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Article Postpartum passion: Sex after childbirth

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You’ve just had a baby and your partner is looking at you with that glint in his eye. All you can think is… Really? You have to be joking! You try pushing out a watermelon buddy and see how you like it!

Or maybe your thinking…Yeehaa! Bring it on. But hang on, is it ok to get back into action yet?

(For those who think the second scenario is unimaginable, I want you to know both are common reactions).

 

So, when can you start having sex after childbirth?

Whether it was a natural delivery or C-Section, your body needs time to heal. It is recommended to wait between 4-6 weeks before having sex after delivery however, some people feel ready only after a few weeks.

But this is sex; lovemaking comes in many forms so you both need to think outside the box and get creative. Resume your intimacy when you and you alone are ready.

Am I going to be in pain?

Yes it may hurt but there are ways of avoiding discomfort.

Firstly, your hormones are changing after childbirth. This is definitely if you decide to breastfeed. Your vagina can feel both dry and sore.

If this is the case take it slow and concentrate on foreplay; massage, lots of kissing and external play whether manually or with a massager. A high-grade lubricant at this time is also recommended.

When your ready to step it up to actual lovemaking, make sure you use a lubricant and experiment on different positions till you find one that is more comfortable.

How will my body change after childbirth?

With natural delivery, your body has gone through physical strain causing a great reduction in muscle tone and tightness in your vagina. This is only temporary and breastfeeding has been known to help bring your uterus and vagina back into shape.

However, it will not go back to its original shape without exercising your kegels prior and during pregnancy.

Toning your pelvic floor muscles prior to pregnancy and childbirth results in a faster recovery from the physiological effects of labour.

The slackness of these muscles after childbirth can reduce the amount of inter-vaginal friction you normally have therefore reducing the pleasurable sensation of lovemaking.

If your not sure what your kegels muscles are, next time you go to the bathroom, try and stop half way through urinating for 5 seconds. That’s your pelvic floor muscle. Now doing the stop start stop start is one way to exercise these muscles.

You can graduate yourself to Lelo Luna Bead kegel exercisers to do this job much easier and faster for you.

Maintaining these muscles right through motherhood and beyond is vital ladies.

The most important information I can give you is when you’re ready to get back into the swing of things you will know and no-one can tell you otherwise!

How soon did you get back into the action after childbirth?

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Comments

  • An interesting read, thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  • It took us quite a while to get back into it. I had stitches after each birth which made recovery even longer. But we got there

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  • After baby number 2 it was 6months. I found I was in pain and after a visit to the Docs I had to go into hospital to have scar tissue removed and then I had to remover from that surgery. I was scared when i had baby number 3 that it was going to be the same story…thankfully it wasnt.

    Reply

  • Good advice! This is interesting! Thank you for sharing this!

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  • This is great advice for intimacy after babies. I would say you don’t have to have sex to be intimate either. Massage, cuddles, kissing, foreplay can all be really satisfying if you’re not ready to have sex right away.

    • yeah there are other ways to express love

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  • yeah take it slow and be kind to yourself

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  • thanks for sharing your advice

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  • thanks for sharing this article.

    Reply

  • I couldn’t.wait to get back into it after I had my babies lol

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  • after three children we don’t usually wait long although everyone is different

    Reply

  • I myself find those kegal balls very pleasurable as well as an exercise haha

    Reply

  • Thanks for this article; have shared with friends.

    Reply

  • Thanks for sharing this article.

    Reply

  • passion. love and understanding

    Reply

  • After what I’ve heard on several forums, i must admit that I’m ashamed to say i lasted 1 week. I know that you’re supposed to wait and that most women do so for far longer than the advised 6 weeks, but after my second child we got back to business pretty quick. Let it be known that while its not recommended, my body felt healed and completely comfortable (i would never have done so if it didn’t) While I don’t condone ignoring medical professionals, you are the best judge of your body, if that means do it or dont… lots of love to all new mamas xo

    • You are so right. We are all the best judge of our own body & if you felt healed after a week, then fantastic.

      • I totally agree. Listen to your body ladies!

    Reply

  • Every woman should be doing pelvic floor exercises but stop, starting, stop, starting during urination is differently NOT recommended as a way of doing your pelvic floor/kegels.
    Once or twice to get familiar with them OK but NOT long term.

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  • We waited I think about 4 months

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  • My midwives put a catery onside me goes wrong, my lady part sore for 4 months!!!

    Reply

  • I still doNt have the energy just so tired all the time

    Reply

  • Great informative article – thank you

    Reply
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