Here's the thing: childbirth affects a body in many ways, and this will vary based on the particulars of the birth. For many women, even the body's orgasmic response is altered by delivery. With this in mind, you might wonder, does a natural birth change my orgasm in a way that's different from a medicated birth? The answer is not so simple.
First, it's important to acknowledge the ways vaginal delivery, both medicated and unmedicated, impacts orgasm. Unfortunately, even this straightforward analysis is difficult to discuss. According to a 2016 study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, studies about the correlation between delivery method and postpartum orgasmic function have produced irregular results. The many factors that make one delivery different from the next, including episiotomies, makes gathering conclusive data tricky.
That said, medicated and unmedicated childbirth can affect the body in different ways. The hormones associated with unmedicated birth may loosen the pelvic floor muscles naturally, and potentially make the recovery process take longer, as noted by BabyGaga. (This is all supposition). And according to the Association for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support, strong pelvic floor muscles are needed for more intense orgasms. That said, most women experience some loss of control in the pelvic floor following childbirth, so it's difficult to say whether women who undergo unmedicated delivery experience greater trouble with orgasm than their medicated delivery counterparts.
Basically, there are many factors that influence your decision about medicated or unmedicated vaginal delivery. (Sometimes, of course, the decision is out of your hands entirely if complications arise). But, with the data that is currently available, it's difficult to say whether your sexual response will be helped or hindered one way or another. If you're concerned about loss of orgasmic response, then a chat with your physician may provide individual insight into your situation.
In the meantime, there's something most every person can use to boost orgasmic response: pelvic floor exercises. If you aren't already hip to the idea, learning how to do Kegel exercises could be a game-changer. It's one exercise you can do anywhere, any time.
