Sexual Health
How to improve the quality of postpartum sexual life? Be careful not to rush into sexual activity after childbirth
Q: It's been almost six months since giving birth, and we haven't had sex since we got pregnant. When we had sex with our husband for the first time after giving birth, we were very excited, but after that, we became less passionate and the quality was not as good as before. Is it really because of childbirth that my vagina relaxes? How can I improve the quality of postpartum sexual life?
Answer: Many couples experience a decrease in the quality of sexual life after childbirth, which is related to many factors. In fact, there are many requirements for postpartum sexual activity, and it is important to be clear how and when to do it. As for how to improve postpartum sexual activity, there are actually skills.
Seize the timing of sexual activity
As long as both you and your husband feel it's appropriate. Chinese doctors usually advise you to wait until 42 days (6 weeks) postpartum for a check-up before resuming sexual activity.
However, some people suggest trying to resume sexual activity before the 42 day examination, so that if you encounter problems, you can consult a doctor during the examination. Some couples resume sexual activity within one month after giving birth, while more people resume sexual activity between 1-3 months after giving birth. However, there are also very few people who wait until 6 months or even 1 year after giving birth before recovering. There is no specific time standard for how long it takes to resume sexual activity after childbirth.
Do not rush to start postpartum sexual activity
Due to various reasons, new mothers may feel reluctant or uninterested in postpartum sex. The most direct cause is the pain caused by lateral episiotomy and suturing of the perineum. Even if you have not undergone a lateral incision and there are no torn wounds, the perineal area may feel scratched and very sensitive for a period of time. So before resuming sexual activity, the wound should be allowed to heal and the suture should be absorbed.
Additionally, an insurmountable factor is postpartum fatigue. Taking care of babies 24 hours a day is a laborious and demanding task, so as soon as you go to bed, you just want to sleep. Your feelings about your body may also affect your emotions. After experiencing too many changes during pregnancy and childbirth, you need time to regain your feelings about yourself. Many mothers say that their sexual desire during this period is poor, just because they feel that they are not sexy enough.
Practical Tips for Improving Postpartum Sexual Life
By using some sexual assistance techniques, the quality of sexual life can be greatly improved, which is the key to making postpartum sexual life more passionate. It is essential for parents to learn it well!
1. Using lubricants
If your perineal area is very sensitive, using lubricants is helpful and can alleviate the vaginal dryness that many mothers experience during this period.
2. Don't rush to have sex
The first time you feel 'sexually interested', you don't necessarily have to have sex. At first, consider just hugging, which may be easier to achieve, and then gradually adapt to sexual touch.
3. Crazy during the day
When you start having sex, choose a position that won't overly compress your sensitive parts. If fatigue is your biggest problem, try having sex while the baby is taking a nap during the day, so that you won't be too tired to put in.
4. Postpartum requires vaginal contractions
Restoring the elasticity of vaginal muscles can be done by practicing pelvic floor muscles and participating in some postpartum fitness classes, which can help restore body shape and increase your confidence. In addition, Durex's vaginal contractions can also be used, which can effectively help postpartum women restore a tight vagina and restore sexual activity as usual.
In short, eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Rest anytime you can. Taking care of a newborn baby is very tiring. If you want to have the energy to do other things, you need to take good care of yourself.
Pay attention when starting postpartum sexual activity
If you are already very careful during sexual intercourse, your movements are gentle, and your preparation time is long enough, but you still feel pain, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Sometimes the suture method of tearing or lateral episiotomy may cause long-term discomfort and may require further surgical correction. If your vaginal secretions have a strange odor, you may have an infection and need treatment. If you still have vaginal bleeding after 4 weeks, or if the amount of bleeding suddenly increases, you should see a doctor.