Using Sex Toys during Pregnancy
The taboos surrounding sex toys are crumbling, but when it comes to masturbating with sex toys during pregnancy, some persistent taboos remain. Female sexual pleasure remains a sensitive topic. And the almost sacred image of the pregnant woman occupies a prominent place. But there is no law, divine or otherwise, regulating the sexual behavior of pregnant women. Women are sexual beings, a fact that changes only slightly with pregnancy.
For decades, the sexuality of pregnant women was rarely discussed or explored, but attitudes are changing. So let's talk about the use of sex toys during pregnancy to learn the unvarnished truth about sex toys, masturbation and pregnancy.
The Pregnant Libido
Many mothers will happily tell you that they have never felt more sexually aroused than during their pregnancy. This effect is due to increased blood flow to support the life growing in the womb. That blood flow makes the mother's body more sensitive in key areas such as the breasts and genitals. And so, whether people want to talk about masturbation during pregnancy or not, women are already doing it in response to significant changes caused by pregnancy.
Although some women feel less sexually inclined during pregnancy, due to fatigue and normal weight gain, others feel more naughty than normal, often masturbating during pregnancy. This is especially true immediately after conception, when a woman's body is flooded with the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Then, during the second trimester, there is a new spike in libido, so be prepared, if you plan to get pregnant or are pregnant now. But if you're reading this, you may already be experiencing these effects. But if you have any doubts about using sex toys during pregnancy, I hope the information here will allay your fears.
Talk to your gynecologist
Sex during pregnancy is surrounded by cultural taboos, especially regarding the use of sex toys. Pregnant women used to be culturally shrouded, which extended to the way they dressed. The "baby bump" had to be hidden by bulky clothing. Those taboos extended to sex, with men fearing they might harm the life growing inside their partner by having intercourse. And masturbating during pregnancy, of course, was out of the question!
Readers will be comforted by a study from 2019 that has
debunked the myth that sex would induce labor and otherwise found no difference in outcomes for women who had sex during pregnancy and those who abstained. Indeed, sex was found to have no impact on premature labor or final birth weight.
However, always follow your gynecologist's instructions if your pregnancy is affected by any of the following conditions:
- Incompetent cervix: the cervix is short (less than 22 cm long), which poses a risk for premature birth - Spotting or bleeding - Placenta previa: the placenta covers the cervix - Vasa previa: the umbilical cord (full of blood vessels feeding the fetus) is too close to the cervix.
It is also important to avoid any sexual activity, including masturbation during pregnancy, if your waters have broken. Once this has happened, labor is imminent and the barrier between the uterus and the outside world is gone, leaving you and the baby vulnerable to infection, including through the insertion of sex toys. During pregnancy, it is always important to keep in close contact with your gynecologist to make sure you are in safety, as conditions can and will change throughout the 9 months of your pregnancy.
Pregnant Masturbation and the Big O
Because of increased blood flow and hormone levels, orgasms during pregnancy take on a new and vibrant life. During the first trimester, women may feel nausea most of the time or only occasionally. There may be times when you are totally ready, followed by times when you feel too nauseous to get up. Listen to yourself and your body. Every pregnant woman is different!
It is during the second trimester that you will probably find your sweet spot for using sex toys during pregnancy. The nausea has calmed down and your body is getting used to pregnancy, leaving a little room for love! At this point of pregnancy, physical sensation in erogenous zones is high and orgasm comes more easily. And your body chemistry, enriched by a flood of oxytocin (the "love hormone"), is in the mood! Orgasm releases even more oxytocin, so what you will experience is a decidedly more powerful orgasm.
During the third trimester, women often feel sluggish as the baby bump grows. In addition, anxiety that the baby will arrive soon can get in the way of arousal. Many couples abstain during the third trimester because of the expectant mother's fatigue and the heavy burden she carries. But there is no risk to the baby if the pregnancy is not considered risky. And using sex toys is also safe until your water breaks. Just keep them clean!