Resuming sex
Most couples start having sex again by three months after the
birth, but at the end of the first year, the majority - 60% -
report they're less active than they used to be. A loss of desire
is common in both sexes, especially women.
Fatigue is the most important factor in this - if you're too
tired, it's hard to feel aroused. Some women feel unhappy with
their bodies after pregnancy and childbirth, and this makes them
feel unattractive and less sexy.
If you feel pain during intercourse, perhaps because stitches
from an episiotomy have not healed well, then this is bound to put
you off, too. You should speak to your doctor about this.
Issues around sex
- If you feel you have no interest in sex after giving birth, and
it worries you, or it's affecting your relationship, then speak to
your doctor. Bear in mind that it's normal for things to take a
while to get back to the way they once were.
- Are you confident in your contraception? If you don't want to
get pregnant again, and you want to be sure of this, you may want
to choose a different method of contraception. You'll be asked
about this at your six-week postnatal check.
- Experiment with non-penetrative sex. This can often be a way of
easing yourself back to the way things were. If you have had a long
or difficult birth, penetration might be exactly what you don't
want. Yet there are lots of other good things to enjoy!
Chat to other mums and dads on the Huggies Forum about their
experience after the birth of their baby.