Can You Use Sex Toys In your 1st Trimester?

It's easy to think that as soon as you test positive for pregnancy, you'll begin to test negative for awesome sex, but that doesn't have to be the case. In fact, sex can be better and more creative than before you got pregnant, including using your favorite toys. But can you use sex toys during the first trimester, or do you have to wait until you're farther along?

As luck would have it, provided your OB-GYN tells you that you are safe to indulge in sexual activity, using most sex toys during your first trimester is completely safe, but with a few provisos.

I spoke with Vanessa Putnam, a British midwife and women's sexual health advocate, to get her take on sex toys and the first trimester. Putnam tells Romper, "You know, when it comes to sex during pregnancy, most issues surround the level of comfort more than the safety, because sex is pretty safe for most mothers-to-be, but in the case of kink, you need to be a bit more careful." She says that while most things are still on the table, there are a few areas where you need show a bit more caution.

"I'd advise against any hardcore BDSM during pregnancy. Anything that's going to restrict blood flow, like kinbaku ropes, or involves suspension, just doesn't mix well with pregnancy. Once you've got a really big belly, you're worried about protecting that bump, but before that, tight bondage might make you more light-headed, and that's not good for anyone," Putnam adds.

"I'd also say it's a hard, hard pass on nipple clamps during pregnancy at any stage. Nipple stimulation is one of the few things we know can bring on contractions and labor, and it's best to just avoid it. Plus, with all the extra sensitivity to your nipples, they would probably be really painful."

Putnam tells Romper that most of the more vanilla toys, like vibrators, dildos, and anal beads, are perfectly safe during pregnancy, provided they're extremely clean. "Don't use them anally and then use them vaginally, and don't share them between partners without cleaning them first," she says.

She also notes that it's important to make sure your toys are phthalate-free, as phthalates are hormone disrupters that are dangerous to pregnant mothers. The same goes for BPA, also called number seven plastic. It's the ingredient in plastic that makes it rigid, and it is linked to childhood obesity and developmental delays. Putnam says that if you don't know what it's made from, just avoid it. The safest material is 100 percent medical-grade silicone when it comes to sex toys and pregnancy.

Can you use sex toys during your first trimester which are pyrex or leather, though? Putnam says that the harder toys like glass and steel should be used with caution. They're stiffer and less pliable than a hand or a penis, and should be used with care. You don't want to injure your genitals, which are so full of blood during pregnancy and more liable to tear or cause spotting. "As for leather? If it's just a paddle or handcuffs, it's alright, but really, leather isn't a good material for penetration even if you aren't pregnant. It's too porous, and you'll never get it truly clean without damaging your pricey toy."

Provided you're using a clean, safe toy, there is no reason not to indulge in some fun toy action during your first trimester. Just remember to take it a bit easier, and use a little more caution, and you're all set for a fun night with you and your partner.