First Sex after Delivery: 5 Things You Should Be Ready For

Once you’ve given birth, sex may be the last thing on your mind. Being aware of these five truths will help you get sooner in the bedroom after delivery.

1. Sex won’t feel the same. It’s normal.

The first sex after delivery can be a little tougher for some and a lot easier for others both psychological and otherwise.

Depending on how it is for you and despite the possibility that sex might not feel the same again, you just have to know that sex is a major and important aspect in your relationship and so you have to get ready for it mentally.

Know also that it is normal for sex not to feel the same after your first delivery. After all, your body has recently experienced great changes. Talk to your partner and discuss all your concerns.

2. Your body knows best when it’s ready. Be patient.

Having sex after normal delivery could turn out to be a bugging thought for you as a woman and you will definitely wonder when to have sex after delivery. Well you have to be patient as your body knows when it is ready.

The vagina begins to heal straight after giving birth due to its resilient nature, even if it has endured cuts and lacerations during delivery. There is a high risk of having complications and infection after delivery within the first weeks. Your doctor or midwife might instruct that you allow your body 4-6 weeks to heal.

3. The first post-birth intercourse won’t definitely be painful but chances are high.

Painful sex after delivery is real. After delivery, changes in hormonal levels due to breastfeeding might cause your vagina to dry up, leaving it tender and making sec more painful. .

For the ease and comfort, you might be advised by your doctor or midwife to use lubricants.

Oral sex and massage can become your good friends in the postpartum period. Oral sex after delivery is totally safe and the best alternative in case your partner doesn’t feel satisfied by massage and doesn’t want to engage in masturbation.

4. Psychological readiness is just as important as physical.

This is another issue you should be ready for. The possibility of not being mentally ready for sex after having a baby is high as you will have a lot on your mind. Breastfeeding the new baby, taking care of your baby’s clothing and other daily activities.

You might also feel that the sex will hurt due to your ‘just delivered status’. Talk to your partner to allow intimacy in other ways until you are ready to handle sex psychologically.

Also, be on the alert for postpartum depression. Visit your doctor who will advise you on what to do if you start noticing signs of anxiety or depression which might include loss of appetite, severe mood swings, fatigue that overwhelms you and so on.

5. Birth control is important.

Although breastfeeding might offer a certain level of protection against pregnancy, it varies from woman to woman. Using contraceptives immediately after delivery is not totally bad. Your doctor might suggest that you use such contraceptives as implants, a copper intrauterine device or certain progestin-only contraceptives.

Research has discovered that combined birth control pills can pose a risk of blood clots immediately after delivery. It is very important to talk to your doctor about birth control pills and devices before going through with it unless of course you want another baby straight away!

5 tips for great postpartum sex

• Take your time. Don’t rush it: A lot of people make the mistake of rushing into sex immediately after they’ve delivered but most doctors advise that you take your time as it gives your body time to heal and it tends to make for better sex.
• Take a bubble bath with your partner. This will help you get to know your partner again. It’s not that easy to find time to relax between taking care of the baby’s needs and your own needs. However, when your baby is asleep is a great time to sneak off with your partner into the bathroom for a nice bubble bath. You will find out that this puts you in the mood for a sexual encounter.
• Be spontaneous during partner time. Sex is great when spontaneity is incorporated and it isn’t just meant for your bedroom, nighttime or your bathroom. Go ahead, be spontaneous!
• Plan for birth control. Just like we mentioned earlier, it would be a great idea to seek your doctor’s help when the issue of birth control pills and contraceptives arises. He or she is in the best position to tell you what type of birth control is best for you. 
• Invest in some lube. It will be particularly useful after delivery because the vagina tends to be dry during this period and having sex might be a little uncomfortable. So, making lubricants a part of your sex life after delivery might save you from being uncomfortable and help you to relax.

We hope we’ve been of help to you and have addressed all your concerns. Keep it in mind once you’ve given birth, your periods will start in a couple of weeks, unless you’re breastfeeding and you can get pregnant very easily straight after delivery, in fact you’re at your most fertile!