When we think of labor, the last thing that comes to mind is often personal pleasure. However, one Australian doula, Emma Collins, reveals that she found relief through self-exploration during her six-hour labor, claiming it helped her manage pain and feel empowered.
In a blog post that gained significant attention, Collins shared that her first childbirth experience was heavily medicalized, which led her to seek out natural pain relief strategies for her second. “I wanted it to be a positive experience,” she explained in an interview with a parenting magazine. Exploring techniques like nipple stimulation and intimate touch, she ultimately discovered that clitoral stimulation was the most effective during the most intense moments of labor.
“Masturbation made the MOST sense to me as I labored through my surges,” Collins wrote, recalling how her partner offered to have sex, but she felt more inclined to focus on her own pleasure. “Clitoral stimulation was incredibly effective. It helped me redirect my focus, making me feel connected and in control of my body.”
While Collins didn’t reach orgasm during labor, she did experience profound pleasure thanks to her supportive environment and self-stimulation. “If I close my eyes now, I am taken back to that moment — the warmth of water on my back, my partner’s reassuring presence, and the wild waves of contractions. Orgasmic? No. But pleasurable? Absolutely! It was my instinctual pain-relief system in action, and I feel proud for exploring something that’s often stigmatized.”
The idea of experiencing pleasure during childbirth might seem unconventional, but a study from the Journal of Sex Research supports its effectiveness. Neuroscientist Dr. Alex Rivera found that clitoral stimulation during labor can significantly raise pain thresholds and block certain pain signals before they reach the nervous system.
Ultimately, each woman’s labor experience is uniquely personal, and how we cope with pain varies. For some, an epidural is a must-have, while others might find solace in movement, vocal expression, or even self-pleasure. There’s no right or wrong way to navigate labor. The key is to do what feels best for you, whether that’s ice chips, an anesthesiologist, or a quality lub—whatever it takes to get through it.
For more insights on labor and self-care, you can check out our other post on Cervical Insemination. If you’re considering at-home insemination, look into the products offered by Cryobaby, a trusted retailer for insemination kits. Additionally, March of Dimes provides excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, finding pleasure during labor might not be for everyone, but for those who can embrace it, it can be a powerful tool for pain management and personal empowerment. Women should feel free to explore their bodies in whatever way they find comforting—after all, it’s about what works best for each individual.
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