Sex And Intimacy
When to begin sex and intimacy again is purely a couple’s personal choice. It is generally a good idea to wait until your vaginal bleeding has stopped, but some may prefer to wait until after the postnatal check at 6 weeks. It can be tricky to find the right opportunity, as you now have less time together as a couple and you both feel exhausted.
Your body takes months to recover from childbirth, in fact for some women it takes up to a year.
Some women feel less attractive after childbirth and find their libido is low. There are many physical and emotional reasons for this. e.g. fluctuating hormonal levels, leaking breasts and a flabby tummy, etc. Your body takes months to recover from childbirth, in fact for some women it takes up to a year. You may be worried about physical issues, such as whether your stitches and internal organs have recovered from childbirth. It’s important to talk with your partner and share each other’s feelings, and better understand each other’s needs.
Some practical tips
- You may not feel like full intercourse in the beginning. Just cuddling and getting used to be touched in a sexual way can re-establish intimacy.
- Some women have vaginal dryness and may still be tender, so try some lubricating gel to help.
- Experiment with different positions to find what feels more comfortable.
- You may find intercourse is less satisfying until your muscle tone improves. Remember to do your pelvic floor exercises each day.
- See if you can find a different time of day to be together, when you are less tired, such as when your baby is having a day sleep.
See your Child and Family Health Nurse or family doctor if you are concerned about ongoing physical or emotional issues that prevent you getting back to a normal sexual relationship together.
