Sexual Intercourse

Intercourse should not be resumed until after your postpartum checkup with your healthcare provider. You should discuss resuming sex with your partner so that there will be fewer frustrations and misunderstandings. You may not be as interested in having sex as you were before pregnancy because of fatigue and the time demand by the baby. You may also have concern about pain in the area of the episiotomy or cesarean section incision.

You can expect vaginal dryness and diminished vaginal lubrication because of the hormones of pregnancy and/or breastfeeding. A water-soluble cream or jelly can solve this problem.

If you experience difficulty with sexual intercourse, always discuss it with your partner. Set aside time for each other without the baby to become reacquainted. If the problem persists, then discuss it with your healthcare professional. To prevent another pregnancy, use birth control each time you have sex.