It is important to remember that your health and safety are worth whatever feelings of fear and awkwardness a conversation might bring up. Try not to wait until you are in bed to bring up safer sex. You can start small. Mention a magazine story on STDs, or some amusing story about condoms. Over time we can develop a sexual vocabulary that we are comfortable with.
Some people enjoy slang while others prefer a more formal terminology.
Try and remember that we all have out own boundaries, and we need to respect them. When we do talk about safer sex, we need to make sure we are very clear and make sure there is no misunderstanding. Hopefully the person you are with will share your desire to be safe. Some people think they are a hassle, some find them comfortable. Many of these experiences and concerns are valid, and while we need to respect them, we cannot put ourselves at risk by not using them.