Sex After Baby
How long is it recommended to avoid penetration and why?
Hey, do we have your attention now? We know this is on some of your minds….so let’s talk sex! According to ACOG (American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists) there is no ‘set’ time after you deliver your baby that it’s considered safe to have sex. Although, some healthcare providers do recommend waiting about 4-6 weeks after delivery. For the first 2 weeks, there does remain a risk for bleeding or infection-regardless of how you gave birth to your baby. If you have had an episiotomy or a tear during delivery, your provider may recommend that you not have penetrating intercourse until you’re healed due to the risk of re-damaging those delicate tissues. What happens if you do have sex after delivery?
What will it feel like-will it hurt?
Listen, you just passed another human being through your vagina. It’s possible there will be little tears in the tissues of your vaginal tract and it may, in fact, be really sensitive for a while. It may not, but there is a chance that sex will hurt for a bit. It’s normal and should pass in time, hopefully by your 6 week check up appointment. if you’ve had an episiotomy or needed stitches, you will need to give your body some time to heal before attempting to have sex. Sometimes, the discomfort that comes with sex after delivery comes from stress or anxiety–crying newborns are really not so conducive to sexy time.
Lubrication-benefits & options
In short, we highly recommend using lubrication. There are many types and brands-some are synthetic, like KY Jelly, and some are more natural like Coconu and Foria. There are newer hyaluronic acid based lubricants that moisturize the tissues like Revaree and Bionourish….we recommend you start with more natural products first before using something with other chemical compounds, or artificial fragrance or flavor, just to try and minimize the risk of irritation. All of the hormone fluctuation after delivery, can spell a recipe for vaginal dryness and pain. Lubricate. You will thank us for the recommendation!
Birth control options
There are many types of birth control options. This is certainly not an article about which birth control is better or more effective. However, if you don’t want to have another baby right away, you should absolutely use protection of some kind so that you don’t. If you’re breastfeeding, the myth is that you will also prevent pregnancy during this time. While this can be true, it’s not fail safe. You will need to be breastfeeding around the clock, not have gotten your period back yet and can only rely on this for the first 6 months of your babies life.
There are all of the usual birth control methods that you can check out, as well. This includes things like condoms, the pill, an IUD, the patch, the vaginal ring, etc. All of these and the pros/cons of each should be discussed with your doctor. Quite often, you can get a prescription for birth control from your physician before you ever leave the hospital after delivery.
We are sorry to be a drag, telling you when you can or can’t ‘get it on’….but, we want you to be prepared before you do get busy, so that sex after delivery is stress free. We are certainly all for the increased oxytocin between couples!
