S*x Life After Delivery: What You Need to Know

Ineh Olisah

Now that you have put to bed, is your sex life back in full swing? To say that ‘doing it’ isn’t topping your to-do list these days or even making top 10 won’t be an overstatement. It is not uncommon for women to feel so out of sex after delivery.

Reasons for this include the following:

• After normal delivery, vaginal bleeding continues for a period of about four to six weeks. Take note that recovery time is largely individual, so pay attention to your body.
• The size and shape of the vagina takes about six to eight weeks to return to its near normal size.
• Sex after birth may be painful and likely unpleasureable. If you are breast feeding, you may be overwhelmed by the changes in your breasts and may want to restrict them to nursing only.
• For women who under-went c-section, episiotomy or other procedures are expected to wait for the stitches to heal. The sound of sex is scary and even painful several weeks after delivery especially for episiotomy.

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• Your may need four to twelve weeks for your hormones and natural lubricators to return to normal, when your menstruation is likely to begin.
• Considering the length of time you put in caring for a new born day and night contact your local health care provider could very well leave you too fatigued to want to have sex.
• To resume sex, we advice that you and your partner go for counseling and advice.

Try getting at it by trying out these tips:

Kegel Exercise

Restore muscle tone to your vagina by doing the Kegels day and night. Increase pleasure for you and your man by also doing the exercise when you are ‘doing it.’

Lubricate

Since one of the main challenges is the absence of natural lubricants which makes sex painful, using the K-Y jelly will be of immense help. And remember, using a lubricant doesn’t make you less of a woman.

READ ALSO: 5 Things That Can Increase A Woman’s Libido

Loosen up

Treat yourself to a small glass of wine occasionally. This will help you unwind and keep you from tensing up and experiencing pain during intercourse. If you are still breasting, drink only after a feeding.

Get A Massage

This is another great way to loosen up. Feel free to request one from your partner before the ‘action.’