Life

What Doctors Want You To Know About Doggy Style After An Episiotomy

by Tessa Shull

Most women are given the OK from their doctor to resume sex six weeks postpartum. Concerns surrounding what exactly is considered safe regarding sex positions, however, may still come to mind, especially if you've had an episiotomy. For example, is it safe to do it doggy style six weeks after an episiotomy? To play it safe, it's actually better if you ease back into sex and save the bolder moves for later – primarily because they can be much harder on healing and the vagina in general.

If you're unsure whether you've had an episiotomy or what it is, Mayo Clinic defined it as an incision made between the vagina and anus to assist with birth. Although it was historically a common procedure that doctors believed helped reduce the risk of tearing, modern studies show it doesn't really have an impact and in fact can be more harmful than tearing naturally. Additionally, it may even create a higher risk of infection. Luckily, according to Baby Center, an episiotomy is much more rare and generally only used when a baby may be very large or if medically necessary. Because it may cause you to be more sore postpartum, sex can seem daunting, and it's a good idea to consider what may be safest starting out.

In a Baby Center article written by OB-GYN Dr. Laura McKain, she shared that it's important to wait at least six weeks postpartum before any intercourse. Because women who've had an episiotomy may have a higher chance of infection, however, it's vital that your vagina and perineum have healed enough that you're not at risk of reopening the tear, pain, or infection. And this may be much longer than six weeks, honestly. Additionally, the aforementioned Mayo Clinic article noted that for many women, an episiotomy can create pain during sex even months after delivery.

Taking the extra pain, discomfort, and potential infection risks into consideration, starting off with a much more laid back sex position is safest six weeks postpartum. Because the doggy style position also means you have less control and your partner is able to penetrate deeper, this position can leave more room for painful thrusts or uncontrolled discomfort. If you reach a point where you're not feeling discomfort during sex, that's a much better time to consider transitioning into doggy style or a similar position.

Even when you feel healed and discomfort has subsided, you may want to consider transitioning to doggy style first with a gentler version. One way you can start the transition into doggy style is with a position called doggy pillow. Women's Day shared that moms who've torn or had an episiotomy can often feel a pinching in their scar tissue. To relieve pressure and make sure you're able to have more control, place a stack of pillows under your stomach for support, and they should help reduce soreness or pinching feelings around the perineum.

If you've had an episiotomy, you really want to take your time easing back into sex after birth. Although it's important to remember every woman is different after birth, when you've had tears, cuts, and stitches, it's best to play it safe. Avoiding the extra risk of pain, tearing, or infection is worth starting out slow and waiting until you're 100 percent certain doggy style is a position you're ready for.