Orgasmsandchildbirthdon’t usually go together.
But during the actual act of squeezing a baby out of a vagina?
Angela Gallo, a 30-year-old doula and birth photographer living in Melbourne, Australia, begs to differ.
“I labored at home, surrounded by love and support.
I was comfortable, and I felt safe in all that vulnerability.
You might say Gallo’s firstbirthing experienceplanted the seed for the masturbating-while-giving-birth plant to blossom during her second.
I wanted to be truly open and ready the second time around,” she says.
After doing research, she realized that touching herself during birth could actually help in various ways.
In addition to the physical benefit, I wanted the experience to be enjoyable.
So clitoral stimulation resonated a whole lot better with me than medical options," she says.
Still, she says on her blog, “clitoral stimulation worked an absolute TREAT.
It shifted my focus to my vagina, to the energy brewing within me.
Yes, having an orgasm during birth may be unconventional.
Plus, you might have an orgasmic birth even if you don’t actually attempt to.
During birth, all those wires can get crossed for a surprisingly orgasmic result.
“Orgasms and labor both involve rhythmic contractions of muscles in the pelvis,” says Abdur-Rahman.
“As the baby is coming down, there’s pressure on the cervix, vagina, and clitoris.
For some women, that’s all they need.”
“The primary orgasm hormone is oxytocin, which is also released during labor,” he says.
“We call it ‘the love hormone.’
Any stimulation in the uterus, cervix, or vagina can trigger it.”
Abdur-Rahman also says that one of his patients felt as though orgasm made her labor progress more quickly.
Mentally, it doesn’t have to be the same kind of orgasm as the one you have duringsex.
Gallo has gotten both positive and negative reactions to her story.
No one is as invested in her baby than her.
She also acknowledges that this kind of thing isn’t for everyone, and that’s OK!
Even though she’s dealt with some blowback, Gallo is glad she’s been open about her story.
Photo Credit: Lacey Barratt Photography
