Was having sex for the first time after giving birth painful?

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Some women find it uncomfortable to start having sex again after giving birth, they may experience vaginal soreness and exhaustion. Whether they're in a good mood or feel as if intimacy is the last thing on their mind.

1. After giving birth, how long can you have sex?

Although you don't have to wait to have sex again after giving birth. But health experts recommend waiting until you can have the best sex after giving birth.
According to medical experts, 4-6 weeks after giving birth, regardless of birth method, you can have sex again. Why wait 4-6 weeks? Because the risk of postpartum complications is highest within the first 2 weeks after birth.
Waiting will also give a woman's body time to heal the wounds encountered during childbirth. In addition to postpartum discharge and vaginal tearing, women may experience fatigue, vaginal dryness, pain, and decreased sex drive. For women who have a vaginal tear that requires surgery, it is necessary to wait until the wound heals.

2. Was the first time having sex after giving birth painful?

Some women find it uncomfortable to start having sex again after having a baby. If you had an episiotomy or a vaginal tear, the site of the injury can be uncomfortable for several weeks or even months after delivery.
You will have to wait until the wound is completely healed before having sex again, usually six weeks for the wound to heal. Even if you're ready to have intercourse, try a position that allows you to control the depth of penetration, for example the woman-on or side-by-side position.
Many women feel pain during sex for months after giving birth. When pain becomes chronic, it is usually due to problems in the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles extend from the pubic bone to the tailbone. They support your bladder, bowels, and uterus. It helps you control urine, bowel movements and sexual function.
Women may encounter some other problems that affect the relationship after giving birth. Especially for women who are breastfeeding, low estrogen levels in the postpartum period can make vaginal tissue thinner and drier. This makes intercourse more difficult and women may experience more pain.

Some remedies to help reduce discomfort during sex after childbirth include:
Find pain relief: you can take steps to relieve pain before sex, such as taking a warm bath , take over-the-counter pain relievers. If you feel a burning sensation after sex, wrap the ice in a small towel and apply it to the area. If you have persistent pain that is usually caused by a problem with your pelvic floor muscles, in which case you should see a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic rehabilitation. Your doctor can evaluate your pelvic floor muscles and determine if they are contributing to your symptoms. If the exact cause of the pain is a pelvic floor muscle problem, your doctor can target the muscles and connective tissue to release trigger points and ease restrictions on therapy sessions. Your doctor will also show you exercises at home to help relax tense muscles and strengthen weak ones. Use lubricants: During breastfeeding, low estrogen levels make vaginal tissue thinner and drier. This makes intercourse difficult, use a water-soluble lubricant to reduce discomfort. Avoid using oil-based lubricants such as petroleum products, especially if you are using a condom, which can cause the condom to tear. If vaginal dryness is severe, your doctor may suggest that you use a vaginal estrogen cream to restore tissue to normal. Experiment: talk to your partner about alternatives to vaginal intercourse. Such as massage, oral sex, etc. Tell your partner what makes you feel good and what makes you uncomfortable during sex. Make time for each other: make time for sex when you're not too tired or nervous.

3. What is the difference between having sex after giving birth and having sex before giving birth?

Pregnancy, labor, and vaginal delivery can stretch or injure the pelvic floor muscles, which support the uterus, bladder, small intestine, and rectum. When these muscles are weak, it will reduce orgasm during sex.
To tone your pelvic floor muscles, try Kegel exercises. To perform this exercise, imagine yourself sitting on a marble and squeezing your pelvic muscles as if you were lifting the marble. Try doing this for three seconds at a time, then relax for about 3 seconds. Exercise 10-15 times in a row and at least three times a day.
Women who are breastfeeding often feel discomfort when leaking milk during sex. Wearing a bra with nursing pads or keeping an absorbent towel nearby can help ease this discomfort.

4. Contraceptive measures when having sex after giving birth

Sex after giving birth requires a reliable method of contraception. Within the first 6 months after giving birth, if breastfeeding is complete and has not returned, it can protect you about 98% from pregnancy. However, research shows that the contraceptive effectiveness of breastfeeding varies.
To reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and other health problems, you should wait at least 18-24 months before getting pregnant again. Doctors recommend thinking about your desire to have more children and how long you'll be pregnant before you give birth.
Contraceptives you can use during sex after giving birth include:
Contraceptive implants : such as Etonogestrel (Nexplanon) Copper or hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs). Birth control pills contain only progestin. Birth control methods that contain both estrogen and progestin, such as the combined oral contraceptive pill, increase the risk of blood clots forming soon after delivery. For healthy women, combination oral contraceptives and other combined hormonal birth control methods can be started one month after childbirth.
Although birth control methods that contain both estrogen and progestin have long been thought to decrease a nursing woman's milk supply, recent studies suggest this is not true. You can talk to your doctor during your postpartum visits about birth control options.

5. What if you are not interested in sex?

If you're not interested or you're afraid sex will hurt, talk to your partner. Until you're ready to have sex, maintain intimacy with your partner.
Spend certain amounts of time together without the baby, even if it's just a few minutes in the morning and when the baby sleeps. Find other ways to show affection, there's more to intimacy than sex, especially as you're adjusting to a new life with a new baby.
If you're still having trouble having sex after giving birth, be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of postpartum depression. Such as severe mood swings, loss of appetite, fatigue and lack of joy in life. If you think you may have postpartum depression, see a psychologist or psychologist for early treatment to speed up recovery.

Many women may experience pain when having sex again after childbirth. There are many different causes of this condition, some of which you can improve on your own. However, if there are problems that you cannot improve on your own, you should seek advice and help from qualified doctors to avoid affecting your health and marital life.
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Reference source: babycenter.com, insider.com