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• Uniquely Female

Let’s Talk About Sex – After Baby

After having a baby, lots of things about life change. Your sleep schedule – or lack thereof. Your responsibilities. Your free time. And, oftentimes, your overall priorities.

Adjusting isn’t easy, but day by day, you learn and build your new routine and settle into the changes a baby has brought to your family. 

One post-baby change that is sometimes avoided in conversations is your sex life, especially shortly after giving birth.

Most health care providers suggest waiting six to eight weeks before putting anything into your vagina following a vaginal birth. In addition to fully exposing your uterus and cervix during birth, you may have experienced lacerations or tears. It’s important to give your body time to heal before jumping back into sexual intercourse.

Regardless of whether you had a vaginal or cesarean birth, your provider will advise you as to when it’s safe to have intercourse and use tampons or douche. 

Find What Works For You

Along with giving your body time to heal, it’s important to find ways to ease yourself back into intimacy with your partner. 

Sometimes the feelings of pressure from breastfeeding, losing sleep, and caring for your new baby can seem overwhelming, and it can be difficult to juggle your roles as a mom and a wife.

Finding a happy medium and maybe even new forms of intimacy that aren’t focused only on sexual intercourse can be the key to feeling happy long-term. If you’re concerned that intercourse will hurt, be honest with your partner. Remember, there’s more to intimacy than sex, so there’s no need to rush intercourse. Going on dates or simply making time for each other can keep your relationship with your partner strong.

As a new mom, if you take care of yourself you’ll be better equipped to care for everyone else. When you’re ready to have sexual intercourse and you’ve waited the amount of time recommended by your provider, take it slow the first couple times. Expect some discomfort, but there shouldn’t be pain. Because breastfeeding can cause some vaginal dryness, using a water-based lubricant may be helpful. If something doesn’t feel right, talk to your health care provider.

Future Pregnancies

Another thing to remember about having sex after having a baby is that there is no specific amount of time your body needs to be ready to get pregnant again. There’s no rule regulating when you’ll start ovulating again. 

For some, ovulation begins after just a few weeks. If you’re breastfeeding, it could be several months before you ovulate. It’s possible to ovulate without realizing it, which means you could get pregnant unintentionally. To avoid this, until you are ready to get pregnant again, use some type of birth control. 

Generally, it’s recommended that you wait at least 12 months between pregnancies to make sure your body has enough time to heal and be ready for a healthy pregnancy the next time around.

Source: Center for Women’s Health and Wellness