Sex After Childbirth - How Long Did You Wait?

3 weeks was the wait time my OB gave me. And darned if I didnt get pregnant again practically right away!

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I realize I'm in the minority, but it was about 2 weeks after each of my two babies (c-section births).

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3-4 weeks with each child....Natural births with all(4) of them,no tear ,fast labors ,no complication.
Hope this help.
N.

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My midwife told me to wait until I had had 3 days with no bleeding to make sure that the placental site was completely healed. After that, whenever I was ready.

With my first, it was 9 months, but that wasn't because I wasn't ready -- it was because my I was in the process of a divorce, and wasn't emotionally ready for a relationship.

With my second and third, it was about 2-3 weeks. Both were natural births with no complications or tearing, and I tend not to bleed a lot from childbirth.

8 weeks - had the okay at my 6 week checkup but I was healing from a pretty bad episiotomy and wasn't feeling up to it

I was the same as you with my first - a pretty serious set of stitches and I was really sore for quite some time. It took months before I could even have sex and many months after that before it was 'fun' again. I am currently pregnant with number 2 and I am nervous about the damage that could be waiting for me afterwards but its nice to hear that it was a bit less for baby number 2 with you. I think even of I was feeling good though before the 6 week wait I would still be inclined to wait just because you never know - you could be setting yourself up for more problems by not waiting. What if you tear more or if you cause an infection?
Good Luck

I've waited the 6 weeks after all my deliveries, and I didn't even deliver vaginally.

Oh gosh. I can't remember but I do know it was long after the 6 weeks had passed both times.
I did however get my 'desire to' back way sooner after my 2nd.
HTH!
ETA: Had an episiotomy w/ my 1st. Tore w/ my 2nd.

With my first I think it was 4-5 weeks. Second it was only a little after 2 weeks. Both were c-sections though. With this next one I don't think we will be having sex for a few years. I can't imagine having the time with 3 kids!

6 weeks. I got the ok from the doctor at my postnatal appt. and two day latter I got married so yeah I was going to have sex on my wedding night.

I really can't remember exactly but I think with each of my 3 I waited at least 6 weeks with each. I was hardly in the mood before that even if my body would have been! lol

All 3 times we had the 6 week post partum celebratory sex. He was awaitin' my arrival home from the 6 week appointment. We both felt excited to get back to the intimate time.

Good luck and best wishes!! Congrats on baby #3...this is an exciting time for your family.

Yes I waited until I went back to the doctor for my checkup so that I could be put back on birth control. I love sex but didnt need it that bad. I didnt want to risk getting pregnant again! I had been looking forward to getting my body back and making plans. Wasnt about to risk missing out on all that just because I was horny. With each pregnancy, yes I waited.

It was 8 or 9 weeks. I tore pretty badly. I think I've heard the doctors recommend 6 weeks no matter what, just to be safe. If your doc says sooner is OK, then go for it!

My OB said: Whenever you feel like it. Go slow, and you'll know if it's too soon.

I had no tearing and no episiotomy. I happened to feel like it just a few weeks in. So that's what I did. And she was right. First time was a few days too soon. So it got called off. A few days later, :D :D :D

It's been different with all 6 of mine. My rule of thumb is wait only as long as you feel necessary. Doctors recommend 6 weeks postpartum. Sometimes I've needed every one of those days (plus a few more). Others, I was ready a couple of weeks earlier than that. Trust your body to know what is right.

Hi,

I waited for 9 weeks for my 1st baby, 8 weeks for my 2nd child and am pregnant with our third. I think if you feel ok, you could probably have sex when you feel better. Take it slow though....its rough the first several times.

M

What ever you decide....just remember not to take ANY chances or you will be pregnant again. You are so fertile right after you have a baby. I know...my first two are very close and we only slipped up one time.

No sex for 6 weeks rule was born out of the desire for physicians to get a woman on birth control at the 6 week postpartum check up before she resumed sexual activity in order to prevent pregnancy. As long as your episiotomy/vaginal tear is healing and not causing pain and you aren't having signs of infection of the uterus (smelly discharge or abdominal pain), there's really not much risk. BE SURE YOU USE CONTRACEPTION EVERY TIME though because I've had too many women have a positive pregnancy test at the 6 week check up. A condom is a good choice especially if you are still bleeding lightly and have risk of infection. Another pregnancy so soon is at great risk of miscarriage and pregnancy complications as well as being a really hard on a woman's body and sanity. Nurse Midwife Mom of 3

I don't think it's about the tearing so much as the risk of infection.
You had something huge come out, you don't need something going back in for a while.

That's what my doctors told me about resuming intercourse. Even if you weren't in a lot of pain, it was for infection and bacteria purposes.

Not to mention the risk of another pregnancy.
I know people who didn't wait 6 weeks and they have kids less than 11 months apart.
My grandmother got pregnant with my father immediately after my uncle was born. They were basically raised as twins.
Same thing with a girl I work with.
They didn't think they could get pregnant so soon.

Let your body heal. Don't do anything that hurts you.
I understand having desire for your husband, but give your hoo-hah a break.
That's just my opinion.

I only waited 2 weeks-for all 3 of my kids. I was and still am just fine!

I had three c-sections, so I had to wait the 6-8 weeks. Sorry I can't be much help!

One stitch, almost no tearing with my first. I think we waited 4 or 4 1/2 weeks.

With my second, I had the same, almost no tearing, one stitch. We waited around the same amount of time, maybe a little less time.

With my third, I had no tearing, no stitches, and I wanted sex the day I left the hospital. I didn't tell my husband that and still had to talk him into resuming that at about 3 or 3 1/2 weeks. This last time we actually used condoms since I wasn't back on birth control until my 6 week appointment.

My doctor always said to wait 6, but that if I felt ready sooner and had no pain it was fine. I think you are supposed to wait for the bright red bleeding to stop since your uterus is just so exposed after delivery, but otherwise it is more a matter of when you are comfortable.

I waited the full 6 to 8 weeks with all of my kids. I wasn't ready to have sex again and made sure that my husband knew that the doctor said I had to wait! The first time after the kids was always kind of different, slow down, where's the lube, wait! I only had two small tears with my first (2 stitches), but I was a single mom so it was a while before I had relations again. With my second two they were both C-sections, but I still waited!
Laura