Most women receive the same advice from their doctors about postpartum sex: after six weeks and a doctor's OK, you can start having sex again. Figuring out what is safe to do in the bedroom, however, can bring a whole new string of questions. For example, "Is it safe to do it doggy style 6 weeks after a C-section?" Ultimately, it's smart for most women postpartum to take it slow and ease back into being physical.
In an interview with Women's Health, OB-GYN Dr. Alyssa Dweck said that six weeks is the minimum amount of time women need to heal postpartum. Women who've had a C-section, however, are at a much higher risk to experience sexual struggles postpartum, according to Healthline. Additionally most women will want to take more than six weeks before resuming intercourse at all. Having rough sex or resuming intercourse too early can increase chances of infection, which means doggy style may be a position you want to wait a little longer on trying out in bed to be safe.
In general, the doggy style position often allows for less control on your part and may cause more strain and discomfort having to hold your weight in that position. As a result, the position may be less safe than other positions after a C-section to help you avoid pain.
It can be uncomfortable or even painful to lean down onto the bed or have the bed pressing against your stomach. If you still want to try a doggy style position, consider a modification Women's Health called standing doggy style. The position requires you to stand near a lower piece of furniture, like a desk or bed, and bend over with your hands on the surface of the furniture. This allows you to take strain away from your abdomen area, stretch your upper body out more, and distribute less weight on your upper body in general.
Regardless of when you're personally comfortable resuming sex again after a C-section, it's very different for each woman postpartum. There's no one size fits all manual, and if you feel up to trying doggy style six weeks postpartum, after the doctor's approval, make sure to focus on avoiding any extra strain or pressure on your abdomen. Also remember that for most new moms, six weeks still isn't enough time to jump back into bed, and that's totally OK. When you're ready, focus on taking it slow, lean into foreplay, and avoid the more uncomfortable positions, like doggy style, until you're completely healed and ready.
