Pregnancy

 

Pregnancy & Parenthood 

Frequently Asked Questions... 

How soon can a pregnancy test tell if 

I’m pregnant? 

Even the most sensitive tests may give false 

negatives up to 17 days after becoming 

pregnant. With home testing kits, results are 

more likely to be reliable after 3 weeks. 

If I’m working while pregnant, what 

should I think about? 

Try to reduce your shifts in the first few 

months and try not to see any clients who 

tend to be rough. Some clients find pregnant 

women a turn-on and you may get a 

temporary client group. Make sure they 

understand your boundaries and behave 

gently. You may feel more vulnerable and 

emotional during your pregnancy. Remember 

to be aware of security – don’t take chances. 

A client’s body odour or breath may 

exacerbate morning sickness, as can some 

lubes and condoms. 

As your pregnancy progresses you’ll need to 

get clothes and underwear that will give you 

enough support. 

Is it okay to have sex if I’m pregnant? 

Sexual intercourse is relatively safe in a 

‘low-risk’ pregnancy up until the 8th month, 

unless your doctor advises otherwise. A ‘low- 

risk’ pregnancy means no history of stillbirth 

or miscarriage, no diabetes or another 

serious illness, no possibility of multiple 

births, and you’re under 35. 

Your immune system is vulnerable and 

therefore kissing may leave you open to flu 

and colds. Remember that some medications 

are harmful to pregnant women. Don’t allow 

clients to blow into or near your vagina – 

this can cause an air embolism. It’s rare, but 

potentially fatal, and pregnant women are at 

increased risk - it could cause complications 

for both you and the foetus. 

It’s really important to practise safe sex all 

the time. During pregnancy your body is 

more susceptible to infections, especially 

genital warts. Most STIs don’t harm the 

baby, but if they’re present at birth this 

could cause problems. See the page on STIs 

and Pregnancyfor more information. 

Going for sexual health tests is perfectly safe 

and swabs will not harm the baby. 

I’m pregnant and experiencing blood 

loss. What should I do? 

Stop working and see a doctor immediately. 

Spotting during pregnancy can be normal, 

but then again it might be a warning sign of 

something more serious. 

When can I have sex again after having 

a baby? 

Usually 6 weeks after giving birth, 

depending on whether you had a Caesarean 

or vaginal birth, and whether there were any 

complications, such as forceps or ventouse. 

If you have a Caesarean scar it will be 

tender and sex in the missionary position 

may be uncomfortable – go on top. 

If you had an episiotomy (a surgical cut into 

the perineum (the skin between the vagina 

and anus) to prevent tearing during 

delivery), it may cause pain for a number of 

weeks. If intercourse is painful 6 weeks after 

delivery, talk to your doctor. 

Instead of offering penetrative sex you could 

offer oral, massage or use your hands or 

breasts. If you’re breastfeeding, you may 

find a new client group who find this a turn- 

on – see Breastfeeding. 

If you suffer from dryness, or if you’ve had 

stitches which cause you discomfort, water- 

based lubricants may help. 

How soon could I get pregnant again 

after having a baby? 

Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security 

– you could get pregnant as early as 3 

weeks after the birth. You ovulate about 2 

weeks before your period, so you could get 

pregnant again before your periods have 

even returned. 

When will my periods come back after 

childbirth? 

If you’re not breastfeeding, your first period 

could start as early as 5 weeks after the 

birth. If you are breastfeeding, your periods 

might not come back until you’ve stopped, 

but don’t rely on this as a method of 

contraception – see the page on 

Breastfeedingfor more information. 

Pregnancy