Resuming sex and contraception
After you have had a baby it is important to wait until you and your partner feel happy, ready and comfortable before resuming sexual intercourse. The timing of this will be individual to each couple. Some factors may increase the time you choose to wait before having intercourse. If the birth has been traumatic, physically or mentally, it may take longer for you to feel ready to have intercourse.
Some women have reduced interest in intercourse following childbirth, particularly if breastfeeding. More often than not your libido will slowly return to what was normal for you. A lasting low libido can be a sign of postnatal depression or post-birth trauma. It can help to talk to your partner, midwife, friends, family, health visitor, or GP to see what help and support might be available.
Many women find that sex is painful after birth, and that they are less lubricated naturally than they were before. Using a lubricant can help, as can taking it gently and communicating with your partner. If sex continues to be painful, you can always seek support from your healthcare provider. Intimacy can take on many forms and does not necessarily need to include penetrative vaginal intercourse. Kissing,
foreplay, cuddling, mutual masturbation, oral sex and other forms of intimate play can be less pressured whilst helping you to connect with your partner.
It is possible to become pregnant again from just three weeks after the birth even if you have not had a period and are breastfeeding, therefore it is important to consider using contraception to avoid an unplanned pregnancy. Research suggests that becoming pregnant again within 12 months of having a baby can increase the chance of your baby being small for gestation, premature or even stillborn.
Some maternity units are able to supply contraception before you are discharged home from the hospital. Your midwife will discuss your options during your pregnancy as it is easier to think about these before the arrival of your baby. Babies can be time-consuming and it may be difficult to access reliable contraception once you are home. All of the methods listed below are safe whilst breastfeeding. Ask your midwife for information on what is currently available in your maternity unit.
Intrauterine contraception can be inserted at a planned (elective) caesarean section. A device (coil) is inserted into your uterus after birth and can remain there providing reliable contraception for 5 to 10 years, depending on the type (hormonal or non-hormonal).
An implant, which is a matchstick sized rod inserted under the skin of your upper arm, can also befitted before discharge. The implant slowly releases progestogen hormone and provides reliable contraception for 3 years. The benefit of these methods which are known as long acting reversible contraception (LARC) is that you don’t need to remember to use contraception every day and therefore they have very low failure rates. Both intrauterine contraception and implants can be removed at any time at your GP Practice or local Family Planning/Sexual Health Services.
Alternatively, a six month supply of progestogen-only pills or a progestogen-only injection which provides contraception for 13 weeks can be made. The failure rates of both these methods are much higher if they are not taken exactly as recommended, for example if you forget to take pills or do not receive your next injection when it is due. Your GP practice or local Family Planning or Sexual Health Clinic can provide you with further supplies of these methods.
Ask your midwife about the advantages and disadvantages of each method to help you decide which method might be suitable for you.
Find further information here:
Sex and contraception after birth
When can we have sex again after birth?
