Precautions to be taken during intercourse after delivery

Pregnancy and delivery do change a lot about one’s body, as well as one’s sex life. The focus has to be there on intercourse after delivery and what sort of precautions to be taken during that time.

Post-delivery hormonal changes can make vaginal tissue thinner and also more sensitive. One’s vagina, uterus, and cervix have to “return” to normal size as well. And if the woman is breastfeeding, that can lower libido.

One’s body does require some time off after delivery.

There is no definitive timeline that says how long a person needs to wait to have sex after rather giving birth. Most doctors do tend to recommend women wait four to six weeks following a vaginal delivery.

After one’s doctor has given clearance to resume sexual activities, the person may still need to take things slowly. In addition to physical recovery, the woman has to adjust to a new family member, less sleep, and a change in her regular routine.

The woman may also need to wait longer if she has to have a perineal tear or episiotomy. An episiotomy happens to be a surgical cut to widen the vagina. Returning to sex too soon can increase one’s risk of complications, such as postpartum hemorrhage and uterine infection.

How does delivery affect sex?

Sex after delivery does make a person feel different. Several women experienced sexual problems in the first three months after, of course, their first delivery.

The most common issue is intercourse after delivery.

includes:

  • Vaginal dryness.
  • Thin vaginal tissue.
  • Loss of elasticity in vaginal tissue.
  • Bleeding.
  • Perineal tear or episiotomy.
  • Pain.
  • “loose” muscles.
  • Soreness.
  • Fatigue.
  • Low libido.

Hormones do play a big role in post-delivery recovery and a return to normal sexual activity.

Vaginal birth can, rather, temporarily stretch the muscles of the vaginal canal. These muscles need time to recover their strength and stability.

Precautions to be taken during intercourse after delivery
Precautions to be taken during intercourse after delivery

If she had a perineal tear or episiotomy during vaginal birth, then the woman can take time to recover. Having sex too soon can indeed increase one’s risk of an infection.

How soon can the woman get pregnant?

Breastfeeding can be effective as a form of birth control in women who:

  • Are rather less than six months postpartum.
  • Still exclusively breastfeed their respective child
  • Have not started menstruating.

Consulting the doctor is essential.

Is bleeding during sex normal after delivery?

In the weeks immediately following childbirth, the woman is likely to experience little regular bleeding as her uterus heals. Sex can cause some additional blood loss.

If the bleeding during sex does not stop within four to six weeks or worsens, seeing the doctor is a good idea.

Effects of pregnancy and delivery on libido

The hormones estrogen and progesterone are essential for one’s baby’s healthy development during pregnancy. They also happen to be vital for sex drive.

Levels of these hormones are very high during pregnancy, and once the baby is born, they decline dramatically, back to pre-pregnancy levels.

There can be no sexual desire for a few weeks. Waiting four to six weeks can be done for the body to rather recover.

If breastfeeding, it may take more time for the libido to return than it would for women who are not breastfeeding. Breastfeeding keeps estrogen levels low.

Estrogen supplements are indeed discouraged if the woman is breastfeeding, as they can impact milk production.

Once the body adjusts to its new normal or the woman stops breastfeeding, the hormones will indeed begin to work again, and the libido will return.

Conclusion

Pregnancy leads to a lot of physical changes in one’s body. Intercourse after delivery has to be kept in mind as well.