When Angela Gallo was in labour for the second time, after a marathon first labour that left her disappointed in the birth process, she decided to try something different. So, nearing 9-10cm dilation, she masturbated.
What?
You heard it right!
Not only did she find that masturbation made her second birthing experience much more empowering, but she thinks everyone should try it.
The Orgasmic Labour
The idea of orgasming during labour is actually not new. Many women claim that they have naturally orgasmed during birth with no stimulation of any kind. Current estimates are that orgasms aren’t common, but they do happen in about 0.3% of births. It’s not really a surprise that it does happen, considering where the baby is positioned during birth, and studies have shown that an orgasm can make labour a less traumatic ordeal for mums.
So it should surprise nobody that women like Angela Gallo are coming forward to share their experience of an orgasmic labour. Unlike those 0.3% of women who orgasm naturally, Gallo chose to masturbate in order to bring about an orgasm. She claims that, using clitoral stimulation, was perfect for her. To quote a recent blog post she wrote on the topic:
“It made me feel connected, and made me feel like I had some control over what I was feeling. The surges were much more manageable, and the rest between them was so much more enjoyable.”
She’s not the only one.
Debra Pascali-Bonaro, a well known doula and birth educator, has noted that one of the biggest things holding women back from embracing the idea of an orgasmic birth is societal assumptions about appropriate labour:
“It’s such a culture where some women actually feel shamed that they have pleasure, because the expectation is pain,” she said. “We have to change that.”
Why You Should Try It
Apart from the fact that it feels really good (that’s hardly news), here’s why Angela Gallo, and likely a lot of other women, believe that orgasm and masturbation is a smart idea during labour:
The Hormones Match At Both Ends
There are suggestions that the same hormones that get you in the frame of mind for making babies also get you ready for birthing babies. These are oxytocin, endorphin and adrenaline, all of which surge through the body when we experience sexual pleasure. Activities like erogenous stimulation (at the nipple, vagina and clitoris), as well as kissing, intimacy and affection all start the flow of hormones, which can give mum a natural boost as well as help to activate a stalled labour.
It’s A Natural Pain Receiver
The stereotype might be that women complain of headaches to get out of sex, but orgasm has actually been shown to lessen the sensitivity of pain receptors. So while it doesn’t get rid of pain, it does block our system from feeling that pain, all without drugs or any outside medical intervention.
Further From That
If you’re interested in learning more about this idea, we’d recommend having a look at this TED Talk video from Kate Dimpfl called ‘We Must Put The Sex Back Into Birth‘ (NSFW). Dimpfl has done a lot of research, and this talk is really informative and useful if you’re trying to decide if this is something you want to try for yourself.
At The End Of The Day
We love to bring our readers the latest trends and greatest stories from the world of mothering, parenting and life, but we also want to make this clear: you birth your own way. There’s nobody who can tell you that one method of birthing, or one practice, is better or worse than another.
That’s your decision, mumma!
It’s great to be informed about all your options, and all the amazing stuff that’s out there for you, but at the end of the day, that labour is your experience. It can’t be hijacked by anyone else, and that’s just how it should be.
So keep on pushing ladies, because you know how it’s done.
