Sex After Pregnancy:
Sex After Pregnancy – Here’s the 411 By Dr. Angela.
We received a number of emails from new moms wanting to know when it is okay to start having sex again after Pregnancy and childbirth. Dr. Angela graciously shares her professional tips on this topic.
Sex After Pregnancy….Here’s the 411:
Six weeks post delivery, vaginal or c-section, is when a woman typically follows up with her obgyn for her routine, postpartum check. This visit is to ensure that mom is doing well, and has healed appropriately. As long as there are no signs of infection, or vaginal sutures that haven’t completely dissolved, most are cleared to resume sexual activity. Even patients that are status post a c-section can be cleared for sex at this point. Things to consider would be, has the incision completely healed? If you are someone that labored and then ended up with a c-section, has the cervix healed/closed?
Girl on top, girl on the side, girl on all fours…all of these are safe modes of intercourse as long as you have been physically cleared by your obgyn.
You may want to consider using a heavy lubricant for several reasons. One, the hormones of pregnancy may yet still be in flux. Two, breastfeeding tends to lead to a low estrogen state. Both translate into DRY VAGINA, and hence, painful sex.
Patience is a MUST, as your body is certainly different post delivery. Some women feel embarrassed, or ashamed of their post delivery bodies due to weight gain, leaky boobs, c-section scars, etc. Remember, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Pregnancy is beautiful. Your body was and still is AMAZING! Going with the flow and having an open mind will carry you and your partner far as you both delve into the adventures of sex post baby.
For those of you who can’t seem to wait 6 weeks and are wondering if things like masturbation are safe before you hit that magical mark, I encourage you to keep in mind that tears, lacerations, etc., can occur almost anywhere; i.e., the cervix, the perineum, the labia, the urethra, in, near, or around the clitoral hood. The reason to mention these things is that if there was an insult to the aforementioned areas, you want to give them an adequate amount of time to heal; hence decreasing the risk of wound disruption, as well as infection.
If none of the aforementioned applies to you and you had no lacerations or tears “down below,” you might entertain external masturbation, i.e., clitoral stimulation. I would, however, avoid putting anything into your vagina; hands, fingers, toys, etc., until you’ve been cleared by your friendly obgyn. Safety first. The idea here is to decrease the risk of infection. You want the cervix, vagina, etc., to have adequate healing time.
Hoping today’s blog has been informative. Don’t forget the lube and perhaps a glass(or two) of wine!
Until next time,
Look Better. Feel Better. Be Better.
Dr. Angela
ALSO SEE: HOW TO FIX YOUR POST-BABY BELLY FLAP
About Dr. Angela : Wife, mother, Midwesterner, and award-winning OB/GYN, Dr. Angela is equal parts best girlfriend and bold professional, supporting women’s health with innovative approaches to care and heavy doses of humor. Dr. Angela has done more than launch a successful practice, she has defined herself as a voice for a new generation of womanhood, established her ASK DR. ANGELA brand committed to authenticity, and built a community rooted in trust, candor, and compassion. Find more of Dr. Angela on her website and on her Instagram account.
Join us over at the PB Moms Exclusive Circle, where we invite healthcare experts to prepare us for life after childbirth and motherhood. Go to: pregnancybeyond.com/exclusive-circle.
Follow PregnancyBeyond on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
FIRST TIME MOM GUEST POST LABOR AND DELIVERY MOTHERHOOD NEW DAD NEW MOM PREGNANCY
