Weird Sex Dreams During Pregnancy, Explained

Expert advice on what could be causing you to have out-of-the-ordinary sexual fantasy dreams during pregnancy.

Published on June 11, 2015

hands on pregnant belly in bed — Photo: Jes2u.photo/Shutterstock

So you love your husband, but now that you're pregnant, you're having lots of erotic dreams... And some have nothing to do with him. What gives?

Read on for expert advice about your weird sex dreams and what could be causing them. We can't promise they'll disappear when you're done, we can promise you'll stop stressing about them.

What Causes Sex Dreams During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a time of life when your dreams are wilder than ever. Extra blood flow to your genitals, raised estrogen levels that increase vaginal secretions, and sensitive, enlarged breasts mean your sex drive may be raging. The result? Your pregnancy dreams may reflect your joys and fears about your body in some unexpectedly lusty ways.

Moreover, since you're waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom or massage a leg cramp, you tend to remember more of your nighttime imaginings and more vividly.

Sex Dreams With Other Men

Sex dreams about men other than your husband are oddly very common during pregnancy. If your dreams trouble you, keep a journal and try to dissect what they might mean. Remember, dreams are not literal messages from your subconscious but more complex reflections on your life.

For instance, if some of your erotic dreams have to do with old boyfriends or strangers, perhaps part of your subconscious is saying a final goodbye to that "lost" self as you cross the threshold into parenthood.

Sex Dreams With Women

Sex dreams with other men are one thing, but it's not unheard of for pregnant women to dream they are having sex with women — even though they are not gay. So what could these dreams mean?

Dreams about women probably have less to do with being a lesbian and more to do with appreciating your body in new ways.

"Now that you're pregnant, you're going to be very focused on your body," says Sallie Foley, a sex therapist and coauthor of Sex Matters for Women. "And your dreams may reflect the fact that you love the new life your body is creating. You're discovering that a woman's body is pleasurable, exciting, and powerful in ways you've never experienced before."

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