Using Sex Toys During Pregnancy

Read about the author Samantha Evans

When you are pregnant you may be concerned or curious if it is safe to use sex toys. It is perfectly safe to use sex toys while pregnant except if you have a history of miscarriage or other high risk pregnancy problems: in which case, your GP or midwife will have advised you to avoid sexual intercourse during the first trimester of pregnancy.

If you are otherwise healthy, there is no reason not to enjoy sex toys. You may find you have incredible or multiple orgasms during pregnancy due to the increased blood flow to the pelvic area. Raging hormonal levels during pregnancy may mean you enjoy sex even more and your sexual desires are very different, just like your taste for food! Just try whatever works for you.

You may wish to have orgasms using sex toys towards the end of your pregnancy as your size and shape changes with the development of your baby and penetrative sex may feel uncomfortable.

Start slowly if you or your partner are unsure or worried. Some men worry they are going to injure the baby when their partner is pregnant but the baby is well protected in the amniotic fluid. Tell your partner what feels comfortable and pleasurable so you can both relax and enjoy the experience.

Foreplay can be enhanced by using a sex toy. If you go off full penetrative sex during pregnancy, sex toys can help you maintain a loving intimacy with your partner. You can achieve strong orgasms using a clitoral vibrator.

Your partner may enjoy using a male product if you are unable to or don’t feel like having penetrative sex to enhance your sexplay.

When using sex toys during pregnancy, follow these useful tips.

Wherever possible, choose phthalate free toys. This advice is recommended for all sex toy choices even if you are not pregnant. Phthalates are used to soften plastic to make them more flexible. They can be toxic, especially for developing children which is why they have been banned from children’s toys.

Phthalates have been linked to many health issues, including fertility as they can disrupt hormonal activity. If a product doesn’t say phthlate free on the packaging or you can’t see what it has been made from by the product description, avoid it.

Many sex toys are made from rubber or a latex type substance. These should be avoided because these materials absorb bacteria and are difficult to clean properly. There have also been allergic reactions linked to latex products.

Silicone products offered a much better, more hygienic solution. The texture of silicone toys is more like that of skin, they feel silky smooth rather than sticky (like rubber or latex toys) and they do not absorb bacteria.

During pregnancy you have a greater risk to developing thrush due to hormonal changes, therefore keeping your toys clean is extremely important. Thoroughly washing them with soapy water, rinsing and drying them and storing them in a dry, clean place after each use is recommended. Again, by choosing a silicone, metal or glass toy you will avoid any bacteria being absorbed by the toy.

Use a good quality lubricant with your sex toy.

Using a pH balanced lubricant such as YES organic lubricants can also help reduce the incidence of thrush which many women are more prone to during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.

It is best to avoid products that have not be designed for vaginal use such as storecupboard ingredients or those found in your bathroom cabinet. Just because something is safe to eat does not mean it is good for your vagina!

If you use your toy for anal sex, no matter if you are pregnant or not, make sure you thoroughly wash it before using it near your vaginal area. You may wish to use a condom on the sex toy which can be removed after use, especially if you are using a latex or rubber toy which will absorb any bacteria from the anal area.

Empty your bladder before sex if you need to and always after you have sex or even if you are just using lubrication or a sex toy. This advice applies even if you are not pregnant. Your urethra is quite short and bacteria can enter the bladder during sex, causing urinary tract infections. In some cases, urinary tract infections can lead to pre term labour. Also, make sure you drink plenty of water to flush out any bacteria.

Do not use sex toys internally if:

• Your GP has advised you to abstain from sex. This may have been advised if you may have a low lying placenta (placenta previa) or have had a weak cervix in a previous pregnancy.

• You have been told you could go into early labour.

• You have a vaginal infection.

• Your waters have broken.

• If you have ever experienced vaginal bleeding before being pregnant, inform your midwife or GP prior to having sex or using sex toys.

• If you experience any vaginal bleeding during or after sex or after using a sex toy, contact your midwife or GP. A small amount of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is normal and may be due to the cervix being irritated but it is best to err on the side of caution.

Most of all, enjoy having great sex during pregnancy. Although, you may not feel like having sexual intercourse for a while once your baby has arrived, you can enjoy using your sex toy after childbirth to help you overcome any sexual health issues following delivery.