Sex after pregnancy
Go to:
Previous story
|
 Next story
|
 |
What do you want to know? Come ask the experts! A selection of answers to your questions will be regularly posted on the site. For instant gratification, click here to see what other questions have already been answered. Something not here that you want to know? Well come on -- ask your question!
The question:
|
Ann answers:
Contrary to popular belief, it's not unusual to have your libido nosedive for many weeks -- even months -- after the birth of a baby. In fact, a University of Wisconsin study of 570 new parents found that it takes bottlefeeding parents about seven weeks and breastfeeding parents about eight weeks to start having sexual intercourse again. The researchers involved in this study also found that only 17 percent of couples who were surveyed reported having sex during month after childbirth, so, believe it or not, you're part of the silent majority!
It's not hard to figure out why there's so little action in the bedroom during the early weeks of parenthood: not only are new mothers likely to be coping with sleep deprivation and a smorgasbord of postpartum aches and pains. They may want to hold off on having intercourse until after they've received reassurance from their doctor or midwife that they are healing properly after the delivery.
Some new mothers also worry that their partner may no longer find them attractive, given the stretch marks, extra pounds and other "souvenirs" they may have acquired during your pregnancy. In most cases, fathers accept -- even celebrate -- the changes that their partners' bodies have experienced as a result of giving birth. As one of the fathers I interviewed for The Mother of All Baby Books noted, "My wife bears the scars of giving life to my child -- something that just makes me love her all the more."
Hope this helps to reassure you that what you're experiencing is perfectly normal.
