Can You Have Sex During Postpartum? (When is it Safe?)
On episode 72 of the Learning to Mom Podcast, I sat down with Ellen Halloway, a Catholic sex and intimacy coach and host of the Charting Towards Intimacy Podcast. During our conversation, we talked about when and how you can enjoy sex in Postpartum.
Curious to know more?
Tune into episode 72 of the Learning to Mom Podcast, “How to Have Great Postpartum Sex and What To Expect with Ellen Halloway from Charting Toward Intimacy | Ep. 72” to learn the details!
Is Postpartum Sex Painful?
It can be scary to think about having sex after delivery, especially since your body just underwent a huge experience. It’s perfectly normal to feel this way.
When you have sex after delivery, it should never be painful. If this is the case, stop immediately.
If you’re breastfeeding, you may experience some leakage from your breasts during sex. Still, you should never have issues like pain during sex.
Why am I not interested in Sex during Postpartum?
After delivery, you may find that you’re having trouble getting aroused or intimately connecting with your partner. Why?
Since you’re putting so much effort into taking care of your body in Postpartum, sometimes there’s not enough energy for you to devote to your sex drive.
You’re going through a HUGE life adjustment.
You can increase your sex drive by prioritizing proper nutrition and sleep.
You can also reach out to a functional doctor to have lab work done to understand if you have any deficiencies.
If you’re just not “in the mood,” find other ways to connect with your husband, like having coffee or going for walks.
How long should I wait to have sex after birth?
Generally, you need to wait until you get the clear from your doctor at six weeks before having sex. This is to allow your body enough time to heal from giving birth.
The timing can vary from woman to woman, but there’s a higher risk for infection before the six-week mark.
After six weeks, your body should be fully healed. Your doctor will ensure you are good to go!
How do I increase pleasure in sex during postpartum?
There are several techniques that can help you enjoy sex during Postpartum:
Find your perfect position: Position your body where you have total control of penetration and speed. This will make the experience more comfortable.
Set aside a full hour for foreplay: A whole hour will give you and your husband time to get comfortable and feel ready for sex.
A very important note: Talk to your husband before having sex.
Talk about:
Any fears you may have around resuming sex.
Tell him how your body is healing after delivery.
This will allow him to understand the situation and bring you both closer together.
Is Postpartum Sex Good or Bad?
We all want to feel close to the people in our lives, especially after enduring a particularly intimidating experience like giving birth.
As long as you’re doing the right things to be safe, having sex with your partner after delivery can be an awesome way to connect!
Don’t be afraid to enjoy sex with your husband after you have your baby.
It may take time for you both to feel ready, but working through this change in your relationship will only deepen your love.
Want to know more about resuming sex during Postpartum?
Catch episode 72 of the Learning to Mom Podcast, “How to Have Great Postpartum Sex and What To Expect with Ellen Halloway from Charting Toward Intimacy | Ep. 72” for the answers!
