Sex after Pregnancy: When can I have sex after being pregnant?

So the sex you had before delivery was not enough #Smile don’t mind me,  I also asked the same question when my wife Gave birth..

Here is your answer

A woman who just gave birth should generally avoid sexual intercourse in the 4–6 weeks following vaginal or cesarean delivery. However, speak to a healthcare provider before resuming sexual activity.

If a woman has had a cesarean delivery, a perineal tear, or episiotomy, a medical professional will likely recommend that a couple waits until the 6-week postpartum visit before resuming sexual activity.

Following childbirth, a woman's body enters a healing phase when bleeding stops, tears heal, and the cervix closes. Having intercourse too early, especially within the first 2 weeks, increases the risk of postpartum hemorrhage or uterine infection.

Several factors determine whether someone is ready to resume sexual intercourse following the birth of an infant, including:

·         pain levels

·         fatigue

·         stress

·         sex drive

·         fear of sex or pregnancy

·         vaginal dryness

·         postpartum depression

In this article, we review when it is safe to have sex again following the birth of a baby, how it will feel, and which types of contraception to use.

Will it hurt?

Hormonal changes might leave your vagina dry and tender, especially if you're breast-feeding. You might experience some pain during sex if you're healing from an episiotomy or perineal tears.

To ease discomfort during sex:

·         Seek pain relief. Take pain-relieving steps beforehand, such as emptying your bladder, taking a warm bath or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. If you experience burning afterward, apply ice wrapped in a small towel to the area.

·         Use lubricant. This can be helpful if you experience vaginal dryness.

·         Experiment. Discuss alternatives to vaginal intercourse, such as massage, oral sex or mutual masturbation. Tell your partner what feels good — and what doesn't.

·         Make time. Set aside time for sex when you're not too tired or anxious.

If sex continues to be painful, consult your health care provider about possible treatment options.

Will it feel different?

Pregnancy, labor and a vaginal delivery can stretch or injure your pelvic floor muscles, which support the uterus, bladder, small intestine and rectum. To tone your pelvic floor muscles, try Kegel exercises. To do Kegels, imagine you are sitting on a marble and tighten your pelvic muscles as if you're lifting the marble. Try it for three seconds at a time, then relax for a count of three. Work up to doing the exercise 10 to 15 times in a row, at least three times a day.

Kegel exercises

Kegel exercises of the pelvic floor muscles can help provide strength and stability to the vaginal area following delivery.

They are simple, and a person can perform them almost anywhere.

The first step is to find your pelvic floor muscles. A person can locate these by stopping the flow of urine the next time they visit the bathroom. The points at which a person feels the strain are the pelvic floor muscles.

Follow these steps to perform a Kegel correctly:

1.               Relax the chest, abdomen, thighs, and buttock muscles.

2.               Try to stop an imaginary stream of urine mid-flow.

3.               Squeeze the pelvic muscles and hold for between 5 and 10 seconds.

4.               Break for 5 to 10 seconds and repeat ten times.

5.               Repeat the exercises three times per day.

A person will be able to increase the duration of each squeeze, and the number of sets as their pelvic floor muscles strengthen.

Over time, this should help make sex less painful and more enjoyable.

However, some people may benefit from an appointment with a pelvic floor rehabilitation specialist to evaluate and treat painful postpartum sex.

Birth control after pregnancy

Taking birth control methods after a pregnancy can prevent another.

A reliable method of birth control following delivery is essential to prevent unintended pregnancy.

People interested in immediate contraception should consider barrier options, such as condoms, or progestin-only contraceptives, such as Depo-Provera or the mini-pill.

People who would prefer to use a copper or intrauterine hormonal device or a fitted barrier method of contraception, such as a diaphragm or cervical cap, should discuss options with a healthcare provider.

People wanting to use combination birth control methods containing both estrogen and progesterone, such as pills or a vaginal ring, should also speak with a healthcare provider to see if this option is right for them.

Pregnancy can cause some physical changes. Most doctors recommend waiting 4–6 weeks to resume sexual intercourse after delivery. The body must heal from labor, especially following an intensive surgery, such as a cesarean birth.

Kegel exercises can help a woman recover cervical strength and help reduce painful and uncomfortable sex after delivering an infant.

The point at which people decide to have sexual intercourse following the birth of a child is a personal decision. Couples should speak to each other and their healthcare team about any concerns they may have.