6 Reasons Pregnant Women Should Be Having More Sex

While many women fear that making the bed springs sing during pregnancy can bring on early labor, that's not true. "It's an old wives' tale that sex brings on labor contractions," says Melissa Jones, PhD, a sexologist and executive director of the Sexology Institute. "Even though the uterus does contract during orgasm, those contractions do not bring on labor, either preterm or at term." In fact, orgasm does the opposite: In one study by the Guttmacher Institute, women who'd had sex during weeks 29-36 of pregnancy had a lower risk of pre-term delivery than women who'd abstained.

Pregnancy can trigger a host of potential life-threatening complications, from hypertension to preeclampsia to eclampsia. The good news? Sex during pregnancy curbs your risk of all the above problems. Researchers aren't exactly sure why, but it may have to do with the protective effects of sperm. In fact, even oral sex during pregnancy has been shown to reduce the risk of preeclampsia. So whatever sexual activity you feel up for, your pregnancy is bound to benefit (and we doubt your husband will object).

More from The Stir: 18 Best Sex Positions While Pregnant

Has pregnancy burdened you with a sore back, headaches, or other discomforts? Getting busy between the sheets may make you feel better. Studies by Beverly Whipple, professor emeritus at Rutgers University, found that genital stimulation increased women's pain thresholds, most likely due to the release of endorphins. It's similar to how a "runner's high" keeps runners from feeling like crap, only you're doing it horizontal in bed instead!

More from The Stir: 18 Best Sex Positions While Pregnant (PHOTOS)

If the prospect of having a child has you jittery, join the club! Then go have sex. "Having orgasms during pregnancy releases oxytocin, a hormone which can help to alleviate anxiety and stress by reducing cortisol levels in the body and lowering blood pressure," says Kat Van Kirk, a sexologist and marriage and family therapist. Studies show that women who have sex often are way more mellow than those who don't.

Since you and your partner are about to expand your nuclear family, it's good to tighten the bonds between you -- and what better relationship glue is there than sex? In fact, one study found that couples who rolled around together in bed saw their relationship as happier and more stable at 4 months and 3 years after giving birth than couples who didn't make every opportunity to connect. After all, Dr. Jones points out, "Who wouldn’t be happier in their relationship by having frequent sex? It's also a great way for husbands to indicate to their wives that they find them desirable despite their changing bodies, and to show their appreciation for caring for their unborn child."

More from The Stir: Is It Safe to Try This 'Forbidden' Sex Act While Pregnant?

While some women feel a dip in their libido and sexual satisfaction levels during pregnancy, this is by no means universal. According to one study, 38 percent of women admitted to higher levels of sexual desire during pregnancy than before, and 48 percent also confessed that their sexual satisfaction levels skyrocketed. Which makes sense when you think about it. "During pregnancy your hormones are raging, and increased vasocongestion is bringing more blood flow below the belt, increasing genital sensitivity," explains sexologist Yvonne Fulbright, author of The Better Sex Guide to Extraordinary Lovemaking. And dude, who would want to miss out on the BEST orgasm of her life?!