Alright folks, it’s time to have *the talk*…Think the birds + bees with a little postpartum twist. Navigating your changing body + sex life postpartum is a unique journey for everyone (yes, we did just say journey). This time in life is like no other and re-building your sex life with your partner can be daunting. Luckily, we’re here to give you the rundown on what you need to know before diving in. Here goes:
Listen to your doctor.
You cannot (and should not) have sex immediately after birth. Even once you’re home, it’s imperative that you honor the recovery process your body is undergoing. Whether you feel ready to have sex or not, please abide by your doctor’s recommendation (typically 6 weeks postpartum).
It might take longer than expected.
PSA: it’s 100% ok if you’re not ready to have sex once your cleared for it. Listening to your body and assessing your emotional capacity can (and should be) your number one priority. Your hormones will be all over the place for *a while* postpartum. You might find yourself itching to hop back on the horse or completely dreading it. Nothing is weird, trust us.
Intimacy does not equal sex.
It can be overwhelming to jump right into intercourse post-baby. If you’re not feeling quite ready to take on the whole kit and caboodle right away, we recommend setting aside time for non-sexual physical intimacy with your partner to ease back into things. Be sure to put your phones away and make time to reconnect. Emotional intimacy plays a major part in your well-being postpartum and should be prioritized. Not to mention, setting aside time to physically or mentally connect with your partner outside of sex might help increase your libido too.
Communicate with your partner.
One of the most essential aspects of intimacy postpartum is communicating with your partner honestly and openly. Understanding where the other person is coming from and what they’re comfortable with during this transition helps alleviate any pressure you might feel to jump back into your pre-baby routine. Once you know what your partner needs, you can embrace each stage more openly.
Things might feel…different.
It’s likely that sex will feel different, particularly in the beginning. Holding onto fear and anxiety will only exacerbate any discomfort you might feel so be sure to take deep breaths and relax into it. That being said, it’s important to listen to your body. Discomfort is completely normal, but be sure that you contact your doctor if you experience any extreme pain.
You *can* have sex with your baby in the room.
Of course, this is a personal decision and totally depends on what you and your partner are comfortable with. That being said, your newborn can (and will) sleep through just about anything…Our advice? You do you.
