When Can Normal Postpartum Sexual Intercourse Be Started?

Normal Postpartum Sexual Intercourse

After a while, you get used to motherhood and the baby, and your journey begins to slowly return to pre-pregnancy life. Of course, sexuality is a part of your return to your old order… Many women keep looking for answers to questions such as 'When will the vagina return to normal after normal delivery, when can I start a sexual life ' after the birth process or during pregnancy . In this article, we have compiled what you wonder about normal postpartum sexual intercourse .

When Can Normal Postpartum Sexual Intercourse Be Started?

Whether you had a normal delivery or a cesarean delivery, your body needs to recover after delivery. In this recovery process, which we call puerperium; The cervix closes and slowly begins to return to its original state. If any, your episiotomy stitches will heal and your bleeding will decrease day by day. Bleeding color gradually clears and continues for a while in the form of a discharge. Since having sexual intercourse during bleeding will increase the risk of infection, it is necessary to stay away from sexual intercourse until the bleeding stops. If there is no problem in your doctor's examination after 6 weeks, you can start sex again.

Apart from medical conditions, another criterion for resuming sexual life after childbirth is whether you are ready or not. Some women feel sexual desire within a few weeks, while others may not feel sexual desire for months. If you don't feel ready either, take your time and share the situation with your partner.

Now, let's look at the answers to the most frequently asked questions after birth...

Will it hurt in the first relationship?

One of the issues that are wondered after normal birth is whether there will be pain after the first intercourse. If you have an episiotomy stitch and you have started sexual intercourse before the specified time, you may feel pain. But if you allow your body to recover, pain or suffering is not expected. If you feel pain, you should be examined again to identify the underlying problem.

Will my vagina loosen?

After birth, of course, there may be some enlargement. However, the vagina is a flexible tissue and will recover as much as possible after delivery. You can support the recovery process by doing kegel exercises.

Will I Experience Vaginal Dryness?

Estrogen, also known as the female hormone, quickly decreases to its lowest levels after childbirth. It is very normal to experience vaginal dryness with decreased estrogen. Not every woman experiences this situation, but if it happens to you, you can use the lubricant products recommended by your gynecologist.

Will My Genital Area's Appearance Be Distorted?

After giving birth, especially women who have episiotomy stitches are very worried that the appearance of their genital area will deteriorate. However, the vagina has a cheeky texture, so to speak, and its healing is faster than almost all of our organs. Your genitals, which look edematous, dark in color and a little different than usual right after birth, almost return to their original state after about 4-6 weeks. If the episiotomy is meticulously sutured, it can only be noticed if you look very closely. Darkness may remain in some women as a result of personal differences, but this is rare.

When Should I Go to the Doctor?

Even if you do not have any complaints, you should definitely go to your obstetrician for a check-up 1 week after giving birth. After this first control, you should go at regular intervals and see if your uterus is getting smaller. Regardless of these regular checks; If there is swelling, excessive pain/burning, discharge or bad odor in the episiotomy area, fever or chills, you should consult your doctor without delay.

Which Conservation Method Should Be Preferred After Birth?

After birth, you can be protected with many methods of contraception such as monthly injections, implants in the arm, birth control pills and intrauterine devices. If you are not going to have a child again, you can also choose the method of connecting the tubes, which is difficult and costly to return. If you are going to use birth control pills, you should not use estrogen-based ones. Estrogen is known to have a negative effect on breast milk. The best thing would be to decide with your gynecologist when you go for control.