After going through labour, the mere prospect of having sex can be taxing, which is why health professionals frequently advise waiting until four to six weeks after giving birth before engaging in penetrative sex.
That shouldn’t come as a surprise considering all the factors working against new parents, including the baby blues or postpartum depression, raging hormones, strange physical changes, and, of course, the largest libido-eroding factor of them all: the sheer weariness of caring for a newborn. After holding a baby for the majority of the day, you could also feel “touched out.”
Although getting it on right now might be the last thing on your mind, it won’t always be the case. Before jumping into bed, it’s crucial to understand that intimacy can take many different forms and that postpartum sex requires time and effort. You can use following realities to rekindle the passion and chemistry that initially led to the birth of your child.
It’s up to you how soon you have sex after giving birth
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So how long can you have sex after birth? To promote recovery and lower the chance of problems, the majority of doctors advise against putting anything in the vagina for four to six weeks, including toys, fingers, and penises. It’s crucial to remember that the recommendation is only a minimum and not a requirement. That is to say, although if it is recommended that you wait at least four weeks after giving birth to have intercourse, you are not required to do so unless you really want to.
Beyond physical recovery, when you have sex after having birth is a personal decision. It’s acceptable if you or your spouse need extra time to feel prepared. In that regard, you are in charge of when you have sex. After having birth, the ideal moment to have sex is when both you and your spouse are prepared physically, intellectually, and emotionally.
Postpartum Penis-in-Vagina Sex May Not Initially Feel Pleasant
Penis-in-vagina sex after giving birth may not initially feel as satisfying as it did before. This is completely normal. It’s also crucial to realise that this is applicable to both vaginal and C-section deliveries because it goes beyond simple tissue damage.
The discomfort is presumed to be caused by the trauma of delivery, which it may be, but it may also be due to low oestrogen levels that impair the suppleness of the vaginal tissues. After giving delivery, oestrogen levels fall and stay low throughout breastfeeding. For the first two to three months after giving birth, the decline in oestrogen caused by high prolactin and oxytocin levels while nursing can simulate menopause.
Even six weeks after delivery, parents who had C-sections can still have uncomfortable vaginal sex. The length of time it takes to heal from an episiotomy or other laceration will depend on how severe it was and where the cutting was done.
This Is Not You
Let us allay your anxieties if you’re scared that you’re to blame for your lack of libido for sex after birth. Real reasons that can affect your sex drive include extreme sleep deprivation, a shifting dynamic between you and your partner, difficulties with eating, and physical changes. Additionally, even Mother Nature is working against you if you are breastfeeding.
Oxytocin, a hormone that makes you feel good about the baby but also lowers your libido, is released when you nurse. Keeping your sex drive low is your body’s strategy for avoiding an early pregnancy, according to anthropology. Finding out why they aren’t as into sex always makes patients feel better.
The Changes in Your Body
After giving birth, your body may very well alter, and those changes may have an impact on sex, depending on your age and how many children you’ve had. After childbirth or delivery, vaginal elasticity typically returns, however your body’s structure may be affected. The hormones of pregnancy lead the pelvic rim to enlarge, which means that even someone who had a C-section can be impacted.
This is also the reason why a person who loses their pregnancy weight quickly could still take a while to go back into their old trousers. Try Pilates if you want to feel stronger: The pelvic floor becomes more taut because to all that attention on the core.
Physical intimacy remains significant
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Although there is no set schedule for returning to sex after giving birth, it is crucial to do so in ways that are meaningful to both of you.
Couples begin to feel like roommates if there is no physical intimacy or very little of it, which is rarely a good thing. Resentment might result from a sense of alienation. When you’re ready, progress to postpartum sex by first giving each other a love kiss or gentle touch.
Physical touch can serve as a reminder that you are on the same team and are more than simply parents because you won’t have as much time to linger over dinner or go on elaborate dates. Additionally, it improves everyone’s mood, let’s face it.
Indeed, afternoons can be wonderful
Who said that sexual activity must take place at night? As a mother, by the time you would get into bed at night, you would be too exhausted to read even one page. The new-born’s nap duration is ideal time for connect. It relieved some of the stress from your nights and turned into something.
Sex After Birth Might Be More Beneficial Than You Think
Contrary to popular assumption, many people find that they enjoy sex more now than they did before to becoming parents. One reason is that giving birth opens us to a variety of sensations, making our bodies—in particular, our genitalia—more alive and enhancing our capacity for pleasure.
Our internal organs can also be precisely repositioned during childbirth, increasing their receptivity to stimulation. After having children, many women claim to feel more at ease in their bodies and experience more powerful orgasms.
You’ll desire sex again
You’ll want to have sex again after giving birth, just as you’ll want to sleep again, go out with friends, and even be ready to give birth or welcome a new child. Spend some time healing physically and getting used to your new roles. a mother of two who struggled to resume having regular sex after her first pregnancy. Be open and honest with one another. Keep in mind that sometimes you might not feel like doing something, but you’ll be glad you did later.