Pregnancy is a time of enormous transformation — physically, emotionally, and relationally. For those who practise shibari, this can raise a lot of questions:
Is it safe to do rope while pregnant? What needs to change? Can we still feel connected through tying?
The short answer is: yes, it’s possible — but it does require adjustments, extra care, and a lot of communication.
In this guide, we’ll walk through 9 key considerations to help you navigate rope during pregnancy with safety, sensitivity, and connection.
1. Start with Consent, Communication, and Medical Guidance
As always in rope — but especially during pregnancy — ongoing, informed consent is non-negotiable.
Pregnancy can be unpredictable. Physical comfort levels, energy, and emotional needs can shift day by day. Having open conversations about what feels good, what doesn’t, and how someone’s body is changing can prevent missteps and deepen trust.
- Always check in before and after a scene. Even a quick “How’s your body feeling today?” can open up useful dialogue.
- Consider a healthcare provider’s input. A midwife, GP, or obstetrician may offer insights about posture, blood pressure, or joint issues that could affect scene planning.
Consent isn’t a one-off question — it’s an ongoing, evolving conversation.
2. Honour That Every Body and Pregnancy Is Different
There is no single roadmap for pregnancy. Some people feel energised and empowered throughout. Others may deal with fatigue, nausea, anxiety, or discomfort. Hormones, trauma history, previous pregnancies, and current health status all shape the experience.
Many also experience a sense of reduced bodily autonomy during this time. Frequent medical appointments, advice from others (helpful or not), and physical changes can leave someone feeling like their body is no longer fully “theirs.”
Rope can either restore a sense of ownership — or amplify feelings of disconnection. The difference lies in how present, attuned, and adaptable the rigger is.
- Ask, don’t assume. What someone could do or wanted last month might be off-limits today.
- Be willing to stop, change course, or remove rope entirely if things feel off.
If rope plays a significant role in your intimacy or relationship, you might feel a strong desire to continue using it throughout pregnancy. That desire is valid — but so is not wanting rope at all. Shifts in energy, body image, or emotional bandwidth are all normal. There’s no obligation to maintain your rope practice in the same way. Embrace this phase, and know that it’s absolutely okay to pause the ropes — temporarily or longer-term.
3. Understand How Hormones Affect the Body
Two major hormones rise significantly during pregnancy: progesterone and relaxin. Both play key roles in maintaining a healthy pregnancy, but they also affect how the body handles physical stress.
- Progesterone relaxes smooth muscles (like those in blood vessels), which can cause low blood pressure, dizziness, and slowed digestion. This contributes to reflux and light-headedness.
- Relaxin helps loosen ligaments, preparing the body for childbirth. But it doesn’t only affect the pelvis — it makes all joints more mobile, which can lead to overextension or injury if not supported.
Rope implications:
- Avoid tight ties around joints, especially shoulders, wrists, knees, and ankles.
- Don’t assume that greater flexibility means greater safety.
- Provide extra support and cushion joints during scenes.
4. Be Aware of Increased Blood Volume and Circulation Issues
During pregnancy, blood volume increases by 30–50% to support the growing uterus, placenta, and foetus, and to prepare for blood loss during labour.
This extra volume affects the whole body:
- The heart works harder, and veins (especially in the legs and pelvis) become more prone to swelling and pressure.
- Early in pregnancy, progesterone causes blood vessels to dilate, leading to lower blood pressure. This can result in dizziness, especially when standing quickly or changing position.
Later in pregnancy, lying flat can compress the inferior vena cava, the vein that returns blood to the heart from the lower body. This may trigger supine hypotensive syndrome: dizziness, shortness of breath, or even fainting.
Rope implications:
- Use left-side-lying or semi-reclined positions to avoid vena cava compression.
- Be cautious with leg or chest compression, which may worsen circulation issues. Maybe loosen those tensions a bit.
- Avoid prolonged upright or standing positions.
- Always have water nearby and take frequent breaks.
5. Protect the Belly: Diastasis Recti and Abdominal Pressure
As the uterus expands, it pushes outward against the abdominal wall. This can lead to diastasis recti — a separation of the left and right abdominal muscles. It’s a natural process, but added strain can worsen it or delay postpartum healing.
Compression or tight rope over the belly is never advisable. Even if it looks decorative, the pressure can:
- Interfere with organs
- Increase the risk of hernias
- Cause pain or exacerbate muscle separation
Rope implications:
- Avoid belly ties entirely.
- Focus on limbs, decorative leg wraps, or upper chest (with caution).
6. Nausea, Reflux and Gastrointestinal Sensitivity Matter
Hormonal changes in pregnancy relax the lower oesophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to rise more easily — especially when lying down or after eating.
At the same time, the growing uterus presses up against the stomach and intestines, making digestion slower and reflux more likely.
Many pregnant people experience issues with the gastrointestinal (GI) system, such as:
- Nausea, especially in the first trimester
- Heartburn and acid reflux, often later in pregnancy
- Constipation, due to slowed gut motility and iron supplements
Rope implications:
- Avoid ties that compress the torso or involve forward folding.
- Plan scenes away from meals or snacks.
- Keep a water bottle or sick bag within reach, just in case.
- Consider seated or side-lying positions that reduce stomach pressure.
7. Adapt to Postural and Balance Changes
As the baby grows, a person’s centre of gravity shifts forward, pulling the lower back into more curvature (lordosis). Combine this with weaker abdominal muscles and joint laxity, and the result is often back pain, poor balance, and reduced stamina.
Rope implications:
- Use bolsters, cushions, and soft props to support the back and hips.
- Shorten scene length to avoid fatigue.
- Be ready to reposition frequently.
8. Prioritise Emotional Safety and Aftercare
Pregnancy isn’t just physical. Hormonal shifts and identity changes can bring up a wide range of emotions: joy, grief, vulnerability, fear, or elation — sometimes all at once.
Scenes that involve exposure, power exchange, or restriction may trigger unexpected emotional responses. This isn’t a problem — it just requires sensitivity.
Rope implications:
- Build in time to emotionally debrief.
- Ask open-ended questions like “How did that feel?”
- Make aftercare robust: warm blankets, water, snacks, touch, or quiet.
- Be willing to slow down or change the tone of the scene mid-way.
9. Prepare for Emergencies and Prioritise Comfort
Pregnancy increases the need for responsiveness and readiness in scenes.
Always:
- Have safety shears within reach.
- Keep scenes shorter and exit points clear.
- Provide plenty of support with cushions, rolled towels, or foam blocks.
- Have water, a snack, and a place to rest available post-scene.
Final Thoughts
Rope during pregnancy can be a beautiful way to maintain intimacy, presence, and connection — but it should always be rooted in compassion, flexibility, and respect for change.
If rope plays a large part in your relationship or sense of self, it’s understandable to feel a strong desire to continue practising it during pregnancy. That desire is completely valid. But if the interest fades, or the body no longer welcomes rope in the same way — that’s also entirely normal. You don’t need to force continuity. Let this be a time to embrace different forms of intimacy if needed, and know that it’s okay to pause, adapt, or return to rope when and if it feels right again.
Pregnancy can also shift identity and bring a sense of lost agency — the body may feel like it’s being monitored or managed by others. Shibari can offer a way to reclaim a sense of ownership and embodiment. But it should never override the signals of discomfort or disconnection.
Please remember: this guide is not medical advice. Every body and pregnancy is different. Always consult a medical professional — such as a GP, midwife, or obstetrician — before engaging in any form of bondage or physical play during pregnancy.
There’s no perfect way to do this. Just listen, stay present, and let the pregnant person lead.