How Long After Giving Birth Can you Have Sex?

There is no definitive timeline that can be set for having intercourse soon after pregnancy. It depends upon the emotional and physical condition of the person, which makes her ready for the intercourse, everyone is unique in itself and everyone heals differently.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

It's highly recommended to consult your doctor or practitioner before having sex, usually, the doctor recommends an interval of 4 to 6 weeks after childbirth in case there is vaginal delivery. But in case if it was a cesarean delivery it may take more than 6 to 8 weeks. Even after the doctor gives his consent to resume sexual activities, the physical indulgence show proceeds slowly.

Soon after the pregnancy, the vagina undergoes a healing phase from being stretched out and possibly from an episiotomy (An episiotomy is a surgical cut to widen or broaden the vaginal canal) or perineal tear. Women can also experience vaginal bleeding after childbirth, which can last for a few weeks. It's best to wait until your bleeding stops.

Having intercourse too early especially in the first 15 days after childbirth can increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage or uterine infection. It is important to keep the vagina clean to prevent infection.

When to have sex again after a C-section?

The recovery after cesarean section is not going to be natural and easy. The person will have to rest and give time to heal the wound on the stomach. It will be a slow start, with the patient doing an only gentle activity that doesn't exert any pressure on the stomach. Any activity involving too much movement of muscle will increase the chances of blood clotting. 

After a period of 6 to 8 weeks, the patient should feel confident enough to indulge herself in physical activity, but it is important to note that she should not rush for it, should proceed with it smoothly and gently. Any activity like driving, jogging, carrying anything heavy, or doing heavy housework should be avoided because it's only going to increase the time of recovery.

What will sex feel like after postpartum?

There can be a multitude of experiences that can be felt by different women, every woman is different so do their experiences ranging from an increase in pain during sex to a feeling of dryness in the Vagina. This happens especially when the woman is breastfeeding, (nursing suppresses estrogen, which causes the vagina to become dry and constricted). The lower level of estrogen leads to thinning of vaginal tissue which also adds more pain to the sensitive organ.

Women also experience their vaginal muscles are likely stretched out, but that is temporary. To reduce pain and dryness women are advised to take a warm bath, empty the bladder, and use lubricants.

Cover photo by Pexels