Sex Toys While Pregnant | 5 Important Tips for Safe Use

Sex toys are here to stay. More and more women, and couples, have included vibrators, dildos and other sex toys in their sexual activities. When it comes to sexual activity and sexual pleasure, there are no limits but those we set ourselves.

A satisfying sex life doesn’t need to stop for pregnant women. Many pregnant women are curious or concerned, though, about using sex toys while pregnant.

Let’s have a look at sexual arousal, sex drive and the use of sex toys while pregnant.

Are sex toys safe during pregnancy?

Rest assured, it’s perfectly safe to use sex toys during pregnancy. If you have a history of miscarriage or other high-risk factors, your healthcare provider would have told you to avoid sex for the first trimester of pregnancy.

If you have a high-risk pregnancy but your healthcare provider has given you the green light to have sex, that also means you can add a sex toy, or many, to your sexual activities.

Of course, if you have a healthy low-risk pregnancy, there’s no reason why you can’t use sex toys. In fact, you might find that you achieve orgasm more easily, your orgasms are more intense or you get to experience multiple orgasms while you are pregnant. This is due to increased blood flow to the pelvic area – so make the most of it while you can!

Do you know anyone who would say ‘no’ to a better sex life? Pregnancy is a very important step in our sex life. As the pregnancy progresses you might feel more sexual and willing to have sex much more often. This is just your body directing you towards what’s healthiest.

The importance of female orgasm has come to light in the latest research. Orgasming frequently has numerous benefits for the individual. When orgasms happen during pregnancy, the growing baby also experiences those healthy benefits.

Just start slowly, if you or your partner are a little unsure or worried. Be sure to guide your partner as to what feels comfortable and pleasurable, so that, as your sexual desire increases, you can both relax and enjoy the experience.

Using sex toys while pregnant

Here are some tips to help you have a positive experience with your sex toys while pregnant.

#1. Go phthalate free

Always choose phthalate-free sex toys. Phthalates are used to soften plastics, to make them more flexible.

They can be toxic, especially to developing children, which is why manufacturers are removing them from children’s toys, and can disrupt hormones.

Phthalates have been linked to many health problems, including miscarriage, gestational diabetes and infertility; therefore, if you can’t see, from the packaging, what the toy is made of or if it doesn’t say ‘phthalate free’, then give it a miss.

#2. Wash to prevent thrush

Because you are more prone to thrush during pregnancy, make sure you put cleanliness first. It’s easy to keep your sex toys clean. Just thoroughly wash all your sex toys with warm soapy water after each use.

For more information read our article Thrush During Pregnancy – 10 Tips To Fight Thrush.

#3. Keep anal sex play separate

If you use your sex toy for anal play, no matter whether you are pregnant or not, make sure you wash it thoroughly before you use it near your vaginal area. The bacteria can give you a vaginal infection or thrush.

You might like to use a condom on the sex toy; you can take it off afterwards, instead of having to wash the toy – especially if it is porous. Hard plastic or glass type toys can be better in this instance.

#4. Prevent urinary tract infections

Make sure you empty your bladder after you have any form of sex while pregnant, even if you just use toys or lube. You are more prone to bladder infections during pregnancy so it’s important to reduce the risk of bacteria entering the urinary tract.

In some cases, urinary tract infections during pregnancy can result in premature labor. Of course, make sure you drink plenty of water, too; it will help flush out any nasties in your system.

#5. Keep your oxytocin levels up

Oxytocin is the love hormone. It’s the hormone we secrete when we are happy and when love enters our blood flow.

Having oxytocin running through our veins is one of the best health habits anyone can have. During pregnancy, oxytocin released by the mother will be passed on to her baby through the placenta. The hour following birth is the time when a person releases the highest oxytocin rush.

Reaching orgasm is a close second. Having frequent orgasms as the pregnancy progresses will nurture the baby’s habitat and brain. There’s nothing better for your baby’s health and optimal brain development than a growing atmosphere impregnated with the love hormone.

If you want to read more about different sex positions while pregnant, check out our article Pregnancy Sex Positions – 7 Ideas For Pregnant Couples.

Sex toys 101

You might be reading this because you’re pregnant and want to know whether you can continue to use your sex toys while pregnant. Perhaps your sex drive is higher during pregnancy and you’re looking for new ways to explore your sexuality. Either way, let’s look at the use of sex toys while pregnant.

Most women use sex toys for two main reasons: One is for masturbation; the other is to increase their pleasure while having sex with their partners.

Sex toys for masturbation

Many women use a vibrator for self pleasure. The wand vibrator is the most common type; however, there are many different options available on the market. Some of them are very small, or pocket size; some are even disguised as a lipstick or facial massage device.

As long as it is safe for you to have sex and your healthcare provider hasn’t advised otherwise, you can use a vibrator while pregnant as often as you want.

Sex toys for intercourse

The uses of sex toys are varied and more and more couples are including them in their sexual encounters.

Very often, sex toys are introduced into couple sex, to provide clitoral stimulation during vaginal penetration. However, there are no right or wrong ways to use a vibrator while pregnant.

Just follow the advice mentioned above, with regard to keeping bacteria at bay, and let your imagination fly. There is no right or wrong way to experience pleasure. My best advice would be: if it feels good for both of you, go ahead.

Do you have a favorite vibrator to use while pregnant? Please be generous and share with our readers.

What if I notice bleeding after sex?

Sometimes you might experience bleeding after sex during pregnancy, which might seem scary at first but is quite common. From a low lying placenta previa to rough sex, there are several things that might lead to the breaking of some small blood vessels.

If you’re pregnant and experience some kind of bleeding after having sex, contact your healthcare provider, who will be able to advise you what to do.

For more information, read our article about Bleeding After Sex While Pregnant.

You might also find the following articles of interest:

Can You Have Sex While Pregnant? – Will It Harm The Baby?

Is It Safe To Orgasm While Pregnant? – 5 Reasons To Enjoy It

Masturbating While Pregnant – 5 Important Reasons It Is Safe And Normal.