When Can You Have Sex After C Section? Tips To Follow

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建议剖腹产后做爱只有four to six weeks after childbirth. Although C-sections do not cause any vaginal trauma, it is major abdominal surgery, and women need some time to recover from it and for the incision to heal. It also takes around six weeks for the cervix to close after delivery.

Moreover, many women experience vaginal dryness, low sexual drive, and fatigue for a few weeks, causing them to prefer a delay in sexual activity after childbirth. That said, every woman is different: some need more time to resume intimate activity, while others may require a shorter period. Most importantly, listen to your body and your doctor’s advice before resuming any intense activities.

Read on to learn when sex is safe after C-section, why sex may be painful, and other helpful tips regarding sex after a C-section.

In This Article

When To Have Sex After C-Section?

It is recommended not to have vaginal intercourse until after your six-week postpartum check-up.Rushing into intense activities, including sex, before four weeksmanbetx3.0体育下载 may cause complications, such as infection or bleeding, in some women.

You may also consider the following factors while deciding to resume intercourse after a C-section delivery.

  • C-section incision healing rate
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Emotional state and mental health
  • Overall physical health
  • Birth control method

Many people have misconceptions such as it is possible to have sex soon afterC-section deliverysince it won’t cause trauma to the vagina as in vaginal delivery.However, it may take nearly six weeks for the cervix to close, the uterus to come back to normal size, and the C-section incision wound to heal (1).

Some women may have to wait for more time to return to sexual intercourse after C-section delivery due to the following factors.

  • C-section wound incision is still healing
  • Severe pain
  • Drain is placed after surgery
  • Underwent cesarean hysterectomy (the uterus is removed during C-section) due to medical reasons

Once all these issues are cleared, you are medically ready to resume sexual activity, but it does not mean that a woman is ready to resume intercourse at this time. In addition, some mothers can experience low sexual drive (libido) due to mental health issues such as baby blues and postpartum depression.

Most new mothers are overwhelmed by the responsibility of breastfeeding and caring for a baby, sleepless nights in addition to concerns about their bodily changes brought on by pregnancy, and sex may not be in the forefront of their thoughts.

Breastfeeding also causes a hormone called Prolactin to be raised, dampening libido.

protip_icon Point to consider
There are no fixed timelines. While some women may be ready for intercourse sooner, others may take weeks or even months before they are ready for it (9).

What Causes Painful Sex After C-Section?

The exact cause of postpartum dyspareunia, that is, painful sex after childbirth remains unclear in many cases. This could occur both in women who underwentC-section deliveryand those who had a vaginal delivery.More than 25% of women who underwent C-sections were shown to have postpartum dyspareunia in a study.根据这项研究,花了5.5月s to recover from the pain, and most felt tenderness up to one year after delivery (2).

The following factors may cause painful sex after C-section delivery (3).

  • Low estrogen levels:Hormones can fluctuate in the postpartum period. Breastfeeding can lower estrogen levels, which may lead to vaginal dryness and low libido in many women.
  • Muscular issues:Many women may feel pain or discomfort during intercourse since the pelvic floor muscles were under pressure while holding the baby duringnine months of pregnancy

You may seek the consultation of an OB-GYN or other healthcare professionals if you continue to experience pain during sex even after several months of childbirth. Doctors may examine and prescribe estrogen creams forvaginal drynessand consider physical therapy if needed. A physical therapist may outline exercises and manual therapy for muscular problems.

protip_icon Quick fact
Scar tissue from tears in women who had vaginal deliveries is less stretchy than the rest of the vaginal tissue. It softens and stretches after attempting intercourse several times (10).

Are There Risks Associated With Sex After C-Section?

Some women resume sexual intercourse before healing from C-section, increasing the risk of bleeding and infection. You may seek doctors’ advice before having sex to know the risks based on individual factors. Strenuous activities, including sex and certain exercises, can also delay incision healing (4).

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, nothing should be placed inside the vagina for a few weeks after cesarean section to prevent infections.It is safe to have sex after the incision is healed, and there is no risk of tearing the incision due to pelvic floor muscle contractions during orgasm.

protip_icon Point to consider
After childbirth, the cervix takes some time to heal. So, anything that enters the vagina carries an increased risk of bacteria entering the uterus. For many women, it is possible that their cervix was dilated before they underwent a C-section. Therefore, they may also develop an infection (10).

What Are The Ideal Sex Positions After C-Section?

There are no sex positions that are off-limits after a C-section delivery. However, some women may find it difficult or have irritation of incision in certain positions, such as missionary positions. This can often be felt by mothers who had more than one C-section delivery. Some women may feel comfortable in side-lying positions and women-on-top positions after a C-section. Nevertheless, you may explore some safe sex positions after c-section delivery so it does not bother your incision (5).

Every woman and childbirth is different, so the general recommendations cannot fit all. Therefore, you may experiment to find a comfortable position. Women who had emergency C-sections and delivery complications may need more time to heal, potentially limiting the type of sex position they may choose. You may check with your healthcare provider about safe sex positions after c-section delivery to ensure proper healing and minimize any potential discomfort or complications.

剖腹产后提示有做爱吗?

Sex can be the last thing on many mothers’ minds after childbirth since caring for the newborn takes priority regardless of the mode of delivery.However, most women can naturally have a sex drive as they ovulate and adjust to the baby’s sleep and feeding schedule.

The following tips may help make sex enjoyable after C-section delivery (4).

  • Usewater-based lubricantsor prescribed estrogen creams if you have vaginal dryness.
  • Try low-intensity exercise likekegelregularly to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
  • Trycomfortable positionsthat do not hurt the incision.
  • Speak to your partnerif you feel something uncomfortable or something good.
  • Take awarm bath,have anempty bladder,or haveprescribed pain relieversif you have postpartum dyspareunia.
  • Applycold compresswith ice or frozen gel wrapped in a clean towel over the vagina if you have burning or pain after intercourse.

You may also consider nonsexual activities, such as cuddling and massages, with your partner to help maintain intimacy without the need for sex. Spending time together without the baby, such as when the baby is asleep or with the caregivers, may help some couples strengthen their bond without sexual activities.

Seek medical care for any concerns orbirth controlmeasures. Although some mothers can have natural contraception from exclusive breastfeeding, this is not 100% successful. So, you may consider other options of contraception.

If you are struggling to have an intimate relationship with your partner even after the body recovers from childbirth, check for symptoms of postpartum mental health issues, such as lack of joy and interest in life, mood swings, fatigue, and loss of appetite. You may consult a doctor for appropriate support. It is important for you to have an open communication with your partner as well as your doctor during this crucial time.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How soon after C-section can I get pregnant?

Around six months is the minimum duration after a C-section you may require before your subsequent pregnancy (6).

2. What happens to my vagina after C-section?

You may have vaginal bleeding after a C-section. It may continue for around six weeks and gradually change from red to pink, then to yellow or white colored discharge (7).

3. How do I know when my C-section is healed?

It requires around six weeks for a C-section to heal. For some, it may take longer. You can consider yourself recovering when the pain has decreased, and the C-section wound is healing effectively. Allow yourself ample rest and gradually resume regular work for complete recovery (8).

Resuming sex after C-section may not be possible before your six-week postpartum checkup. Even after the checkup, you may have to consider factors such as vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, and overall health before planning intercourse. Once you are ready to begin sexual intercourse again, you may use lubricants, comfortable positions, and cold compresses to make it more enjoyable and safe. The body changes during pregnancy and delivery may make you lose interest in sex for some time. In such cases, you may talk to your partner about it. Consult a doctor if you notice any worrying symptoms after having sex or want to know about fertility changes after a c-section.

Infographic: Useful Advice To Have Safe Sex After Cesarean Birth

As the cesarean incision heals, it’s advised to refrain from vigorous activities such as having sex during this time. However, even after the recommended time, you must be careful when getting intimate with your partner. Check out the infographic below for tips for safe sex after a C-section.

recommendations for safe sexual activity after cesarean delivery (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

Download Infographic in PDF version Download Infographic
Download Infographic in PDF version

Key Pointers

  • It is not advisable to indulge in sexual intercourse until after the sixth-week postpartum check-up.
  • There’s a risk of bleeding or infection if you are still healing from a C-section.
  • However, you may use water-based lubricants and try comfortable positions to enjoy sex after C-section.


References:

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