Masturbation / Question
Published: February 19, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Is it safe to masturbate while pregnant, will it hurt the baby if you do that?
Signed: Safe To Masturbate When Pregnant
Dear Safe To Masturbate When Pregnant,
Masturbation is a great way to experience self-pleasure. This does not have to stop just because someone is expecting.
Unless there are complications with the pregnancy and the doctor has advised a woman not to have sex or masturbate, it's safe to masturbate or enjoy sexual pleasure when you are pregnant because a cushioning sac of amniotic fluid surrounds and protects the fetus. Also, in between the vagina and the uterus (where the baby develops) there is the cervix. The cervix is the narrow end of the uterus (the neck of the womb), which extends into the vagina. This area is almost completely closed until the body prepares to deliver the baby, when the cervix opens (called dilating) to let the baby pass through to the vagina. So there is very little chance that the baby could be harmed by the act of masturbating.
Check out the answer to Could Masturbation Cause Health Problems for more information regarding masturbation. If you live in northern NJ and need to get connected with a physician call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center For Health at (973) 971-6475
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Among young people ages 12-17, prescription drugs have become the second most abused illegal drug, behind marijuana.
