You Should See A Doc Before Trying Postpartum Sex

As wonderful as pregnancy and childbirth can be, it feels really good to get your body back to yourself (unless you're breastfeeding, and then baby still owns a little bit of you.) Getting in touch with your post-baby body can stir up many different feelings: confusion, freedom, discomfort, encouragement. It's a rollercoaster, to say the least. As you start to feel like yourself again, the urges for some adult action will start stirring. But before you give into your lust and jump between the sheets, make sure you take care of the one thing you should do before having sex for the first time postpartum, because it will make a big difference in this special "first time."

Even though you have all the right tingles in all the right places, you should be cautious about postpartum sex — especially the first go round. Just because you're ready mentally, doesn't mean your body is ready, physically. As What To Expect explained, you need to wait to get the all clear on postpartum sex from your health care provider, who can check for total healing with an exam. Whether you give birth vaginally or by C-section, your body will need time to heal, according to Mayo Clinic. And allowing healing to take place will be the difference between pleasure and pain your first time back in bed.

The details of your delivery will play a big role in how quickly your body recovers from giving birth. As Parents magazine pointed out, "if you had an episiotomy or other laceration, the time it takes to heal will depend on how extensive it was and where the cutting was done." But it's not just those who had sutures who need time to recover, the muscles of the vagina and pelvic floor need time to regain strength after pushing out a baby, according to Fit Pregnancy magazine. Which means not all women are ready for sex at the often suggested six week postpartum mark.

Another factor that can stand in the way of your body's readiness to have sex after baby is vaginal dryness. As Healthline explained, the hormonal changes you go through postpartum alter the production of natural female lubrication. So you may want to have some lube close by the first time you get your groove on. Also, know that you may have to try some different position and go slow to make sure everything is feeling good, as Kid's Health suggested.

Giving your body the proper time to heal may seem like a drag when you're in the mood for some action, but getting busy too soon may cause more problems for you. Allowing your body to recover properly will not only help you avoid pain and possible complications, but also give you peace of mind that your first time back in the sack will be enjoyable for both you and your partner.