Wondering if sex toys and masturbation are okay when you're expecting? The good news about sex during pregnancy is that almost anything that feels good for you is generally safe for your baby, as long as you have your doctor’s okay. Always stick to the basic rules of pregnancy safety, and you and your baby will be fine.
Here are some guidelines when it comes to masturbation and sex toys.
Is it safe to masturbate while pregnant?
Unless orgasm is off the table because of a high-risk pregnancy or concerns about premature labor, masturbating during pregnancy, either solo or with your partner, is perfectly safe — and a great way to release any extra tension you're feeling.
As long as your practitioner has given the go-ahead for vaginal penetration and orgasm (which are, rarely, off-limits for a number of reasons), self-pleasuring and sexual activities can be perfectly safe.
Is it safe to use vibrators, dildos and other sex toys during pregnancy?
Sex toys like dildos and vibrators are safe during pregnancy, though make sure that anything you introduce into the vagina is clean before you use it.
Silicone toys that don’t vibrate can be cleaned by boiling for five to 10 minutes or putting in the top rack of the dishwasher; for those that do vibrate, wash in warm water with antibacterial soap for about 20 seconds (special cleaning instructions should be followed for those made of other materials, including hard plastic, rubber, nylon and leather).
While it’s always smart to avoid penetrating the vagina too deeply with a sex toy (and you should never use one with sharp edges that cause you pain), you don’t need to worry about piercing the placenta or hurting the baby. The mucus plug in your cervix safely seals off the uterus — and your little one — from the outside world.
Read This Next
And as with all things sex and pregnancy, don’t worry that your fetus is “watching” — while the baby might be lulled by uterine contractions during orgasm, he can’t see what you’re doing and definitely won't remember it.
Yes 
No 
Trending On What to Expect
