According To- Intimacy and Sex After a Vaginal Delivery , When you’ve just given birth, sex with your partner may seem the farthest thing from your mind, since your body has just undergone extraordinary changes, and you need time to heal.
After giving birth, many couples have questions about intimacy and intercourse, such as when it is safe to have sex again and what to expect.
Although women who give birth vaginally tend to heal faster than those who have a C-section, recovery from a vaginal birth can vary.
OBGYN and sexual medicine specialist Debra Wickman, MD, of Banner – University Medicine, answers common questions about postpartum sex after vaginal delivery.
When can you have sex after a vaginal birth?
Generally, health care providers recommend you hold off a bit for your body to recover before resuming your sex life.
It usually takes about four to six weeks postpartum for a woman to fully recover from a vaginal birth. It is also important to wait until the postpartum vaginal bleeding stops to avoid infection.”
“If you have lacerations, tears, or an episiotomy, this trauma needs time to heal.” Dr. Wickman said. “If there is no pain or tenderness, sex can happen sooner. Just stop if it hurts and wait.”
To ease discomfort during recovery from an episiotomy, you should cool the area with ice packs or place a chilled witch hazel pad between your vaginal opening and the anus (perineum). Stitches can sometimes cause pain and itching, which can be relieved by taking a sitz bath with warm water a few times a day.
After vaginal delivery, will sex hurt?
“It will be uncomfortable the first couple of times, but with time, it will get better,” Dr. Wickman said. “Go slow and use lubricant.”
It is painful to have penetrative sex with your partner when your hormones fluctuate. Breastfeeding or pumping can also result in thin and dry vaginal tissue. Use a water-soluble lubricant during sex to reduce friction. Your doctor may sometimes prescribe medication.
Contact your provider if things don’t seem to be improving, if you notice unusual changes like vaginal tightness, or if you feel like you’re “hitting a wall.”
The pelvic floor (the muscles around your vagina and that support your bladder) can be activated by painful penetration, causing further pain, according to Dr. Wickman.
You can use Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which are crucial to sexual arousal and orgasm.
At the moment, I don’t have any sex drive. Will I ever want to have sex again? Read Also-Pregnancy Acid Reflux Tips to Cure the Burn
According to Dr. Wickman, “low sexual desire after delivery is very common.”.
As a result of weight gain or physical changes, you might experience hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, pain or a poor body image. In addition to postpartum “baby blues” or postpartum depression, some people also experience mood swings and irritability after giving birth.
In the postpartum period, non-birthing partners may also struggle with emotions and finding their place within the family.
“For both parents, emotional readiness can take some time,” Dr. Wickman said. “Communication is crucial. Talk about what each of you is feeling and experiencing, and clarify your needs. Having a baby is a milestone in any relationship. To successfully navigate this challenge, it takes attention and commitment, but it builds trust and reliance on each other.”
If you feel physically and emotionally ready to have sex, take it slowly. Communicate with your partner about what feels comfortable and pause if you experience discomfort.
Symptoms of postpartum depression or other problems with resuming sex should be discussed with your health care provider.
If I’m breastfeeding or haven’t gotten my period, do I need contraception?
Ovulation can occur without any symptoms or warning, even if you are breastfeeding. If sperm is present, another pregnancy can happen soon after giving birth.
In Dr. Wickman’s view, breastfeeding alters menstrual cues that determine the ‘fertile window’ of a menstrual cycle. While breastfeeding, you often won’t have a period until weaning, but this does not mean you are not ovulating.
The use of birth control (contraception) during this time allows your body to recover and allows you to control your reproductive cycle.
Waiting at least six months or longer is recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
More information can be found in “How Long Should I Wait to Get Pregnant Again?”.
The takeaway
The body needs time to heal after giving birth, whether by vaginal delivery or C-section. Be patient with each other and return to sex at a comfortable pace.
“This is the time for you to bond with your baby and to recover,” Dr. Wickman advised. “Don’t let unrealistic expectations put you in a bind.”
Are you experiencing painful sex or postpartum depression or baby blues? Recommended-Under-eye skincare 101: everything you need to know About