Podcast Episode #243
Lube 101 for Mums: What to Use When You’re Pregnant, Breastfeeding or TTC – with Dr Raelia Lew
Looking for answers about lubricants, vaginal health, and what’s safe to use when pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive? This episode has you covered.
I chat with Dr Raelia Lew about everything from types of lubricants to their role in supporting comfort, intimacy, and pelvic health. Dr Raelia Lew is a Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Fertility Specialist, and Director of Women’s Health Melbourne. She holds a PhD in Reproductive Genetics and is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne. She co-founded Ellechemy to elevate female pleasure through medically-formulated, customisable intimate products.
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In this article you'll find tips to:
- Choose the right lubricant for pregnancy, postpartum, and overall vaginal health.
- Identify when to proactively use lubricant to enhance intimacy and comfort.
- Understand the differences between water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based lubricants.
- Safely select pregnancy-friendly lubricants that support vaginal health.
- Manage vaginal dryness effectively during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause.
- Find lubricants suitable while trying to conceive, including sperm-friendly options.
- Address pelvic floor tension and vaginismus using specifically formulated lubricants.
- Maintain a healthy vaginal microbiome and balanced pH.
- Recognise signs that indicate when lubricant or moisturiser may be beneficial.
- Explore advanced lubricant formulations such as estrogen-based creams and cannabinoid-based lubricants to enhance comfort and intimacy.
Navigating pregnancy and postpartum brings numerous physical changes, including vaginal dryness or discomfort during intimacy. Choosing the right lubricant can significantly improve your comfort and enhance intimacy. In this blog post, we’re exploring everything you need to know about pregnancy safe lube, based on expert insights from Dr Raelia Lew, a reproductive endocrinologist and women’s health specialist.
Different Types of Lubricant: Water, Silicone, and Oil-Based
When considering a lubricant, it’s essential to know the difference between the three main types available:
- Water-based lubricants:
Versatile and compatible with condoms and silicone sex toys, water-based lubricants are ideal for everyday use. They’re moisturising, non-staining, and gentle on the skin, making them a great first choice for pregnancy. - Silicone-based lubricants:
Silicone lubricants offer long-lasting, silky-smooth comfort. They’re particularly suitable for severe dryness, anal intimacy, and water-based activities. However, avoid silicone lubes with silicone-based sex toys, as they may degrade the material. - Oil-based lubricants:
These lubricants provide lasting moisture but have significant downsides, including staining fabrics and upsetting the vaginal pH. Oils like coconut oil should be avoided due to their negative impact on vaginal health.
How to Know When to Use a Lubricant
Lubricants aren’t just for discomfort—they enhance intimacy by reducing friction and irritation. Consider using a lubricant if you experience:
- Vaginal dryness or irritation
- Discomfort during intimacy
- Hormonal changes due to pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Pelvic pain or vaginismus
- Menopausal dryness
Dr Raelia Lew stresses that lubricants should be proactively used to improve pleasure and comfort, rather than solely to address existing problems.
Vaginal Health and Lubricants
Maintaining healthy vaginal pH and microbiome balance is crucial. The vagina naturally has an acidic pH, supporting beneficial bacteria (lactobacilli) that prevent infections. A good lubricant should support—not disrupt—this delicate balance. Look for lubricants specifically formulated to maintain vaginal health, avoiding products with antibacterial properties or incorrect pH levels.
Pregnancy Safe Lube
During pregnancy, hormonal changes can cause increased vaginal dryness and sensitivity. A pregnancy safe lube is specifically designed without harmful chemicals or fragrances. Water-based lubricants are usually the safest and most recommended for pregnancy, as they are gentle, non-irritating, and condom-compatible.
Brands like Ellechemy Intimate Wellness, created by Dr Raelia Lew, offer specialised lubricants designed with pregnancy safety and women’s comfort in mind, ensuring both moisturisation and protection of sensitive skin.
Lubricants for Breastfeeding
After birth, estrogen levels drop significantly, especially during breastfeeding, causing vaginal dryness and discomfort. Lubricants containing low-dose topical estrogen can safely relieve dryness, enhance comfort, and support healing postpartum. Typically, you should discuss using estrogen-based lubricants with your healthcare provider around your six-week postpartum check-up.
Lubricants While Trying to Conceive
Not all lubricants are sperm-friendly, making it crucial to choose wisely if you’re trying to conceive. Specially formulated fertility-friendly lubricants, such as Ellechemy’s Protectility, support sperm viability and can improve comfort during intimacy, potentially enhancing your chances of conception.
Lubricants for Vaginismus
Vaginismus involves involuntary tightening of vaginal muscles, causing discomfort or pain during intimacy. Lubricants with relaxing properties, such as cannabinoid-based (CBD) lubricants, can significantly ease pelvic floor tension and improve comfort. Using these lubricants with warm baths and dilator therapy can further help women gradually regain comfort and confidence in intimacy.
Lubricants for Vaginal Health
Regular moisturisation is key to maintaining vaginal skin integrity, particularly if you’ve had treatments like laser hair removal or during perimenopause and menopause. High-quality lubricants double as intimate moisturisers, supporting skin barrier health, reducing irritation, and enhancing overall vaginal wellbeing.
Lubricants for Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness can occur at many stages of life—pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, or menopause. Quality lubricants and moisturisers address dryness effectively, providing immediate relief. Silicone-based lubricants offer long-lasting relief for severe dryness, while water-based lubricants are perfect for regular moisturisation.
Lubricants should never be seen merely as a remedy for a problem but rather as a positive addition to your self-care routine—enhancing intimacy, comfort, and overall vaginal health. Choose your lubricant wisely, considering your life stage, individual needs, and safety requirements.
Enjoy a confident, comfortable journey through pregnancy and motherhood by choosing the right pregnancy safe lube for your needs.
** This podcast has general information only. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health or medical condition.
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