Is it safe to swallow sperm while pregnant?

It should be safe for you to have sex during pregnancy, including oral sex, as long as your healthcare provider gives you the okay. There's little chance that you or your baby would be harmed if you swallow semen, as long as you and your partner only have sex with each other and your partner has tested negative for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

There's even a possibility that swallowing sperm while pregnant has health benefits for your baby – some studies have shown a decreased risk of recurrent miscarriage and preeclampsia in women who swallowed sperm while pregnant.

If your partner does have an STI (or if you're not sure), oral sex may not be safe. It's possible to contract STIs like HIV/AIDS, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, or chlamydia through any kind of sex, including oral sex. Having bleeding gums or sores in your mouth could increase your risk of getting an STI from oral sex.

Some STIs can be passed on to your baby. Syphilis can cross the placenta and infect your baby in the womb, while other infections – including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes – can be transmitted to your baby during labor and delivery.

One way to protect yourself from STIs is to use a condom or dental dam as a barrier whenever you give or receive oral sex. (A dental dam is a piece of latex or polyurethane that goes over the vagina or anus during oral sex.) Learning how to use a dental damOpens a new window (this link contains graphic images) will ensure that it fully protects you during oral sex.

If you have other questions about oral sex or STIs in pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider.