After giving birth, either naturally or by cesarean section, it is normal for new parents to focus entirely on the baby. However, as time passes, it is customary to want to rebuild the intimate life of the couple and have sex. Some want to start earlier, and those who do it later, either because the woman is not quite well physically or because emotionally she does not have much desire due to fatigue, the time that the baby occupies, etc. One of the questions that often comes to mind for new parents is when they can resume sexual intercourse after childbirth. It must be taken into account that the woman has undergone a significant change in her interior and genital area, so particular care times must be respected. In this FastlyHealarticle, we answer when I can have intercourse after childbirth.
Table of Contents
What is quarantine
First, we must know the term quarantine, known clinically as the puerperium. It refers to the postpartum period, and although it is called that because it usually lasts 40 days, the truth is that, in reality, a woman’s body takes much longer to return to its natural state. The quarantine usually lasts between 6 and 8 weeks.
The woman’s body changes in this period, but so does her emotional state. The body recovers from the changes of pregnancy and the birthing process, and that is why during this stage, it is essential to take certain precautions. Some of the changes that a woman’s body can undergo are:
- The appearance of lochia. They are small blood clots that are passed vaginally. They are the remains of blood and tissues that remain inside the uterus. They appear just after giving birth but usually disappear after a month or month and a little. The following article explains whether it is customary to bleed after quarantine.
- Tiredness and fatigue It is normal for the woman to feel more tired than usual due to the hormonal change, the loss of blood that could have caused slight anemia, and added to the care of the baby that involves sleeping a few hours.
- Emotional changes. The hormones have been changing throughout the pregnancy, and now they do not stop, so the dynamic modifications will also be intense. It is normal to feel vulnerable or sad.
- Hair loss Hormonal changes can also cause more hair loss than usual, but don’t panic; it’s completely normal.
- It is usual for a woman not to feel emotionally ready or want to resume sexual intercourse during this postpartum period. Or maybe the area is still a bit sore from the delivery.
The puerperium will be the same when the delivery has been by cesarean section. However, it will entail more care, especially initially, since the woman will need rest and even hospitalization for a few days. In addition, it must be borne in mind that it is still a surgical intervention, so the opening will have to heal and heal.
When to resume relationships after childbirth
Some couples will want to start having relationships after childbirth. However, it is expected that many women do not feel like they have the desire or the physical and emotional state for it. This is completely normal due to the whole process of change that has occurred in your organism and your body and the hormonal change they have been going through. It must also be added that the baby will occupy most of the time, not only because of the care he needs but because it is normal for parents to feel very attached to the baby, and at first, all attention is focused on it.
The resumption of sexual intercourse after childbirth largely depends on the condition of the woman who has just given birth. Even if the couple wants to resume intimate relationships, first, it is necessary to consider the mother’s condition and give her the time she needs.
However, a period has also been established that should be respected. You should wait at least a month and a half to have sex after giving birth, about six weeks. However, some recommend waiting until the quarantine has ended, from 6 to 8 weeks.
After the month, in week 5, it is expected that the woman already wants to resume intimate relationships, and the hormones in her body are revolutionized. As it will coincide with the first visit to the doctor after childbirth, he will be the one who will give you the green light to resume relationships if everything is in order. It is essential to wait for the doctor’s first visit and, if not, a reasonable time of 6 weeks.
When can I have intercourse after a cesarean section?
In the case of a cesarean section, you have to count on the scar that is healing. In this case, it is also prudent to wait a month and a half, but it is much more critical since the points could jump if you have intimate relationships before time.
However, it is advisable to wait until at least the lochia have finished since these blood clots are cleaning the uterus of the remains of tissue and blood.
Waiting times are mainly due to the uterus and cervix undergoing significant changes during labor and taking time to return to their natural state. During this time, the lining of the uterus where the placenta is located is more susceptible to infection. Therefore, having sex too soon could cause an infection due to the introduction of bacteria. Also, relationships too early could cause some tears.
When can I get pregnant again?
If, in addition to sexual intercourse, you want to get a new pregnancy, the time is a little longer.
It should be borne in mind that menstruation will take time to return after childbirth since ovulation does not occur, and this will happen for a longer time if the woman breastfeeds. In this case, the rule may take longer to appear. However, it does not mean that a woman cannot get pregnant again, and, contrary to popular belief, during breastfeeding, a woman can become pregnant if the feedings are more than six hours apart or do not last for six months. Therefore, certain precautions must be taken when intimate relationships are resumed.
Therefore, a prudential waiting time of a year and a half has been established to get pregnant again. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) lengthens it to two years to avoid the most significant number of risks.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Can I have sex after childbirth? We recommend that you enter our Pregnancy and baby health category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.