Expert: Tom Schott - 7/7/2008

Question
What is the church's teaching on masturbation with a spouse when intercourse is not possible?  My wife just had our first child and cannot have intercourse for a few more weeks.  However, she asks me to masturbate with her.  It seems to be a unitive act and not procreative.  Since intercourse is out of the question for a few more weeks, we cannot procreate anyways.

Answer
Adam,

I would not trouble myself about this. If intercourse is not possible, then neither is conception, as you point out. In other words, I agree with your logic. Although the Church does teach against masturbation, it admits that there are several sets of circumstances that mitigate. Your situation would certainly qualify.