Having sex again

Getting the timing right

When you have a new baby, having sex might seem impossible, especially for women who have had stitches. But you will heal, and normal feelings will return. This might happen quickly or might take some time, especially if you had a difficult birth, or you’re feeling exhausted or down.

You don’t need to wait until the postnatal check if you and your partner feel you’re ready for sex. If you feel comfortable, and bleeding has just about stopped, it’s OK (unless your doctor has advised otherwise).

The first try might be a little difficult, especially if you feel anxious, which is likely. Take it slowly and use some lubrication if you need to. If it’s too painful, try again in a week or so, when healing is more complete.

Physical issues and concerns

Sometimes, even when an episiotomy has fully healed, a tender spot remains, making intercourse painful. You will need to speak to your doctor if this is an ongoing problem. Pain might also be due to muscle spasm caused by tension and anxiety.

Some women find their muscles are too loose rather than too tight after being stretched during birth, so they (and their partner) find sex less satisfying. Pelvic floor exercises will help this.

While you are breastfeeding, your vagina may feel more dry than usual because of the change in hormones. Plenty of preparation can help, and many women use a lubricant to help things go smoothly. You can buy lubricating gel at the chemist.

Breastfeeding mothers might also notice milk leaking or even spurting during sex. This is because the hormone oxytocin, which causes milk to let down, is involved in sexual arousal as well. Many people find this part of the fun, but if it is a problem try feeding the baby or expressing first.

Your feelings

Because of the oxytocin hormone, some mothers feel not only sensual but also sexual while feeding the baby. This is normal, so there’s no need to feel guilty about it.

Some new mums feel more sexual than usual in the first few months after the baby is born, but many do not. The main reason for this is not usually pain, dryness or milk but sheer tiredness. Feeling that you are giving all you have to your baby day and night can leave you drained, with nothing left for your partner.

Contraception

If you’ve just had a baby, having another is probably the last thing on your mind. To make sure this doesn’t happen until you’re ready, you do need to give contraception some thought, and talk about it with your doctor.

Breastfeeding as a form of contraception
The hormones involved in lactation (making milk) tend to stop you ovulating for the first few months. So breastfeeding itself can be a good contraceptive when several conditions are met:

• You should be fully breastfeeding day and night (not giving any other foods or fluids to your baby).
• You should not have had a period.
• Your baby should be less than six months old.

Under these conditions, you have very little chance of falling pregnant (although it’s not a guarantee).

This is called the Lactational Amenorrhoea Method, and works as well as the mini-pill or condoms but it can ‘fail’.  You can use the minipill or condoms while you’re still fully breastfeeding.

Other forms of contraception
You need to use another method of contraception once:

• you have a period
• your baby reaches six months
• you start giving baby other foods (for example, a bottle of milk, or solids).

The combined oral contraceptive pill is not good to use when breastfeeding because it can decrease your milk supply. But progesterone-only pills (or minipills) are usually safe to use.

Condoms and diaphragms are safe, whether or not you’re breastfeeding. If you used a diaphragm before having a baby, this might need to be refitted. An IUD (intra-uterine device) is another possibility. See your doctor if you’re interested in this.

If you’re not breastfeeding, or as soon as you stop, your body gets ready to make another baby. You’ll probably get a period within a couple of months of giving birth (if not breastfeeding), or within a few weeks of weaning. Unlike when you’re fully breastfeeding, you might ovulate, and therefore possibly get pregnant, before your first period. Choose a contraceptive method as soon as you decide not to breastfeed. In this case, you have a lot of choice, including the combined pill or an implant such as implanon.

Video: physical intimacy and sexuality after having a baby

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‘Before you have a baby, you share your body with your partner. Once you have a baby, you share your body with your baby for a while’, says one mum in this short video. Another mum says this means you have to find a ‘new intimacy’ with your partner.

All the mums and dads in this video agree that it can be difficult to be physically intimate after your baby arrives. They talk about physical and emotional difficulties, effects of sleep deprivation, and ways to cope with the changes in your relationship with your partner in the months after your child is born.

 

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