Sex After Pregnancy

Many men accuse low sex drive due to the kids' presence around the house. But the birth of a child should not mean the end of our sex lives.

Indeed, you should forget about it for 2-6 weeks, until bleeding (lochia) has stopped. In the case of cesarean deliveries, there is also an issue of wound healing.

There are also many reasons why women have low sex drive after birth: overall discomfort and fatigue, pain in case of stitches; natural low lubrication up to 8-10 weeks after delivery, especially when breastfeeding; fear of conception (women get pregnant while breastfeeding!).

A woman can feel herself unattractive due to the hormonal changes occurring after delivery. She can be anxious about changes in her life induced by her newborn.

Usually, doctors would recommend couples to wait for about 6 weeks, until the woman's period gets regular again and her body has healed significantly.

Then, women must resume contraceptive methods immediately as they can get pregnant again, even when they are breastfeeding. Breastfeeding mothers must avoid contraceptive pills with estrogen, which drops milk production.

Still, the long-term effects of progesterone-only pills on babies are not investigated, that's why many experts recommend the use of condoms, intra-uterine devices, contraceptive creams or gels, or the diaphragm.

Generally, doctors advise women to resume sex after pregnancy only when they feel ready for it, both physically and emotionally.

Sex after pregnancy comes with some positive effects for the woman: besides re-bonding the partners, hormones released during sex trigger contractions that help the uterus get back to its original state.

Partners must talk to each other about their feelings, be gentle and not rush things up. Penetration should be avoided six weeks before delivery, partners having just oral sex. More caressing, cuddling and kissing are needed during foreplay for arousal.

The lack of natural lubrication of the vagina can be replaced by a lubricant until the female's hormone levels turn to normal. In case of stitches or episiotomy, the woman can feel pain and this must stop immediately.