Sex may be the last thing on your mind right after your baby is delivered. Childbirth can be exhausting and have toll on you. Therefore it is important for couples to know that their sex lives  may not be the same for a while after delivery of a baby.
 

 

How soon can I have sex after my baby is born ?

 
Your body needs time to heal whether you had a  c-section  or vaginal delivery. Healthcare providers usually recommend waiting for about 4 to 6 weeks before having intercourse. This is to allow time for postpartum bleeding to stop, cervix to close and any tears to heal.

Hormonal changes after the delivery of your baby  can have an effect on sex after birth. Estrogen level go down  after delivery , therefore decreasing vaginal  lubrication. This can make sex less pleasurable and  more painful.

Some women become more self conscious of their bodies after delivery and therefore are turned off  when it comes to sex.  Weight  gain, stretch marks and scars from a c-section makes some women depressed about their body.

Other factors that may affect sex after birth include  stress, fear of pain and exhaustion . Some women are ready to resume intercourse  within weeks while others may need a couple of months.

Will sex after birth  hurt ?

 
Hormonal changes can cause vaginal dryness and tenderness therefore making sex painful. It is essential to take sex slowly to ease any discomfort.

Start  with kissing , cuddling and a massage. You can also use a lubricant if vagina dryness is a factor. Experiment with different positions to know what is comfortable and what feels good.
 
If intercourse continues to be painful, consult your healthcare provider for treatment options.

Will  sex after birth feel different ?

 
Vaginal delivery can decrease the muscle tone of the vagina. This may reduce pleasure and have an effect on arousal. However this is temporary.

Kegel exercises can help tone the pelvic floor muscles. These include :

• tightening your pelvic muscles as if stopping the  flow of urine
• do this for 5 seconds for about 4 to 5 times in a row
•  you can then move up to contracting the muscles for  10 seconds at a time with 10 seconds in between contractions
• once you are comfortable with this, do at least three sets of 10 Kegel exercises a day

Should I use birth control ?

If you are not planning on getting pregnant, then you should use a reliable form of birth control even if you are breastfeeding. You may consider birth controls  such as condoms or spermicides right after delivery. Birth controls that contain only the hormone progestin are also good to use right after delivery. Birth control that contains both estrogen and progesterone have an increased  risk of blood clots right after delivery, so it is recommended to wait for about 6 weeks after child birth before using them.

What should I do if I have no interest in sex.

 
Discuss your concerns with your partner. There are other ways to maintain intimacy such as spending time alone with your partner, expressing your love in other ways like erotic massage or manual stimulation. Kissing , cuddling in the sofa, hugging and holding hands may also help.

Are there any tips to help boost my sex life after birth ?

• eat healthy
• drink lots of fluids
•  get enough rest
• appreciate the changes in your body
•  ask your partner , family and friends for help