Is it a sin to have sex when your wife is pregnant?

[zootjeff]

The reasons condoms are ALWAYS forbidden, no matter what (remember there was some controversy a couple of years ago about some Bishops in Africa allowing married couples to use condoms during infertile periods when one was HIV positive, and the Vatican cracked down on that?) is not about contraception, but that condoms themselves place a literal barrier between husband and wife, thereby destroying the unitive
aspect of intercourse, which is required along w/ the procreative. I think this has been discussed in the Ask An Apologist forum, but I can’t remember.

In Christ,

Ellen

Ok, I just read this. I guess I can just let it go. No barriers between husband and wife, even if it is for her well being to prevent infection. No sex in these cases. Seems oppressive and bad for the woman in cases where infection prevention is the goal, and sexual needs being met is desired, but what the Church says goes…

 

[newbetx]

Really? Are there texts in this context that support your claim? This makes almost as much sense as saying: “Well the Catholic church doesn’t like condoms under any circumstances. Rubber Gloves are like condoms, Cut off a glove finger and it looks like a condom. Therefore the church is against rubber gloves.” So better just handle that Sodium Hydroxide with your bare hands. Or better yet. Guns have the intention of killing people, not people, so outlaw the guns.

Condoms are a tool. You can use them to go against the Church or you can use them as a method to prevent infection in times of infertility. If you’re going to argue against this, I’m going to tell people to cut the fingers off of rubber gloves and use that instead because they’re not condoms and won’t go against these odd teachings of the Church…

-Jeff

Why would anyone attempt to have sex with their wife if they had an infection that a condom may/may not prevent it’s spread?

If you want to go against the teachings of the Catholic Church, no one here will stop you. If you don’t care what the Church teaches, it’s not OUR problem. We’re here to properly educate those that are asking for clarification of Church teachings. Please try to help the OP by keeping the thread on subject.

 

[Newbie2]

Ok, I just read this. I guess I can just let it go. No barriers between husband and wife, even if it is for her well being to prevent infection. No sex in these cases. Seems oppressive and bad for the woman in cases where infection prevention is the goal, and sexual needs being met is desired, but what the Church says goes…

I don’t buy this barrier argument, even if the contraceptive issue is off the board. You mean to say that an act of intercourse does not contribute to the unity of the couple if a condom is used? Do you have any specific reference that this is a Church teaching?

Of course, that may be a mute point for the Church, since such a barrier is by nature contraceptive as well.

Why would anyone attempt to have sex with their wife if they had an infection that a condom may/may not prevent it’s spread?

If you want to go against the teachings of the Catholic Church, no one here will stop you. If you don’t care what the Church teaches, it’s not OUR problem.

So if someone disagrees, the heck with them, don’t even try to sway them with Church teaching?

Anyway, it’s not necessarily that the man would have an infection, but that the normal bacteria that would might otherwise not be a problem might be so during pregnancy for some women.

But good point…why take the risk?

 

[newbetx]

The OP asked the question that is the title of this thread.

The answer is NO. It is NOT a sin to have proper marital relations with your pregnant wife. For more clarity. Read TOB.

If you would like to get more (name removed by moderator)ut to “it should be OK to have sex with a condom with pregnant wife” or on any other tangential topic discussed here, please start a new thread. It will be helpful to others that may have the same question.

 

[whatevergirl]

Is it me…or did many posters read WAY TOO MUCH into the OP’s question? His wife is pregnant…what’s the Church’s stance on having sex? That’s it.

:hypno:

 

[rpp]

Is it me…or did many posters read WAY TOO MUCH into the OP’s question? His wife is pregnant…what’s the Church’s stance on having sex? That’s it.

:hypno:

Of course we read things that were not there. That is half the fun of this place. (The other half is making fun of people when they read things that are not there! )

http://bestsmileys.com/oneofakind/11.gif

 

[Newbie2]

Is it me…or did many posters read WAY TOO MUCH into the OP’s question? His wife is pregnant…what’s the Church’s stance on having sex? That’s it.

:hypno:

Well, ya know, sometimes we get carried away…:juggle:

 

[whatevergirl]

Of course we read things that were not there. That is half the fun of this place. (The other half is making fun of people when they read things that are not there! )

http://bestsmileys.com/oneofakind/11.gif

well ok then!! At least we admit to doing that. hahaha

 

[StratusRose]

I have always read and been told (by my doctor) that sex is safe up until the water breaks…THEN a woman is prone to infection. I never heard of any couple using condoms in the last weeks of pregnancy to prevent infection while trying to stimulate labor.

When the apple is ripe, it’ll fall from the tree. Sex, walking, castor oil, sitting on the washer/dryer may or may not help. It’s when the baby is ready or when a doctor induces labor artificially.

In reference to the condom debate: does the Church not say that EACH and EVERY marital act must be unitive AND open to life? Obviously, you are open to life, but using a condom seperates these two aspects that cannot be seperated, ever.

 

[iamrefreshed]

Is it a sin to have sex when your wife is pregnant?

Only if it is with someone other than your wife.

 

[ALLGIRLS]

I honestly don’t remember where I read that (about condoms breaking the unitive function of the marital act), but it was sometime during the controversy over the bishops in Africa giving the ok to married couples to use condoms during infertile periods when one was hiv positive. The Vatican made them retract their “permission”, and that was the reason, b/c barriers aren’t just about contraception. Sorry I can’t provide a source

I personally don’t think it’s that much of a stretch to have to abstain during a pregnancy if the only option is using a condom. The secular world permits LOTS of things the Church prohibits. Sometimes intercourse itself is prohibited during pregnancy for medical reasons, and “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” (very, maddeningly, secular book about pregnancy) recommends couples engage in “mutual masterbation” or oral sex during those times. The Church obviously forbids that, too. You just have to pray a lot and offer it up.

Honestly, the way some people act, I’m surprised anyone makes it through the 6 weeks post partum period of dr. ordered abstinence. On another forum I frequent a guy said that’s the only time he looks at porn, and feels perfectly justified in that, as he “needs it” at least 3 x week, and his wife understands (he’s not Catholic, but claimed to be a Christian). What are we, animals? Jesus went 33 years, and Paul was how old when he died? With God all things are possible

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[st_lucy]

1. There is no way that intercourse during pregnancy will result in a pregnancy. Not a “slim” or “very unlikely occurance”. It cannot happen.

This is not true you can read about that here, here and here.

 

[7rosario]

Hi all,

I have a rather weird question to ask. I am sure some of you will be laughing at me.

2 nights ago my wife want to have sex with me but I was a little reluctant to do so because I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to do it whilst she was expecting. She got alittle upset and was whinning about how she didn’t feel sexy and that I thought she was fat (I never ever said that in my life she will always be beautiful to me). It’s not because I didn’t love her but I wasn’t sure if it was sinful or not and weather it would harm the baby.

I am not a theology expert but I am pretty sure that in the bible there are passages pertaining to when you are not allowed to have sex with your wife. at least that is what I have been told.

Thanks

I’d say that it is sinful, since it’d be done only for pleasure.
“THE ACT OF MARRIAGE EXERCISED FOR PLEASURE ONLY IS ENTIRELY FREE OF ALL FAULT AND VENIAL DEFECT.” (Denz. 1159) -**Condemned **by Pope Innocent XI.

 

[st_lucy]

I’d say that it is sinful, since it’d be done only for pleasure.
“THE ACT OF MARRIAGE EXERCISED FOR PLEASURE ONLY IS ENTIRELY FREE OF ALL FAULT AND VENIAL DEFECT.” (Denz. 1159) -**Condemned **by Pope Innocent XI.

Only if you are only trying to please yourself and have no consideration of your spouse. Sex within marriage should be of giving oneself completely to their spouse.

Also there is the small chance that one can conceive another child while they are pregnant so you are still being open to life.

 

[Mirror_Mirror]

I’d say that it is sinful, since it’d be done only for pleasure.
“THE ACT OF MARRIAGE EXERCISED FOR PLEASURE ONLY IS ENTIRELY FREE OF ALL FAULT AND VENIAL DEFECT.” (Denz. 1159) -**Condemned **by Pope Innocent XI.

If pleasure was the main intent, then it would be sinful, however, since you do not know the intent, you cannot say that it is sinful.

Sex during pregnancy is not “only for pleasure.” Sex in and of itself is not only for pleasure. Aside from being procreative, sex is unitive. Uniting the husband and wife in a renewal of their wedding vows.

 

[7rosario]

Also there is the small chance that one can conceive another child while they are pregnant so you are still being open to life.

Oh, I didn’t know that. You mean a non-identical twin?

 

[rpp]

After some further reflection, I have come to the personal conclusion that using condoms during the late stages of pregnancy (when the extraordinarily remote chance of conceiving a second child has passed) for the purpose of avoiding infection is not something I would do.

I will not say that it is sinful in this very narrow circumstance, but I do not think it is properly ordered. One can always exercise abstinence when there is a danger of spreading infection during the marital act.

 

[rpp]

Oh, I didn’t know that. You mean a non-identical twin?

Yep, but it is extraordinarily rare.

Take a look at these posts.

Hi rpp,
It’s possible.
multiples.about.com/od/glossary/g/superfetation.htm

~ Mother of twins
:bounce: :bounce:

Thank you.

It appears this is possible in two circumstances, until menstruation ceases (within a month) or if the woman has a double uterus. Only 70 cases of double-womb birth are known. Approximately 1 in 1,000 women have uterus didelphys in the UK. (See this article.)

If someone is talking about the 8th or 9th month, and the woman has normal physiology, then it is simply not biologically possible in humans for the woman to become pregnant again. Given these limitations, I stand by what I said.

I was pretty shocked when I learned this was possible.

 

[AeroChunky]

If pleasure was the main intent, then it would be sinful, however, since you do not know the intent, you cannot say that it is sinful.

Sex during pregnancy is not “only for pleasure.” Sex in and of itself is not only for pleasure. Aside from being procreative, sex is unitive. Uniting the husband and wife in a renewal of their wedding vows.

If pleasure was the main intent, then it would be sinful, however, since you do not know the intent, you cannot say that it is sinful.

Sex during pregnancy is not “only for pleasure.” Sex in and of itself is not only for pleasure. Aside from being procreative, sex is unitive. Uniting the husband and wife in a renewal of their wedding vows.

I dunno…I think the main intent of sex is always pleasure. Pleasuring your spouse and yourself. Remain open to life all you want, unless you are specifically trying to make a baby that time, the main intent is to make your spouse and yourself feel good. But it’s very nature, the please you experience during sex bringd about the unitive aspect of spousal intimacy.

And especially during pregnancy, most of the good Catholic folks out there are blissfully unaware that they can conceive, so they are doing it primarily for pleasure, in the unitive aspect.

I can see how this statement can be true:

I’d say that it is sinful, since it’d be done only for pleasure.
“THE ACT OF MARRIAGE EXERCISED FOR PLEASURE ONLY IS ENTIRELY FREE OF ALL FAULT AND VENIAL DEFECT.” (Denz. 1159) -Condemned by Pope Innocent XI.

 

[StratusRose]

Pleasure is the motivation for sex. What’s wrong with sharing pleasure with my spouse whilst pregnant? Having sex for pleasure is wrong when you’re

a. contracepting (not open to life)
b. not married
c. not interested in the dignity of your spouse, only fulfilling your selfish desires.

Just because married couples have sex for pleasure does not mean they are being selfish or unholy. Come on, God made it pleasurable. Why not enjoy it?

Natural infertility (i.e. pregnancy, menopause, breastfeeding) was designed by God. I don’t think He expects us to stop having sex because there’s no possibility for new life.