Life

iordani/Fotolia

Will My Boobs Leak During Sex After Birth? You Might Want To Grab A Towel

Sex during pregnancy may have been difficult, so sex after giving birth should be pretty easy, right? Of course the first time may be overwhelming and scary, but eventually, won't it all go back to normal? I mean, there's no baby in your belly anymore and you're all healed up — you would think things would be easy. And then you remember that your boobs are now full of breast milk and you start wondering, "will my boobs leak during sex after birth?" Oy. Motherhood.

Even if you aren't breastfeeding, you may be worried about milk leaking from your breasts while you're in the middle of sex. It sounds bizarre (and it kind of is), but it's totally normal. According to Baby Center, this happens because oxytocin, the hormone responsible for your milk's let-down, is also present when you orgasm and causes the uterine contractions as you cum. That one hormone is pulling double duty, which is why your breasts can take on both roles in sex — milk machines and erogenous zones.

But that doesn't mean it's a problem or that you can't have sex. According to Parents, it often helps to not have your breasts stimulated, so implement a "look, but don't touch" policy for your partner if you're really concerned about spraying milk all over the place or feel uncomfortable. (Your breasts may also be swollen and tender, so having them leak may be the least of your worries when they are touched.)

Today's Parent noted that the early weeks of postpartum life are when you're most susceptible to leaking milk during sex, but it can occur at any time. Grab a few towels for the bedroom to mop it up if it doesn't bother you, but you can also try hand expressing some milk or feeding your baby before sex to help cut down on the amount of milk being released. John Mayer said it best — "your body is a wonderland". (But maybe no one will be using their hands until you slip a breast pad into your lingerie.)