB-GYN about it.

When do sex dreams during pregnancy start?

So when will you have sex dreams during early pregnancy? Since each pregnancy is unique, it’s impossible to say exactly when they’ll happen. Still, there are some patterns to when sex dreams occur.

The greatest rise in hormones during pregnancy happens around week 10, after the discomforts of the first trimester have passed, making this a common time to experience a sex dream for the first time.

The discomforts of pregnancy, from nausea to tiredness to new food aversions, can hamper sexual desire or sex dreams for some people. Others may have them right from the start of pregnancy due to rising hormone levels. However, the greatest rise in hormones during pregnancy happens around week 10, after the discomforts of the first trimester have passed, making this a common time to experience a sex dream for the first time. 

The takeaway

Pregnancy comes with a host of unusual changes, and having sex dreams may be one of them. Though they may not be as well-known as other physiological changes, sex dreams are normal and fairly common occurrences during pregnancy. How (or if) you choose to react to these dreams is a personal decision. 

History of updates

Current version (06 November 2019)

Reviewed by Tanya Tantry, MD, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Medical Consultant at Flo

Published (14 October 2019)