Sex after pregnancy

The birth of a baby changes the usual way of life of the family, makes adjustments to all spheres of life of the spouses - psychological, physiological and sexual. The female body is in the recovery stage, the duration of which is influenced by the characteristics of the past birth, its severity, postpartum complications, as well as individual feelings.

Even if labor was natural and proceeded normally without pathologies or medical intervention, the uterus requires four to six weeks to clear out the remaining blood, return to its previous size, and completely close the cervix. During this time, the uterine tissues are renewed, for example, the place where the placenta is attached is completely restored.

Therefore, it is recommended to resume sex after pregnancy no earlier than a month later. The reproductive system of a woman in the postpartum period is most susceptible to infections. Sexual contact can provoke bleeding from vessels injured during childbirth. The duration of abstinence can increase to several months due to serious birth injuries or complications after them. All terms are discussed by the obstetrician-gynecologist on an individual basis.

Many women find a complete lack of sexual desire after giving birth. They associate this with nervous exhaustion, stress experienced by the body, especially if the birth process was difficult, plus fatigue, fears, doubts, etc. Intimate closeness the first times after childbirth often causes discomfort, pain syndrome in the fair sex. Firstly, the application of stitches could damage the nerve endings. Secondly, the mucous membrane of the vagina becomes more sensitive. Thirdly, the amount of natural lubrication decreases. All this should be taken into account by spouses.

Sex after pregnancy is perceived by spouses differently, as the vaginal walls need some time to restore their lost tone. Women may have a harder time achieving orgasm, and men may not feel vaginal volume. Physical exercise, intimate gymnastics, and love come to the rescue.

When can you have sex after pregnancy?

Obstetricians and gynecologists advise resuming intimate relations after at least six weeks have passed since childbirth. This is how much time the uterus needs to recover and return to its original size. The cervix is a wound surface, there is bloody discharge from the vagina, and an infection can be introduced through sexual contact. The postpartum period includes healing of the rupture sites, restoration of the secretion of the genital area. Very often after childbirth, a woman's libido decreases, which is a natural protective reaction against possible complications and unwanted new conception.

When can you have sex after pregnancy? The answer to this question depends on how the birth went. The presence of postpartum injuries, discomfort in the form of vaginal dryness, muscle stretching may require abstinence for up to two months. Then the spouses will have to remember about alternative methods of satisfaction, for example, oral caresses.

Parents should remember that the absence of menstruation and breastfeeding are not a means of contraception. Therefore, if the gynecologist has allowed early sex after childbirth, do not forget about the condom.

Sex after termination of pregnancy

As practice shows, a common cause of miscarriage is the non-viability of the fetus. If during the process of spontaneous interruption all the fetal membranes have come out of the uterine cavity, then no additional medical manipulations are performed. If the miscarriage was incomplete and in the case of a frozen pregnancy, a gynecological cleaning (curettage, scraping) is required.

It may take from several weeks to four months for the body to return to a healthy state after a spontaneous miscarriage. During this time, bleeding should completely stop. During this period, a woman should forget about physical activity, hot baths and intimate relations. The menstrual cycle is restored in 4-5 weeks. Sex after termination of pregnancy is highly undesirable in the first two weeks.

Contact your gynecologist immediately if you discover the following in the first days after a miscarriage or curettage:

• abdominal pain;
• bleeding;
• fever, severe weakness and chills.

It is better to plan a new pregnancy after a spontaneous abortion no earlier than six months later. Use reliable contraceptives at first to prevent re-conception.

Sex after medical termination of pregnancy

Medical (pharmacological) termination of pregnancy is an abortion using drugs. For this purpose, the drug "mifegin" is used, which is a steroid antiprogestogen substance. In this case, the abortion occurs as a miscarriage. Bloody discharge is observed for one to three weeks. During this time, the woman should refrain from sexual intercourse. Physical overload, as well as sex after medical termination of pregnancy, can provoke uterine bleeding. It also takes time to restore the uterine epithelium. Intimacy increases the risk of infection and complications after an abortion.

Abstinence for several weeks is explained, in addition to hygiene standards, by a failure of the menstrual cycle, which leads to repeated pregnancy. The optimal period for abstaining from physical intimacy will be the period before the next period, which occurs on average in a month.

Sex after an ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is a pathological process in which the fertilized egg implants and develops outside the uterine cavity. This condition threatens the woman's life and requires medical care, so in case of bleeding, you should immediately call an ambulance.

Treatment is carried out surgically:

• laparoscopy – microsurgical intervention (discharge occurs after 4-5 days);
• laparotomy, when the peritoneal wall is cut (discharged after 7-10 days).

The postoperative period includes mandatory monitoring of the patient's condition in the hospital with the use of IV drips to normalize the water-electrolyte balance. For preventive purposes (to reduce the risk of infectious complications), antibiotics are prescribed - "cefuroxime" / "metronidazole". An important role is played by rehabilitation measures aimed at normalizing reproductive functions: preventing the appearance of adhesions, contraceptive methods, restoring hormonal balance.

The duration of the recovery period, including physiotherapeutic effects on the reproductive system, is selected individually. It is better to practice sex after an ectopic pregnancy no earlier than a month later. The issue of contraception should be approached very seriously, which should be discussed with a gynecologist. It is advisable to plan a pregnancy no earlier than six months later, in some cases a year later.