Sex After Childbirth - Sexynews #49

Making the baby is the fun part. Once your bundle of joy arrives, everything changes. Life as we knew it has changed completely due to COVID-19 but adding a baby to the mix will definitely add some new complexities to your life.

Childbirth changes things

Most parents-to-be usually have some idea of what major life changes will be once the baby arrives. What most couples don’t consider are the physical changes that occur after childbirth, and how it affects their sex life, even after a caesarean section. You may face some challenges as you consider ‘jumping back into the sack again’ especially if you had a difficult or traumatic birth. Here we will go through some things you may need to consider before you decide to go the next round. 

When is it ok to have sex again after childbirth?

Most obstetricians recommend waiting at least 4-6 weeks before having sex again, but like every birth, every woman is different. The best answer would be simply when you’re physically and mentally ready, and make sure that your partner is aware of any concerns you may have. The problem with jumping into sex too early after birth is that you risk injuring any lacerations that may have occurred during the birth and the risk of infection, especially if you’re still having postpartum bleeding. If you really can’t wait to experience the joys of orgasms, post childbirth, we recommend using toys that stimulate the clitoris only and nothing penetrative. Touch-free clitoral stimulators like the Satisfyer Pro 2 are usually your best bet.

Painful sex after childbirth

Some women experience pain after childbirth and some don’t. Again, everyone is different. There are many reasons that sex may be painful after birth. Things aren’t where they used to be before the pregnancy. Your uterus and cervix may be lower down. There might be tightening where you had a repair.

Heightened levels of estrogen may cause some dryness, especially if you’re breastfeeding. We recommend keeping a tube of good quality Lubricant on hand if this should arise. A natural, water based lubricant such as our Bio Sensitive Water Based Lubricant is ideal.

If you required stitches to repair a tear or episiotomy, you may experience pain in your perineum. Scar tissue may develop making sex painful. If you're concerned, it's always best to consult with a GP to ensure everything is healing properly.

Sex after caesarean section

Even though the birth didn’t directly involve the birth canal, women start dilating weeks before your due date. With a dilated cervix, it can still lead to an infection if bacteria travels from the vagina, so it’s still recommended that new mums wait the recommend 4-6 weeks after birth to engage in sex again. Besides, you still need to give your body time to rest and for your stitches to heal. When you do decide to have sex, make sure you’re in positions where your partner is not putting any pressure on your caesarean wound. It can take up to six weeks for the external wound to heal properly and six months for the abdominal wall muscles to heal.

When resuming sexual activity

When it’s safe to resume sexual activity, we recommend using a slim Vibrator with natural Lubricant to massage the vaginal tissue to help it stretch, making it more flexible and less painful. The Basic Pleasure Vibe is perfect for gentle massage due to its smooth, slim shaft. Dilators are specifically designed for this purpose and can be purchased in sets for gradual dilation.

Physical changes to your body

Apart from some of your insides not being where they used to be before pregnancy, you may also notice some changes to your vagina such as it being stretched larger and lacking tone. Incontinence is also something that many women experience after childbirth due to the stretching of the pelvic floor during labor. Pelvic floor exercises are something that every woman should be doing, even before pregnancy. Strong pelvic floor muscles reduce the risk of urinary incontinence and ensure stronger orgasms. In addition to pelvic floor exercises, the use of Kegal Balls can help to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and are suitable for use before and after childbirth. The Inspire Weighted Silicon Kegel Training Kit is perfect for beginners and advanced users alike. 

Life has slowed down due to lockdown restrictions, your new baby is here and you and your partner have more time together than ever before. Make the most of these precious days. Take things slowly. Don't rush into the hot and heavy sex until you're 100% ready to! Starting a family can make life hectic and complex. It's important not to lose the romance and the connection that got you here.