Life
Congratulations! You've just given birth to a perfect bundle of joy. Your body is different, your schedule is different, you're trying to function on minimal sleep, and you're learning how to take care of another human? Wait, it gets better. Remember sex? That thing you used to like doing so much and that, in fact, got you said baby? Well, there are some sucky things about sex after childbirth that may make you hesitant to jump back in bed (no matter how horny you may be.)
If you thought you had mastered the deed before you had your baby, think again. Once you and your vagina have endured childbirth, it's no longer "business as usual" when it comes t banging boots. And it won't be for a while. You're just getting used to you postpartum body, and throwing sex into the mix may feel like the very last thing you want to do at times. Things can feel pretty uncomfortable, even painful, for a few months after giving birth to your new bundle of joy and whether you're raring to go or not feeling it at all, there are a few things you should know before you take a proverbial roll in the hay most pregnancy.
1
Your Partner Is Ready, & You're Not
Let's be honest — sex hasn't been the same since you peed on the stick. So after giving birth, your partner is going to want you but you may have absolutely no sex drive. You should in no way feel obligated to f*ck if you're not ready, but you can easily find some non-sexual ways to be intimate with your partner, so they know you're still into them.
2
Or, You Can't Wait
In some cases, new moms are ready to get it on almost immediately. But rying to have sex too soon after giving birth can delay healing and may be really painful for you. If you really can't wait to get down with your SO, speak to your health care provider about safe ways to have sex after baby.
3
It's A Desert Down There
You may want to stock up on lube prior to post-baby sex. OB-GYN Elizabeth Pryor told Parents that "the most common vaginal side effects of decreased estrogen are dryness and a 'pins and needles' feeling during intercourse. To combat the pain, she suggests using "lubricants to help protect the tissues and minimize the discomfort of vaginal dryness."
4
Leaky Boobs
Whether you've chosen to breastfeed or not, your body will produce milk for the first few days after giving birth. After that, if you're breastfeeding, it will stick around and probably make appearance an inopportune moments. Though sore, leaky boobs aren't fun for anyone, it gets better with time as you learn the triggers for let down and as your supply lessens.
5
It Doesn't Feel Like It Used To
Sex can be downright painful after giving birth, especially if you had a complicated labor. The most important thing to remember is that with time things will get better. Ease yourself into it- invest in some candles, new lingerie and lube- and with a little experimenting you'll be back at it in no time.
6
Your Body Is Different
Though you no longer have a huge baby bump, things definitely aren't the way they were before you got pregnant. Many women struggle with body image after giving birth. If you're one of them, remember that your partner looks beyond the stretch marks and loose tummy, and you should too. Remember what your body created, and rock your new appearance.
7
It's Not Just the Two of You Anymore
Perhaps the most tricky thing about postpartum sex is the practical aspect. You can't just "get it on" whenever the mood strikes; there's a baby to think about. Luckily, newborns sleep a lot, and with a little planning (as unromantic as that sounds) and foresight, sex doesn't have to be a thing of the past.
Images: MarinaAguiar/Flickr; Giphy (4); WiffleGif (3)
