How Does One's Sex Life Change after a Cesarean Section?

8.04.2010 | By: T. B.

Not just a vaginal childbirth, childbirth with a C-section also has consequences which require you to be careful during sexual activities.

No matter what is the type of childbirth you went through, it’s recommendable to wait with sex. (PhotoXpress)

C-section

Any childbirth is exhausting. The same goes for a Cesarean section. Perhaps it’s even more painful. A Cesarean section is in this respect totally "equal" to “real” childbirth. Most often, when we speak about giving birth and intercourse after childbirth, we think about vaginal childbirth.

You should also be careful after a Cesarean section: you have a resting period prescribed and it’s not recommendable to have intercourse during that time. As always, there are also different theories and convictions in this case. The time period we’re talking about is about one to six weeks. This is the time when the scar heals totally and the bleeding from the uterus stops. Sexual intercourse shouldn’t occur until the uterus returns to the same size as it was before childbirth and after the cervix is closed. Otherwise, sexual intercourse could cause an infection.

The female body needs time to recover after childbirth. (PhotoXpress)

What factors do you have to take into account when having intercourse after a Cesarean section?

Even when you can start having relations, you still have to be careful about a few things. First of all, you have to be careful about the cut. If it’s still soft and sensitive, it’s recommendable you choose a position where there’s no touching of the stitches. The most appropriate positions are the ones where the woman is on top or on her side. Even though the childbirth wasn’t vaginal, there can still be some vaginal pain. The vaginal pain after a Cesarean section is attributed to hormonal changes. Using a lubricant is important for more pleasant intercourse after a Cesarean section, especially if the woman is breastfeeding.

Start fondling her body because an orgasm isn’t forbidden. (PhotoXpress)

An orgasm without penetration

If you really want intercourse and you want to surrender to your partner, you can practice any type of sexual intercourse that doesn’t involve penetration. Orgasm is not forbidden, unless it causes you pain or discomfort. It can be reached in several ways: by massaging the clitoris, the labia, perhaps even by massaging the breasts if they’re not too sensitive, and with the massage of the whole body.