Postpartum sex, what do you need to know?

For married couples, sex has become one of the main needs. However, after giving birth, there are usually many questions that may come to mind for mothers and fathers regarding sex or intimate relationships.

Questions include how long or when to have sex again after a normal delivery or when to reconnect after (post) delivery by cesarean section.

You may also be wondering about the comfortable sex positions after a vaginal delivery or cesarean section.

Don't be confused, let's dive into all the information and guides about sex for the first time after giving birth in this review to revive your passionate love for you and your partner!

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When can you have sex after giving birth?

The ideal time to return to sex (sex) or intimate after normal or cesarean delivery varies for each partner.

Actually, when can or may have sex after (post) normal delivery and cesarean section depends on the readiness of the mother's body.

Launching from the Mayo Clinic page, mothers are generally advised to wait about 4-6 weeks if you want to have intercourse after giving birth.

This recommendation applies to mothers who have recently given birth by any method, be it a normal delivery or a cesarean section.

However, there are also new mothers who need a little longer to have sex after (post) delivery.

The reason for the distance or a certain period of time to be able to have sex after normal delivery and cesarean section is because of the possible risk of complications.

Because, the risk of complications is generally the highest during the first two weeks postpartum.

The body needs time to recover

Apart from complications, the mother's body also needs time to recover after giving birth before starting to have sex again.

If the mother gives birth normally, there is usually postnatal care, including treatment of perineal wounds.

Meanwhile, after cesarean section, recovery usually includes treatment of a SC wound (caesarean section) because of the caesarean section scar.

In addition, giving a certain distance or period of time to be able to have sex after normal delivery and cesarean section is also useful for waiting until the lochia stops.

Lokia or puerperal blood is normal bleeding that commonly occurs during the puerperium, which is about 40 days (6 weeks).

Basically, every woman has a different level of readiness about sex after giving birth.

Some had sex six weeks after giving birth and complained about nothing.

However, there are also those who just made love again after two months but still feel uncomfortable.

So, it is important for you and your partner to measure each other's readiness.

What should be considered during sex after childbirth?

Enjoyment of sex that you and your partner may feel before giving birth is usually a little different from after (post) delivery.

Here are some changes that may occur when having sex after (post) childbirth:

1. Vaginal dryness and pain

It is normal for sexual intercourse for the first time after a normal delivery or by caesarean section may not feel as comfortable as usual.

The mother may experience vaginal dryness or pain due to hormonal changes.

Hormonal changes in women who give birth normally and by caesarean section can cause anorgasmia.

Anorgasmia is a condition when it is difficult for you to have an orgasm regardless of any stimulation your vagina is receiving.

Complaints of vaginal dryness after childbirth due to hormonal changes that have decreased quite drastically are what makes penetration during sex painful.

Another possible cause of pain after normal postpartum sex could be due to the episiotomy process, quoting the Baby Center.

An episiotomy can result in injury to the part between the anus and vagina (perineum).

2. The return of uterine size

Meanwhile, for mothers who have just had a cesarean section, the cause sex after (post) childbirth feels pain maybe because the size of the uterus returns to normal.

The uterus that was once large will contract to return to its original size.

During this process, you may get injured, so you risk the formation of scar tissue around the uterus.

This is why the benchmark for how long it is possible to have intercourse after a normal delivery and cesarean section is returned again according to the readiness of the mother and partner.

3. Decreased sex drive

Many things affect changes in sex drive, both mother and husband, after (post) childbirth, namely:

Fatigue

A mother's desire or desire to return to intercourse after giving birth can be masked by the fatigue she feels from caring for a newborn.

Newborn babies need a lot of attention so that it can be physically and emotionally draining for the mother.

Even if the mother has time to rest, usually the mother prefers to sleep rather than have sexual intercourse with a partner.

Recovery of the body

The mother's body still needs time to recover after giving birth.

The reason is, the body is still making various changes, including hormonal changes.

These changes in the body may also affect the mother's desire for intercourse after (post) delivery.

Sometimes, sexual intercourse for the first time after giving birth may make the mother uncomfortable.

Any change in body shape can make a mother feel less sexy.

This is where the couple's job is to make sure that there is no problem with the body shape of the new mother.

Are breastfeeding

The hormone estrogen in the mother's body decreases during breastfeeding. In fact, the hormone estrogen is known to increase sex drive.

In addition, the hormone estrogen is also responsible for maintaining vaginal moisture and flexibility.

Lack of production of the hormone estrogen can make the vagina feel drier, causing pain during penetration.

Husband sees wife giving birth

Not always seeing the process of giving birth to be a pleasant experience for a husband.

There are "scenes" that a man may never be able to forget when he sees his wife giving birth and this is very likely to have an impact on his psychology.

This can lead to how seeing childbirth affects men's sexual activity.

Seeing the wife's vagina is wide open during childbirth and how the baby comes out of the vagina which is usually a trigger for male sexual desire.

Witnessing the process makes it difficult for men to return the way they view the vagina to the way it was before.

In addition, husbands who accompany their wives in the delivery room also have to see an unusual sight.

These include bleeding from the wife's body, to the wife's feces which normally come out as a result of the pushing process.

Seeing everything that happens during childbirth can have a traumatic effect that ultimately affects men's sexual desire.

Husbands can become discouraged later if their wives feel pain during intercourse after childbirth.

How to deal with pain during sex after childbirth?

Some of the changes that occur during intercourse do not become an obstacle to complete absence from sex after childbirth.

Try to be more relaxed with your partner and avoid overexerting yourself during sex after childbirth.

In addition, some of the following tips can be tried to help relieve pain or pain when doing sex postpartum or postpartum mothers:

• Take steps to relieve pain, for example by taking a warm shower, urinating to empty the bladder, or taking pain medication as recommended by a doctor.
• Tell your partner if the peneteration during sex after (post) delivery feels painful.
• Discuss with your partner how to have sex that is most comfortable for both of you after giving birth.
• Get around with the help of sex lubricants.
• Slow down the foreplay.
• Do Kegel exercises to help tone your pelvic floor muscles.
• Making love after giving birth in the least painful sexual position.
• If you suffer from postpartum depression, see a trusted therapist or psychologist right away.

Understand that your body needs time to recover to the way it was after childbirth, especially now that your little one is here.

If you feel discomfort that makes it difficult to have sex after (post) normal delivery or cesarean section, try to consult further with your doctor.

What are the best sex positions after giving birth?

The benchmark for how long to have sex after a normal delivery or a caesarean section actually returns to the readiness of you and your partner.

Well, if you and your partner want to try to restore intimacy by having sex during childbirth or after childbirth, here are the sex positions that can be relied on:

1. The woman above (woman on top)

This style of making love is done with the husband lying on his back, while the woman will sit on top of the man while adjusting the movement and speed of penetration according to personal comfort.

In addition, this position also allows the penis to directly stimulate the clitoris which can ensure sexual satisfaction for the wife.

As an alternative, the husband can sit back with a cushion behind his back while holding his partner.

2. Missionaries

The missionary style is carried out by a woman lying on her back facing the husband's partner who penetrates from the top of the wife's body.

This lovemaking position that can be done after a normal delivery or a caesarean section is the classic and most intimate style.

This lovemaking position involves warm gaze and alluring caresses that can strengthen the inner bond between husband and wife.

In addition, you can modify it by whispering, kissing affectionately, and biting naughty on the neck of your partner to fuel his passion even more.

The missionary position is just right to prolong the duration of lovable and enjoyable lovemaking.

3. Sideways (spooning)

The jaw-dropping position can be the best alternative as a sex position after having children.

Spooning is the most suitable choice of sex positions for those who enjoy sex that is relaxed, slow, and more intimate.

The trick, you and your partner lying side by side facing the same direction.

In general, the husband will “enter from behind” while holding his partner in his arms.

Spooning helps you minimize pain during sex during the puerperium or after childbirth.

If your husband has difficulty penetrating or moving, use a pillow to help lift your pelvis.

When having sex in the style of making lovespooning, the wife can raise one leg towards the stomach and the other slightly extended forward.

This aims to make it easier for couples to penetrate.

4. Masturbate together

Mutual masturbation is a position to have sex that is stress-free, easy, and enjoyable.

Masturbation is often numbered as a position to have sex.

This may be because many people do not perceive the activity as "real" sex unless there is penetration involved.

In fact, masturbating together is a great way to learn about each other's desires and pleasures while enjoying satisfying orgasms.

Masturbation can be very helpful when you and your partner don't feel ready for penetrative sex.

Masturbation can also be used if the mother is not physically able to return to intercourse after (after) giving birth, but wants to be involved in sexual activities together.

On the other hand, mutual masturbation can be used foreplay nor the main menu sex after or after the mother gave birth.