Is the Butterfly position safe during pregnancy?

The Butterfly position may not be ideal during pregnancy due to moderate. Consult your healthcare provider for safe alternatives.

What difficulty level is the Butterfly position?

The Butterfly is a medium difficulty position. It requires medium flexibility and causes moderate joint stress.

#9 Sensual Medium

Butterfly

Lift the legs for deep penetration and eye contact.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. James Chen, Board-Certified OB/GYN

Penetration: Deep

Stimulation: G-spot

About This Position

The receiving partner lies on their back with legs raised and resting on the penetrating partner's shoulders. This position allows for very deep penetration while maintaining face-to-face intimacy and excellent G-spot stimulation.

Best For

Deep penetrationG-spot stimulationEye contact

Clitoral Stimulation

Limited direct clitoral stimulation from the position itself, but the angle brings the pubic bone close.

Hands can be used easily for clitoral stimulation during penetration.

G-Spot Stimulation

Excellent G-spot stimulation from the tilted angle. The legs-up position directs pressure along the anterior wall.

The angle is specifically designed for G-spot targeting; adjust depth for the right spot.

Anatomy & Physiology

Muscle Groups Involved

Hamstrings
Hip flexors
Core
Lower back

Angle of Penetration

Upward angle, very deep penetration along the anterior wall

Targeted Pleasure Zones

G-spotAnterior fornix (A-spot)Deep spotCervix (if desired)

Body Contact Points

Legs on shouldersChest to thighsHands holding legs or hipsFace to face

Step-by-Step Guide

The receiving partner lies on their back on a comfortable surface. Lift your legs and rest them on the penetrating partner's shoulders — the hamstrings and hip flexors are engaged to hold this position.

Tip: The legs-up position tilts the pelvis, creating an upward angle that targets the anterior wall (G-spot rated 5/5).

The penetrating partner kneels or stands between the receiving partner's legs, holding the legs for stability. The chest-to-thighs contact point creates the butterfly shape.

Tip: The penetrating partner's hands holding the receiving partner's legs create the body contact points that define this position.

Slowly enter while maintaining eye contact. The upward angle along the anterior wall means even moderate depth creates intense G-spot stimulation.

Tip: Start with shallow thrusts — the angle naturally targets sensitive areas that can be overwhelming if stimulated too quickly.

Start with gentle thrusts and increase depth gradually. The penetrating partner's core and hip flexors control the movement.

Tip: The receiving partner can adjust leg position — wider legs create a different angle; pressing legs together increases friction.

The receiving partner can hold their own legs for support if the shoulders become uncomfortable, or place legs against the headboard.

Tip: Medium flexibility is required — the hamstrings need to be flexible enough to hold the legs elevated.

Hold eye contact and kiss for maximum intimacy. Despite the deep penetration angle, the face-to-face orientation maintains emotional connection.

Tip: The penetrating partner can use hands to caress the receiving partner's inner thighs and clitoris (rated 2/5 without manual help).

Communicate about depth — this position allows very deep penetration that can reach the A-spot and posterior fornix. Check in before going deeper.

Tip: A pillow under the receiving partner's hips can further optimize the angle for targeted stimulation.

Safety & Precautions

Warnings

! Requires flexibility from the receiving partner to hold legs up.
! Very deep penetration can be intense — communicate about comfort.

Modifications

* The receiving partner can hold their own legs for support if shoulders are uncomfortable.
* Use a pillow under the receiving partner's hips for a better angle.

Flexibility: Medium Joint Stress: Moderate

Not recommended during pregnancy — legs elevated on shoulders creates too much pressure.

Medical References & Sources

The information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy by certified health professionals. The following peer-reviewed and authoritative sources were used in developing this guide:

Health Disclaimer: Always consult a healthcare professional before trying new positions, especially if you have back pain, joint issues, are pregnant, or have any medical condition. Stop immediately if you experience pain.

Pros

+ Very deep penetration
+ Excellent G-spot stimulation
+ Maintains face-to-face intimacy

Cons

- Requires flexibility from the receiving partner
- Can be too intense for some

Tips

* Start slowly to adjust to the depth
* The receiving partner can adjust leg position for comfort

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the right technique, small errors can reduce pleasure or increase injury risk. Here are the most common mistakes couples make with the Butterfly position:

Going too deep immediately

The legs-up angle creates a direct path to deep spots and the cervix. Starting with full depth can be painful. Always start shallow and let the receiving partner guide the depth progression.

Neglecting leg comfort

Holding legs up on shoulders requires hamstring flexibility. If the receiving partner's legs tire, they should hold their own legs or rest them against a headboard rather than forcing the position.

Ignoring the G-spot angle

This position rates 5/5 for G-spot stimulation specifically because of the upward angle. Not adjusting depth and angle to target the anterior wall wastes the position's main advantage.

Losing face-to-face connection

Unlike doggy-style, this position maintains face-to-face contact. Couples who look away or disengage miss the intimacy that differentiates this from other deep-penetration positions.