Sex After Birth
Many women wonder how soon they can resume sex after birth. I guess it's going to depend a lot on the birth that you had and it may even depend on if you are breastfeeding.
I had an episiotomy while delivering both my boys so until the stitches had completely dissolved and all was healed I was too afraid to do anything. And to be honest I think the lack of sleep in those first few weeks meant the both of us were too exhausted to even think about it.
It's only natural to feel anxious about having sex again. You may feel afraid of it being painful or wonder whether it will feel different for both you and your partner.
Your partner may also feel anxious about whether or not he will hurt you. Many men find that they have this fear if they were there for the birth, especially if it was a vaginal delivery.
Generally though if you haven't had any tears or stitches, anytime after 2–3 weeks following the birth of your baby may be ok as long as you and your partner feel ready.
You may find that the bleeding slows down or stops at about 3 weeks but if you and your partner are concerned about having sex, you can always wait until after your postnatal check before resuming intercourse. This is usually carried out when your baby is about 6 weeks old.
Many mums find that they need lots of support, cuddles and gentle affection from their partners without the pressure or expectation of sex.
It's great to be able to talk to your partner openly about how you are both feeling and what you need from each other. This will strengthen your bond and may make the break from sex more comfortable for your partner.
From your perspective, the open communication and affection can help make intimacy something special rather than something to be apprehensive of.
Please always remember to consult your health professional to find out information that is relevant to your specific situation.
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