Sex After A C-Section – Can We Do it Yet?
It’s hard to pin down exactly when it’s a good time to have sex after a c-section, however most practitioners will suggest about six weeks after giving birth.
Do you need to stick hard and fast to that rule? I think you should, but not everyone does. A good rule of thumb however, is that you should give yourself ample time to recover.
Your body has been through the trauma of surgery, and even though six weeks may seem like a long time, it will be even longer if you injure or hurt yourself unnecessarily.
So what are the implications of having sex too soon?
Sex after a C-Section can hurt.
Many women often don’t understand why it hurts to have sex, after all, the baby didn’t pass through the birth canal, why should it hurt in that area?
Your uterus is attached to your cervix and your cervix is attached to your vaginal canal so the pulling and tugging that can occur during sex affects those areas and causes pain. Combine that with not having had sex for a few weeks and you can feel some discomfort.
You may have some bleeding.
Doctors are especially concerned with bleeding that might occur during sex. Sexual activity may cause your incision to break open increasing the chance of infection, but doctor’s also worry about bleeding that might occur on the inside from your healing uterus.
Also keep in mind that you’ve just had surgery and your body is still recovering, not only from the C-section, but also from all the hormones that’s have been surging through your blood stream. These hormones may cause some dryness in the vaginal area which can also cause pain during intercourse.
It’s important to get the ‘go ahead’ from your doctor. But even then, there are some precautions to look out for. For example, be gentle during sex because the site of the incision is still tender. In fact, I’d recommend having safe sex after your C-section, and I don’t mean being safe from getting pregnant, I mean safe for your body.
Post c-section recovery exercise is another way to help condition and strengthen your pelvic area.
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wow…
it’s really hard to have sex after c-section
I just know about from the article above
Hmm…in my country, especially the celebs, almost of them birth their child in c-section. c-section is very expensive in here
we had sex after 1 week .Will it cause any harm.please suggest
Hi Tina, It could cause problems but if you are feeling OK, it’s probably fine. Remember you have both internal as well as external stitches and it’s the internal ones that you don’t want to break open. I’d try to take it easy for awhile and if you have any unusual bleeding or pain, let your doctor know
I HAD A BABY ABOUT 5 WEEKS AGO. AT 4 AND A HALF WEEKS I HAD SEX WITH MY BOYFRIEND. THINK IT WAS A BAD IDEA FROM THE START BUT HE INSISTED IT WOULD BE FINE. MY DOC SAID WAIT 6 WEEKS. I HAD A PREVIOUS INFECTION AT THE SITE OF THE WOUND, BUT HAVE HEALED FROM THAT SOMEWHAT. WELL MY BLEEDING HAD MOSTLY SUBSIDED AND NOW THAT I HAD SEX IM BLEEDING AND HAVING PAIN IN MY STOMACH AND THE INCISION IS SUPER SORE. WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED???
Having sex can irritate or upset the healing process which could make you bleed more and give you some soreness as well. You are probably sore at the incision because there may have been some pulling which can make the incision site super sore, especially if you’ve already had an infection that is still healing.
Don’t let your boyfriend tell you that “you will be fine”, he does not know. Do what you feel is best and comfortable for you.
Considering that you are sore from having sex, I would recommend not having sex again for at least another 2 weeks, and don’t be afraid to wait longer if you need to
i am going on 3 weeks healin my doc told me at 2 weeks it was ok to have sex but i think he is crazy lol but i just did and it nevr hurt but i was to scared to finch will i be ok on the inside
Bernice it’s hard to know for sure if you’ll be ok. I’d wait a few weeks longer.
I just had a baby 18 days ago. i was a high risk pregnancy so i did not have sex for about 2 months before i gave birth to my baby my husband wants to be intamate now im a little scared but would like to try is it safe???
Hi New Mommy, I have to say that 18 days is too soon to be having sex again. The concern is disrupting your internal uterine stitches.
If your hubby is feeling intimate that’s OK, but I’d forgo actual intercourse. Here’s an article that may help http://www.mamashealth.com/sexualhealth/intimacy.asp
Hi New Mommy, I have to say that 18 days is too soon to be having sex again. The concern is disrupting your internal uterine stitches.
If your hubby is feeling intimate that’s OK, but I’d forgo actual intercourse.
Here’s an article that may help http://www.mynippon.com/MYNIPPON022303/story77.htm
I Had a baby a. Month ago is it safe to be intimate again? Also the birth was by c-section
You can certainly be intimate but I’d wait on actual intercourse until about 6 weeks. That’s my recommendation but you may want to get the advice of your doctor.
Hi..I had sex two weeks after my c section and I feel fine..but I’m still worried. How will my body let me know if anything is amiss internally?
Hi Kaleigh, if you feel fine that’s a good sign. If anything is amiss you’ll have unusual bleeding and probably cramping.
There has been no cramping but I’ve had some soreness…do you think we could have messed something up? When I stretch and lay on my stomach my outter incision doesn’t hurt but the area right above it feels tender,could that mean my internal incision could have an infection or has been reopened?
Hi Kaleigh, Soreness around your incision is normal. You may have disturbed the internal incision somewhat and that may be causing soreness. If you’re not experiencing, cramping, fever or bleeding you should be OK, however I’d refrain from having sex for awhile longer. You may want to give your doctor a call just to be sure.
i what 2 ask,my wife is c-section it’s ok to us if we have sex,its 2 months this january..but she said she some a little bleeding,.i here in singapore now and planning go back then,.is it safe for us to have sex then..my wife is breastfeeding and my baby is to heavy it’s about 4.5 kgs….
Hi i had a c-section almost 3 weeks ago,and me and my partner are really anxious to have sexual intercourse ! Will it be safe for me to have sex ?
Hi Luffy, having sex could take several weeks and it takes time for many women to feel comfortable again as it can be quite painful. Physically it may be OK, but if she still feels pain it could take up to 12 weeks or more, it just depends on the woman.
Hi Jessica, most doctors don’t recommend sex before 6 weeks or so, 3 weeks is a little early so you may want to check with your doctor. Having sex too early you risk pain and infection.