Time Between C-section and Sex?

Updated on March 27, 2011
C.R. asks from Birmingham, AL
14 answers

I know it's suggested to wait six weeks after giving birth to have intercourse. But I also realize most women don't wait that long. I recently had my third c-section; the first two times it was about five weeks post-partum when my husband and I resumed relations. How long did you wait after your c-section? Do you know of any medical reason to wait the full six weeks?

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M.H.

answers from Raleigh on

I think we were 3 weeks before we were doing it again. As long as there isn't a vaginal birth, my doctor told me there was no reason we could be having sex.

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P.M.

answers from Tampa on

The medical reason is because you had your core muscles that keep your body upright sliced and stretched apart... then sewn back together. Your organs were also rearranged - because once penetrated, there is no way of getting back to the original formation. That isn't reason enough? I'm a nurse and I've seen 6 cesareans - - they are not a simple nor easy surgery. I cringed each time I saw a cesarean... yet didn't flinch at all for a leg amputation, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm surgery nor for a knee replacement (lots of bone pieces flying everywhere).

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M.J.

answers from Dover on

I didn't wait anywhere near the 6 weeks my doctor advised either after my c-section, or my natural delivery. 2 weeks after natural & closer to 3 weeks after the c. Vaginally you're fine after a c-section, obviously so the main concern is the incision. We were very careful, took it slow & gentle. Doctors err on the side of caution which makes sense of course, but you know your own body better than anyone so I'd say do what feels right. If it hurts, stop. It's not rocket science, it's sex! lol!

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T.B.

answers from Miami on

Your doctor has to give the all clear. Every woman is different, as is her healing. I've also had 3 c-sections and I can tell you that intimate relations was the last thing on my mind. It was months before we resumed anything remotely intimate. Like I said, every woman is different.

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M.P.

answers from Lafayette on

i was single when i had my c-section. however, i started taking care of myself about a week and a half after my section. i needed some stress relief (my daughter was in teh nicu) and i didn't know what else to do, since i couldn't smoke, i decided to do that.

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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I'm not sure what the medical reason is, but it's also how you feel (physically). I had a vaginal delivery, c-sec, and then vbac and waited at least 8 weeks every time. I was just not ready physically!

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C.K.

answers from San Antonio on

I waited 2 weeks, but I know someone who had sex 3 days after her c-section. I think it just depends on what you are comfortable with.

The important thing to remember is that the incision is not just skin deep, but goes all the way through. A nurse told me it's not that sex is a no-no, doctors just don't want any pulling or tearing of the incision inside because damage cannot be seen like it can on the top layer of skin. She told me sex is fine, but basically, don't get too wild :-)

J.G.

answers from San Antonio on

I think we waited 5 weeks too. I would have rather waited another 5 weeks due to my sheer exhaustion and abdominal muscles still not 100%, but husband was rearing to go. I don't think "6 weeks" is some magical number. 5 might be okay, but 2 weeks, 3 weeks? Doesn't sound like a lot of time for the body to heal.

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M.M.

answers from Bellingham on

Honestly, I still couldn't move well enough w/out pain before 6 weeks. I waited 8 weeks, but was told it was "ok" at 6 weeks. I waited because I had a minor infection in the top layer of the incision. I probably could have done it before since it was just skin deep, but man, it hurt. I really wouldn't do it before 6 weeks. C-sections are MAJOR surgery, and you don't know if everything in there is totally healed at that point. The outside may look ok, but like other posters said, you can't see the inside to know.

L.U.

answers from Seattle on

I think I waited about 5-6 weeks for this last birth, my second C-section. But, that just means we got it on .....then we waited (or I waited) again for another week or so. My daughter is 11 weeks, and I think we are having sex once every 10 days or so.
L.

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S.S.

answers from New York on

We waited about four weeks.

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S.S.

answers from Daytona Beach on

i waited until the bleeding slacked a little. maybe about 3 wks.

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L.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

My doc said NONE for 8 weeks...hubby and I 'missed' eachother (especially when he had to take one for the team when I was 9 months along) and dove in(half way) after 5 weeks....it literally lasted about 3 minutes for both of us.
Medical reasons is because of you had major sugery, you can tear some of those 'internal' stitches because they take longer to heal....All docs will tell you not to do it...but if you feel good and are moving around ok, you can try.
my suggestion is if you are going to do this...you try not to move and dont have any deep or kinky stuff..just soft, slow, (and we only did half way in)
so funny is I STILL remember that night (all 3 mins) it was great!!! LOL

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K.R.

answers from Detroit on

we attempted at about 5 weeks.. it hurt for me so we waited another week tried again and it was better...I would wait the full 6 weeks but that's me. It is a major surgery and I'm not extremely risky when it comes to important body parts being healed properly.

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