How Long After Giving Birth Can You Have Sex?

As natural as it may be, pregnancy really puts the human body through the wringer. After you've carried the little darling for a whopping 40 weeks or so, your body finishes off the whole journey by birthing a mini-human into the world. Whether your baby is delivered vaginally or via a C-section, it's not a walk in the park, physically, mentally, or emotionally. 

Because of this, it can take a while for you to feel like you again. But when it finally happens, your brain might wander toward thoughts of initiating sex with your partner. So exactly how long do you have to wait before you can have a proper romp? 

In news that might surprise you, there's no set amount of time you have to wait after giving birth to have vaginal intercourse, or other types of sex. In fact, the Mayo Clinic advises that people set their own timeline as to when post-pregnancy sex feels right for them. But while there is no set time, per se, that doesn't mean you should have sex the second you get home from the hospital. The risk of developing health issues is highest during the first two weeks post-delivery, according to the Mayo Clinic. It's also a good idea to see a doctor and ensure you're physically healthy before having sex. There are several factors you should consider before getting sexy with your partner again.

According to the March of Dimes, most doctors recommend waiting at least six weeks after birth before having sex again. But depending on how your pregnancy and delivery went, your doctor might tell you that two weeks is long enough to wait, or they may even suggest waiting longer than six weeks. What's most important to understand is what's going on with your body. 

"It's best to keep things out of the vagina for a few weeks. That includes tampons, saliva, penises, fingers and toys," OB/GYN Jacqueline Zuponcic tells Cleveland Health Clinic. "Your cervix hasn't yet shrunk back down. After having a baby, it's easier for bacteria to get into the uterus and make you very sick." 

There are also external vulnerabilities to consider. If you had a C-section, then you definitely have an incision that needs to heal, and if you had a vaginal birth, you may have torn the vaginal opening or received an episiotomy to prevent tearing. In either case, these are wounds that need time to heal.

When you feel that you're ready to have sex, the most important thing to do is acknowledge that it will be different and talk to your partner about it. If you're worried about intimacy after childbirth, address your concerns head-on to minimize surprises. "When someone is nursing, especially in the beginning, the decrease in estrogen combined with high prolactin and oxytocin levels can mimic menopause for the first two to three months," gynecologist Rebecca Booth tells Parents. "Think night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and often pain."

Even if you choose not to nurse, sex could feel different in other ways. According to a 2020 study published in Sexual Medicine, 41% to 83% of women report sexual dysfunction issues within the first two to three months after giving birth. The same study found that sexual dysfunction still persisted at six months for 64% of women — and 38% reported never getting back to pre-pregnancy satisfaction levels. Women can experience anything from changes in desire and body image, to physical shifts like vaginal dryness or sheer exhaustion from being a new parent. 

Ultimately, when you have choose to have sex after giving birth is your call and shouldn't be dictated by anyone else — including your partner. Give your body time to heal, take each day as it comes, and don't buy into any prescribed notions that you should be ready to do anything, sex related or not, at a certain time after giving birth.