5 tips for sex after birth
Postbaby sex can be scary. (The last ordeal down there might have brought you a beautiful babe, but it hurt like heck, too!) Alison Schultz, DO, an OB/GYN at Boulder Medical Center in Boulder, Colorado, shares some helpful tips on how to make your first encounter as pain- and anxiety-free as possible.
Go at your own pace.
Prolong the foreplay and gradually build up to the main event. Now is probably not the best time for a quickie.
Use an over-the-counter lubricant.
It can help with dryness and tenderness, especially if you’re breastfeeding.
Choose a position wisely.
You’ll want to be in control over the pace and depth of penetration. (Think missionary or side-by-side.) Some positions might put pressure on sore areas, so experiment and adjust as needed.
Tell your partner what feels good.
And what doesn’t. If it hurts, stop, and give it another week or two.
Don’t forget contraception.
It’s possible, but not advisable, to get pregnant within a month of childbirth. Breastfeeding isn’t a reliable form of birth control, so talk to your doc about other options.
