5 Tips to Prepare for Sex After Childbirth

Each year in the United States, there are between 3.6 and 3.7 million live births, leaving millions of women to deal with the aftermath of childbirth. Though life isn’t the same after you welcome a new addition to your family, there are some things to which you do want to return — such as an active and pleasurable sex life.

Although there’s no exact timeline when it comes to post-childbirth sex, there are some good rules of thumb that the team of obstetric specialists here at Bay Area Physicians for Women’s Health wants to share. So, let’s dive in.

1. Practice patience after childbirth

Your body goes through some dramatic changes during pregnancy, during childbirth, and after delivery, and it’s going to take some time before everything bounces back — and things may not bounce back the way they were.

The first tip that we want to recommend is to practice patience after childbirth. If we were to place numbers on this patience, most women’s health experts recommend waiting four to six weeks after delivery to have sexual intercourse again.

These numbers are just guidelines, and you need to plug your own considerations into the equation. For example, if you incurred perineal tearing, you might want to wait a bit longer. 

2. Proceed when you’re feeling it

Even though waiting for your body to heal and repair itself after delivery is a good first step, we also recommend returning to sex when you feel ready — mentally and physically.

You should know that post-pregnancy hormones can make your vaginal tissue thinner and more sensitive, not to mention these hormones can lower your libido. Add that to the fact that you’re on call round the clock with a newborn and your sex drive might, understandably, plummet.

So, don’t force it, and get back to your sex life when you feel ready.

3. Take it slow and increase foreplay

When you do start to feel ready, you might want to take it slow and avoid penetration, at first. This is also a good time to engage in more foreplay as lubrication can also be an issue after childbirth.

4. Be open and honest with your partner

It’s also a good idea to talk openly with your partner about post-childbirth sex. Let them know how you’re doing physically, mentally, and emotionally so that they don’t take your abstinence personally. 

On top of keeping your partner up to speed through open communication, you can also encourage them to come up with ideas of their own for re-establishing your sex life.

5. Do some Kegels

If you want to get back to an active sex life sooner rather than later, we suggest that you incorporate some Kegel exercises into your regimen that can strengthen your pelvic floor, as well as the muscles in your vagina. These exercises can also help with any lingering post-delivery incontinence.

We’re going to end here with a reminder about patience and readiness. Take your time and go slowly. Listen to your body, and keep the communication lines open with your partner. 

If you have more questions about having sex after childbirth, we’re just a click away. To get started, please contact our office in Mobile, Alabama, to schedule an appointment with one of our women’s health experts.