Can You Masturbate While Pregnant?

If you’re pregnant, you probably already know how important it is to take care of yourself. Your body is nourishing a growing baby, so caring for your body is also a form of caring for your growing child. But how does this relate to masturbation? Is it wrong to masturbate while pregnant, or is it just one more form of self-care?

Masturbation is a normal, healthy part of life. This is true regardless of your age, gender, or sexual orientation — and it’s true when you’re pregnant as well. If your pregnancy is progressing normally and is not high-risk, it’s usually not only safe to masturbate while pregnant but good for both you and your baby. Several health benefits are associated with masturbating while pregnant and very few downsides. Let’s take a look.

Is It Normal to Masturbate While Pregnant? 

Yes, you were masturbating while pregnant is normal. Many pregnant women choose to do it. On the other hand, if you haven’t been interested in masturbating during your pregnancy, that may be normal, too. Here’s why. 

Pregnancy hormones can enhance your libido, increasing your desire to masturbate or have sex, especially in the second and third trimesters. But for other women, those same hormones can kill your sex drive altogether. Either extreme is standard, as is anything in between.

Just as some of your friends will say they wanted to have sex throughout their pregnancies, and others will say they didn’t want their partner to touch them during pregnancy, some women will want to masturbate, and others won’t.

The most important thing is to listen to what your body is telling you. 

Is It Safe to Masturbate While Pregnant? 

Masturbating while pregnant is perfectly safe for most women if you have a low-risk pregnancy and doctors aren’t worried about preterm labor.

A good rule of thumb is that if your doctor says it’s OK for you to have sex, it’s also OK for you to masturbate — and if your doctor advises you to abstain from penetrative sex or orgasms, you should probably refrain from masturbating as well.

What Are the Benefits of Masturbating During Pregnancy? 

It’s one thing to say that it’s OK to masturbate during pregnancy, but can you masturbate while pregnant and help your baby thrive?

A million times, yes!

Masturbating has several known health benefits that can be especially good for pregnant women. Here are just a few of the significant upsides: 

Reduces Stress

Masturbating releases dopamine into your body. This feel-good hormone is designed to combat stress, improve your mood and improve your self-esteem. Stress can negatively impact your baby during pregnancy, so using masturbation as a tool for relieving that stress is a good idea.

Improves Your Sleep

If you’ve struggled to get a good night’s sleep since you found out you were pregnant, you’re not alone. From 66% to 94% of women report sleep disturbances during pregnancy.

Luckily, masturbating before bed can be an excellent way to combat pregnancy-related insomnia. Orgasming can relax your body, and you may even find yourself falling asleep after masturbating. 

Relieves Muscle Aches and Pains

Studies show that having an orgasm can be a natural painkiller. So if you’re struggling with an aching back from carrying around that baby weight, or your ankles are painfully swollen, masturbating to the point of orgasm can be a fun, all-natural way to relieve those pains that most women experience at some point during their pregnancy. 

May Be More Comfortable Than Sex

Pregnancy comes with new body aches, pains, and limitations — and some of those new feelings can make sex less comfortable than it was in your pre-pregnancy body. 

Because you can masturbate in almost any position, it can be an excellent way to release endorphins and help your body feel good without worrying about technique or how to position your body relative to your partner. Sometimes, that added comfort can make masturbating during pregnancy preferential over having sex though that can be fun, too!

Excellent Sex Toys for Pregnant Women

Whether you're adding a bit of vibe to your sex life or you want to take charge of your pleasure, sex toys can make a delightful addition to your pregnancy self-care. But that doesn't mean you can dive into things without preparation.

A few guidelines help you make the most of your "pregnancy glow." Whether you've just gotten pregnant or you're almost ready to pop, here's what you need to know about vibrator during pregnancy.

Are Sex Toys Safe During Pregnancy? 

Yes, most of the luxury sex toys are safe. Whether you use a dildo for penetration during masturbation or you want to use a toy to stimulate your clitoris, it can be safely done while you’re pregnant. As long as you don’t have any pregnancy complications that have caused your doctor to tell you not to have sex, all forms of masturbation are on the table. 

Is it safe to use a vibrator during pregnancy?

More information and details in this article: Is Safe to Use a Vibrator While Pregnant?

Are There Risks to Masturbating or Using Sex Toys During Pregnancy? 

Although it’s generally safe to masturbate and use sex toys during pregnancy, you should be aware of certain risk factors. 

High-Risk Pregnancy

If your pregnancy has been deemed high-risk or your doctor has mentioned any concerns about preterm labor, you should talk to your obstetrician before masturbating or using sex toys. For some high-risk women, especially those with high blood pressure, having an orgasm can trigger early labor. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about what you should do while pregnant. 

Preventing Infections

The subsequent most considerable risk to masturbating while pregnant is infection. Urinary tract infections can be more severe while pregnant, and they can also be easier to contract. To prevent getting UTIs from masturbating or using sex toys: 

• Keep your nails trimmed short so you don’t cause cuts to the inside of your vulva.
• Clean your sex toys thoroughly before and after each use.
• Wash your hands before and after masturbating.
• Practice good vaginal hygiene throughout your pregnancy.
• Change your sheets and pajamas often.

Another Form of Self-Care

If you’ve been feeling uncomfortable about masturbating during pregnancy, feel free to let go of the stigma and enjoy yourself. Masturbating is a common, natural act, and it’s one more way that you can care for yourself and your body while you’re pregnant.

Masturbating is a time to focus on connecting with your changing body and learning what feels good to you on a day-by-day basis. Just as you don’t feel embarrassed about taking a shower while you’re pregnant or taking a midday nap, you shouldn’t feel sorry about taking care of your sexual health and well-being.

Read More:

The Benefits of Using Vibrating Underwear

Signs of an Unhealthy Vagina and How To Take Care of It

What Are The Benefits of Orgasms On Your Health?

How To Boost Libido in Women?

References:

‌Masturbation. Planned Parenthood. 

‌Masturbating While Pregnant: Is It Safe? (July 2016). Healthline. 

‌Is it OK to masturbate during pregnancy? (May 2019). Medical News Today.

‌How does masturbation affect the brain? (October 2020). Medical News Today.

‌Stress and Pregnancy. (October 2019). March of Dimes.

‌Insomnia and sleep deficiency in pregnancy. (December 2015). Obstetric Medicine. 

‌Is masturbation good for you? Planned Parenthood.  

‌Can You Use a Vibrator While Pregnant? (December 2020). Healthline. 

‌UTIs During Pregnancy. (September 2020). WebMD.