Curiosity and communication are the key to great sex, especially when you or your partner are navigating a newfound bump.

Sex is about enjoying the body, intimacy, and closeness. If you’re worried penetrative sex might hurt the pregnancy (it’s usually safe, but ask your healthcare professional!), there are other ways to give and receive pleasure.

“Sex is much more than penetration,” confirms Holly Richmond, a clinical sex therapist and licensed marriage and family therapist. Intimacy comes in plenty of forms, including kissing, breast pleasure, oral sex, and even anal play.

“Oral and manual [acts done with your hands] sex are wonderful components to a couple’s sex life. Read up on oral sex techniques. Play with some new toys. If anything doesn’t feel right, ask your doctor.”

Think of pregnancy as a time to experiment, especially in the earlier months, to figure out the ideal position between partners. Pretty much anything goes as long as it’s comfortable! Here are some moves that get things started.

This position keeps pressure off the belly, allowing the pregnant partner to stay more comfortable.

“Using pillows, blankets, or towels to add comfort is a great idea,” says Shanna Katz Kattari, a sexologist and instructor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work.

Controlling the depth of penetration is also important, Richmond points out. “Sometimes in that position with the curvature of the back, [the pregnant partner] can feel the penis hitting the cervix,” which may be uncomfortable.

Try during this trimester: First and the beginning of the second. By the end of the second trimester, there’s about an extra two pounds around the belly. You may want to avoid balancing on all fours during your last two months.

Climb aboard! This position is supported by science, too — at least one Taiwanese study found increased sexual satisfaction for pregnant people who control penetration by being on top of their partner.

Adjust for comfort by widening your stance or leaning back to keep belly weight from tilting you forward.

Try during this trimester:First and second trimesters. This position helps with hitting the right spots in the vagina. However, during the third trimester, you may want to avoid deep penetration, especially if you’re sensitive down there and want to avoid irritating the cervix or accidental bleeding.

“Spooning is awesome,” Richmond says. It’s a comforting position where a partner holds and usually penetrates the pregnant person from behind while lying down, both facing away from each other.

But whether there’s penetration or not, always touch the clitoris as that’s where the pleasure center is. In later trimesters, it may be comforting to hold the belly.

Try during this trimester: This position is always good, but it is best during the second and third trimesters, as it can help put less pressure on the belly.

Reverse rider involves you, or the pregnant partner, straddling the other. Be sure to keep up the clitoral stimulation in this position.

Richmond says it’s a good option in the first and second trimesters. However, it can be challenging later on when your belly becomes a challenge.

If this position is one of your favorites, you may be able to adjust the weight by leaning back and positioning your arms behind you for support.

Try during this trimester: This position is great anytime, but during the second and third trimesters, you’ll love it as it can keep your stomach from being compressed or touched, if you’re sensitive there.

If you’re less than 20 weeks pregnant, standing with a partner holding you around the waist may work.

“After 20 weeks, the abdominal distention could cause more balance problems and difficulty with position,” she says, which poses a risk of falling. The pregnant partner might place palms against a wall and lean in for stability, but seek solid ground.

“I don’t recommend standing on anything for security and stability purposes,” she says. “No yoga blocks, no chairs, no ladders.”

Try during this trimester: Experiment with this during the first and second trimesters, but as your belly grows, you may find it more difficult to hold this position.

“A pregnant person might enjoy sex in the bathtub, where they can float while giving or receiving pleasure,” Katz Kattari says. Buoyancy helps a belly defy gravity — a nice option when you’re 8 months along.

Depending on the size of your tub, you may not be able to float completely, so your partner can help with the experience. Have them lie under you for support and let their hands stimulate your sensitive areas for pleasure. If using toys, be sure to use water-safe lube.

Try during this trimester: This works for all trimesters. However, during the third trimester, when you’re more sensitive and your libido is low, this can be a comforting position where orgasm isn’t the end game. It can simply be about caring for each other in a sensual way.

Partners of all types can enjoy seated sex, where the pregnant person sits on a chair or on the edge of the bed, positioning themselves above their partner. You can also prop yourself up with pillows or lie on your back if it’s comfortable.

“The partner can then have easy access for fingers, toys, and mouths,” Katz Kattari says. “Either by kneeling in front of [the] pregnant person, or pulling up a chair next to them and going to town.”

Try during this trimester: All trimesters! This position is great for letting the body and belly rest.

Yes, giving or getting oral sex is fine, says Aleece Fosnight, a certified sex counselor and sex educator.

It doesn’t matter if you swallow if you’re giving oral sex to a partner with a penis — it won’t affect the pregnancy. Just be aware that during the first trimester, you may have a heightened gag reflex due to morning sickness.

Try during this trimester: Good for all trimesters, even when you’re not pregnant. While clitoral stimulation is one of the more reliable paths to orgasm, not all sex needs to end in an orgasm.

Yes, anal sex is safe during pregnancy, but it’s best to try this early on — ideally before pregnancy — to gauge your comfort levels.

As far as positions go, doggy style, or entering from behind, is best for anal sex during pregnancy. You can also do this while spooning, too. Just remember to use lots of lube and go slow.

Try during this trimester: This position works for all trimesters. However, you’ll want to be extremely careful. Don’t move fingers, toys, tongue, or penis from butt to vagina. Doing so can spread bacteria to the vagina, which could complicate pregnancy.

It’s similar to spooning, except you’re facing each other.

“For any pregnant person, positions on their side will feel better, and they can prop up their bellies with extra pillows or a rolled-up towel,” Katz Kattari says. “These side positions can be used for penetrative sex with hands and toys, as well as for both giving and receiving oral sex.”

Meaning you can turn around and try 69 if that’s something you like.

Try during this trimester: It’s good for all, but best for the third trimester as it allows the pregnant partner to rest without putting pressure on the stomach — or on each other!

If you’re not feeling too hot or up for partner play, there’s also a magical wand you can wave — the one with batteries.

“Top toys always include the Magic Wand and the Wevibe,” says Rosara Torrisi, a sex therapist and founder of the Long Island Institute of Sex Therapy.

“All toys, so long as the materials are body safe and high quality and cleaned appropriately, are safe during pregnancy unless otherwise directed by a trusted medical professional who knows you and your pregnancy.”

So yes — vibrators, dildos, insertables, balls, G-spot stimulators, strap-ons, and anything else you’ve got in your joybox is fine, as long as you keep the equipment clean.

If you’re buying new props, aim to get one made from higher-grade materials such as glass, silicone, or body-safe latex.

Due to clitoral sensitivity, you may wish to play with intensity and speed. Some people find the Magic Wand and other high-powered vibrators too intense, Richmond says.

“By the end of pregnancy, you probably won’t be able to see your feet, so finding your vulva [can be] really challenging,” says Richmond. “Using a mirror to see what’s going on is always a great idea, but right now, during pregnancy sex, you’ll get an even better view of what’s happening.”

Many people use pillows for support, but may find rigid foam wedges difficult to manage along with a semi-rigid stomach. A Boppy (yes, the nursing pillow) can be used for bumptastic sex — the hole in the center helps make your belly more comfortable, says Fosnight.

“Everything is on the table unless your doctor says it isn’t, or if it hurts or feels uncomfortable,” adds Richmond. That means if one of the positions above isn’t as comfy as advertised, just skip it. There are nine more to try!