Some men and women find the process of pregnancy adds a new dimension to their sex lives. The physical and hormonal changes, together with the exploration of new ways to have intercourse as the pregnancy advances, can be a real turn on.

With other couples, it’s not so straightforward. Your partner may simply feel too sick and tired for much sex in the early months, and too big and uncomfortable in the later months. Some men worry that having sex may cause problems. There are very few physical or medical problems for which you’re advised to avoid intercourse:

•   If your partner has had previous miscarriages, it may be wise to avoid sex at the time her period would have been due, for the first three to four months
•   If she has had a threatened miscarriage with this pregnancy you may prefer to play safe and avoid intercourse until after about 14 weeks
•   If she has a low-lying placenta, the doctor or midwife may recommend avoiding sex

As the pregnancy advances, you may have to be more imaginative about positions for lovemaking. Deep penetration may become uncomfortable, and positions with the man on top may not be very practical either. Choose positions where penetration is shallower, such as spoons (lying on your side with the woman in front of the man), or where the woman can control the degree of penetration, such as the woman lying on top.

This may be an ideal time to explore other methods of lovemaking without penetration. Massage and mutual masturbation can be equally satisfying for many couples. Many women find that the increased blood flow to the pelvis during pregnancy means they are more easily aroused and generally feel much sexier than normal.

Some women experience mini contractions after intercourse, as orgasm can set off 'practice' (Braxton Hicks) contractions, common in later pregnancy. Unless you are at term and ready to go into labour, sex is very unlikely to make labour begin.