Intercourse After Pregnancy: Is It Okay?

sex after pregnancy sex after baby sex intercourse Pregnancy

By Staff Reporter , Parent Herald Jun 09, 06:44 pm

Photo: (Photo : Photo by Katie E from Pexels)

For couples wondering if it is okay to engage in sexual intercourse after pregnancy, well, the answer is, yes! It is okay to have intercourse after pregnancy. However, you may want to do it after a few weeks.

How do you know it is time?

Sex is one massive and emotional topic, especially postpartum. You need to know that your journey starts with the six weeks postpartum check-up. Also, you need to see if you are healed already or close to it, at the very least. You will get your signal for resuming penetrative sexual intercourse, as well as discussing your birth control if it applies to you.

And although you already have your signal from your medical provider, that does not mean that you are genuinely ready for sexual penetration. Medically speaking, it only means that after that six weeks, you are less prone to infections and undue tissue damage should you have sexual intercourse after pregnancy.

What you need to do is assess yourself. Ask yourself if you can already do it, if you want to do it, and if you are ready to do it again.

And if what happens is you are raring to go at that six weeks of years, not to mention having pain-free, and lusty sex, then congratulations to you!

Reduce painful sexual intercourse after pregnancy

Because of the low level of estrogen circulation during the postpartum period, many women have experienced vaginal dryness. That is why sex after baby can feel markedly different. Sex may even be painful because of perineal tear or episiotomy for months after giving birth.

However, there are ways that you can do to reduce painful sexual intercourse after pregnancy.

Control the depth of penetration with different sexual positions
Increase vaginal lubrication
Taking pain medication
Emptying your bladder
Take a warm bath

Vaginal lubrication, such as those over-the-counter (OTC) creams or gels, can be useful in relieving vaginal dryness. During the healing process, oral or manual stimulation can also be an option.

Sexual intercourse after baby may even be better

Many women enjoy sex more after pregnancy than they did before they were parents. A possible explanation is that giving birth awakens them to a various range of sensations. Their bodies, particularly their genitals, have become alive, increasing their potential in pleasure.

Pregnancy can also shift their internal organs into just the right places, making them more sensitive to stimulation. According to many women, sex after the baby gave them more comfortable with their bodies and more intense orgasms.

Different from what you might think, having kids, or more kids, do not equate to less sex. The same with how going from zero to one child is the most significant adjustment; returning to sex after baby number one is also the toughest. At a certain point, you will realize that life with your children is always going to be chaotic. Thus, you want to fool around and have sex wherever and whenever you can.