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Unless your GP or m,idwife advises otherwise, you can continue to have sex when your baby’s head is engaged, although you may find positions that allow for shallow penetration more comfortable.

At 28 weeks, the milk-producing hormone prolactin will kick in – good news for your baby, bad news for your sex life as prolactin can suppress your libido

Don’t feel under pressure to resume your sex life until you feel ready. It all depends on how quickly your body heals.

Lochia is normal, post-birth bleeding and can last froma few days to six weeks. You probably won’t be able toi use tampons and you’ll probably need to wear sanitary towels of the rather bulky variety until the bleeding becomes lighter.

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If you’ve had a vaginal birth, you may suffer from what is delightfully termed ‘vaginal slackness’. Doing your pelvic floor exercises religiously will correct this.

Breastfeeding isn’t 100% effective as a contraceptive, so unless you love your maternity clothes so much that you want to be back wearing them a few months after you give birth, arrange a reliable form of contraception.

Georgeous as he is, your new baby can kill your sex life stone dead unless you plan. New parents don’t do spontaneous sex, they do, ‘Grandma’s taken the baby to the park for half an hour, let’s go to bed’ sex.

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Speaking of sex aids during pregnancy, youi can use them safely, but make sure you clean them thoroughly to avoid infections

Got a summer cold? You can’t take over-the-counter remedies while you’re pregnant, but sex can boost your immune system by 20% – now that’s got to be more fun than a week of Lemsip.

According to one study, male babies produce more androgens – the sex hormones that increase your libido – than females. So start thinking about some boys’ names if you’re wearing your partner out on a nightly basis

Sensual massage is a great way to feel intimate with your partner, particularly if you’re not feeling up to floorbopard-rattling sex. You don’t need to be experts, just use a pregnancy-safe oil and watch out for any pained facial expressions that might suggest you’re massaging a bit too hard.

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Taking a bath or shower together and getting your partner to wash you is a great way for him to get to know your changing body. If he’s up for it, a blindfold (for him, not you) will add to the sensuality

Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) contracted during pregnancy can affect your unborn baby and may cause premature labour. Some STIs can also be passed to your baby during delivery. If you’re concerned, see your GP or visit a genitourinary medicene clinic for treatment.

One of the most important sex aids you can have during pregnancy is a sense of humour. Trying new positions to accommodate your growing bump is unlikely to be the most dignified sexual exsperimentation you’ve ever undertaken, but at least you’ll both be able to laugh about it afterwards

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You might be feeling sick, washed out and bloated, but to the average bloke on the street, your pregnancy curves are the ultimate sign of fertilioty. So don’t be alarmed if your previously surly bus driver starts winking at you in the morning

If deep penetration becomes uncomfortable as yopur pregnancy progresses, tilting your hips upwards and supporting them with a pillow will stop your man thrusting too deeply

Accept that there will be times during your pregnancy when you and your partner are out of sync sexually and try to maintain intimacy in non-sexual ways, like having a cuddle or just holding hands

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Nocturnal action your partner may find less loveable is snoring. A third of all women snore during pregnancy as hormones can cause the membranes in your nose to swell. Great

If anal sex is part of your repertoire, you can continue (carefully), but use a condom. Anal sex won’t harm your baby directly, but your man should wash thoroughly afterwards so you avoid and potential vaginal infection or transmission of bugs such as E. coli

If your partner doesn’t fancy an eyeful of breastmilk, tell him to stay away from your boobs for a bit. Post-birth boobs may spurt milk at embarassing moments – but once you’ve suffered the physical indignities of giving birth, you won’t find this nearly as mortifying as you’d think

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Semen contains substances called prostaglandins, which can soften the cervix and kick-start contractions to bring on an overdue labour. If you’re not due, the only thing to move should be the earth…

Oral sex is fine, but hormones can make your vaginal secretions taste stronger. And make sure your partner knows that blowing into your vagina can be dangerous for you and the baby.

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After you orgasm, you may not feel your baby move for a bit, or he may go bonkers. That’s because contractions in your uterus caused by your climax can soothe some babies and stimulate others.

Your GP may advise you against sex during your pregnancy if you have a history of miscarriage or low-lying placenta, or are diagnosed with an incompetent cervix. Time to polish up your foreplay skills then.

Sexual desire can fluctuate from day to day during pregnancy, so if you jump on your partner as soon as he walks in the door one night and get into bed in your biggest up-to-the-armpits pants the next, blame it on your hormones

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High levels of progesterone and oestrogen during pregnancy will make your breasts and vagina super sensitive and you may orgasm more quickly and more often than usual. As side effects go, it beats getting piles hands down.

Bleeding after sex is usually nothing to worry about. During pregnancy, erosions or small, harmless growths (polyps) can develop on your cervix, which might bleed during penetration. But if you bleed heavily after sex, feel any pain or have contractyions that don’ty subside after 30 minutes, get checked out by your midwife or GP immediately

Some men, faced with their partner’s pregnant curves, will think ‘Let me at her!’ but others may find your new body less sexy. Talk honestly about how you’re both feeling, and if he’s worried about hurting the baby, reassure him that while he is, of course, extremely well-endowed, the baby is well protected in your womb.

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A toned pelvic floor will improve your sex life, make labour easier and stop you peeing every time you cough or laugh after the birth. Squeeze your pelvic muscles for at least 10 seconds, relax and repeat 10 times.

The missionary position is not easy for heavily-pregnant women. Instead try spooning, when you both lie on your sides with your partner curled in behind you.

Thank your hormones for all that hot sex you’ll be having with Brad Pitt/George Clooney/the bloke on the train – in your dreams! Some women even orgasm in their sleep (just try explaning that one to your partner….)