Blogger Encourages Pregnant Women to Masturbate During Labour

A doula and birth photographer is urging pregnant women to consider masturbation during labour. Angela Gallo from Melbourne, Australia, is raving about the technique because it helped her with her extremely painful contractions during the birth of her second child. She told Daily Mail Australia that her first birth was “highly medicalised” (she had an epidural) before adding: “Something I’m particularly passionate about is choices in childbirth.” Angela wrote about her decision to masturbate between contractions on her blog. The post is called ‘Why I touched myself in labour – here’s 3 reasons you should consider it, too!’ She kicks off by saying: “Yes, you heard me right. And don't be so shocked. Birth & Sex operate in almost the exact same ways. “The hormones, sensations, the anatomy involved, brain activity, receptors...they are all so heavily intertwined.” Image via Facebook/Angela Gallo “Our vulvas swell, blood flow is increased, we moan, sway our hips, deep breathing, sweat - we drop into a seriously sacred intimate space. “Heck, women around the world are experiencing orgasmic childbirth. I wanted to make sure I had a piece of that pie!” She explained how clitoral stimulation during labour not only made her second birth more empowering but also more enjoyable and less painful. The three reasons that she is encouraging soon-to-be mums to try it out are: it produces the hormones that help during birth; it serves as a natural pain reliever; and it feels good. You can read the full blog post here. To find out more about Angela, check out her Facebook page here. If you have any tips that helped during childbirth, email me at rebecca.mcknight@herfamily.ie.