You’ve recently had a baby, and you’re wondering what your sex life with your partner will be like from now on. Medical professionals recommend that women wait at least six weeks after giving birth to start having sex again. However, your personal preferences and medical needs may vary! You might not feel ready to be intimate with your partner again for a longer period of time, which is perfectly normal.
When to have sex after giving birth is a deeply personal decision. Here are a few ways in which you might feel differently about having sex postpartum, and how you can approach this decision in a healthy way with your partner.
Give Your Body Time to Recover
First, it’s important to give your body as much time as you need to recover. Just because your doctor says that you’re medically cleared to have sex again at six weeks postpartum does not mean that you have to.
Consider how your body feels, and the state of your mental health. You do not have to rush into anything.
Accept Offers for Help
Right now, it might feel like you and your partner simply don’t have enough time for each other. You’re busier than you’ve ever been before, and you have no idea how you’ll be able to make time for intimacy when your baby seems to need you at every waking moment. It can be tough to balance your new responsibilities with keeping the spark alive.
If someone offers to babysit for you, or help you out in another way, don’t hesitate to accept their assistance! This will take some responsibilities off of your plate and give you more time to relax with your partner.
Prepare for Changes in Libido
You might not feel like your sex drive is particularly high right now - and that’s okay. In fact, it’s a completely normal result of the postpartum shift that women experience after giving birth.
Rather than trying to make yourself feel something you don’t, think of this as a time to build up romance with your partner. Let them find ways to treat you that aren’t explicitly sexual.
Schedule Alone Time
As new parents, it isn’t easy to be spontaneous. In fact, in the early days of new parenthood, it’s practically impossible. That’s why scheduling alone time can help you find opportunities for intimacy.
Hoping that it will “just happen” might be a lost cause, at least for a little while. Being purposeful about making time for each other can help you get back into a rhythm that works for both of you.
Take It Slow
The first time you have sex after giving birth might feel differently than it used to, and this is perfectly fine. Simply take things slow and give yourself time to get used to intimacy again. You and your partner can relearn what feels best for you and take it from there at your own pace.
Use Birth Control
Many women assume that it’s impossible to get pregnant while they are breastfeeding. Even women who are not breastfeeding sometimes think that it won’t be possible to get pregnant again for a while after having a baby, but this is not true.
You can conceive while breastfeeding. That’s why it’s crucial to talk to your doctor about birth control before you start having sex again. Spacing out pregnancies can be essential for your reproductive health.
—
Are you and your partner struggling to revive your intimacy after having a baby? Talking to a therapist can help. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session for women’s counseling and postpartum therapy.