Being pregnant is exhausting! Not only do you have another life inside you, leeching all of your resources and making you feel terribly uncomfortable, but there’s just so much for you to be aware of. And it’s not exactly a short stroll in the park either – pregnancy is 9-months of ups and downs.
It’s a beautiful thing indeed and when you have a wonderful screaming, pooping baby at the end of it you’ll know that it’s all been worth it. However, what do you do in the meantime to keep yourself from going crazy? For example: what if you get horny? Is masturbation safe while you are pregnant? What are the pros and cons? Read on to find out more!
Is masturbating while pregnant safe?
Is masturbation during pregnancy safe? In low-risk pregnancies yes, masturbation is perfectly safe indeed. In fact, it can help to reduce some of the stress and manage your libido. Just make sure that you follow the advice of your doctor if you are worried.
What are the advantages of masturbating while pregnant?
Masturbating is great for the body and it might excite you to learn that some women even report having stronger orgasms while pregnant. But how else can it benefit you?
- Reduce stress
- Improve your sleep
- Ease pregnancy-related pain
- Release endorphins and improve mood
What are the side effects of masturbation during pregnancy?
As you progress later into your pregnancy, you may experience cramps or ‘Braxton-Hicks’ contractions after an orgasm. While these can be uncomfortable, it’s nothing to worry about. [Source]
Is it risky?
Again, unless you are having a high-risk pregnancy, masturbation is perfectly safe to do. Your doctor / midwife will be able to tell you whether or not you have the green light so try not to panic.
Bear in mind that as you approach your due date, vaginal penetration (or even experiencing an orgasm) can trigger labour. In some cases, your doctor may suggest avoiding sex and masturbation in order to reduce the risk of a premature delivery.
You should also be sure to trim your nails to avoid breaking the skin and keep your sex toys especially clean to minimise your risk of infection.
When should you avoid sex and/or masturbation during pregnancy?
Ultimately, you should have a lengthy conversation with your doctor about the risks involved – don’t be shy, it’s a perfectly good question to ask and we all do it! They will be keeping a close eye on you throughout your pregnancy and if they have any doubts about whether you should be having sexual intercourse or masturbating then they will let you know. In most cases, you should be good to go, but it’s always worth double checking before busting out the sex toys.
My partner wants to have sex but I don’t feel comfortable
It’s perfectly normal to feel bloated and uncomfortable when you are pregnant and this doesn’t make you feel particularly sexy. If your partner wants to have sex but you are not in the mood, there is much that you can do to alleviate this situation. For example, there are many sex toys for men online that can keep them occupied in the meantime. Tell him you want him to take care of himself because you’ve got more to manage than usual (i.e. a bub inside of you) – it won’t be long before you can get back to baby-making..