When I found out I was pregnant, I assumed that my increasing belly size would lead to a decline in my sexual desire. To my surprise, hormonal changes kept my libido quite high. My partner, Mark, and I enjoyed intimacy regularly until about 36 weeks, when everything took a turn for the worse.
As the well-meaning advice began to pour in about how sex could help induce labor, I found myself feeling increasingly uncomfortable. I could no longer see past my belly, and finding a comfortable position became nearly impossible. All I craved during those last weeks was restful sleep, free from the discomfort of achy hips and frequent bathroom trips. Given the recovery time after childbirth and the sleepless nights ahead, I assumed intimacy would quickly fall down my list of priorities.
However, after our little one arrived, I was taken aback by a sudden surge in desire. The exhaustion didn’t deter me, nor did the postpartum essentials, such as my gigantic maxi-pad. Even during those late-night feedings, Mark and I found ourselves unable to resist each other, acting like teenagers again, even though we had never been that way together in high school.
Counting the days to my six-week postpartum checkup felt like a holiday countdown. I was eager for my doctor’s approval to resume sexual activity. When the day arrived, I was relieved to hear that everything was healing well, including my C-section incision. However, the doctor’s caution about postpartum sex lingered in my mind.
“Just so you know, it might not be great,” she warned. I brushed off her comments, thinking she didn’t understand my overwhelming desire. But when we finally tried to be intimate again, I quickly learned she was right—it was painful and far from enjoyable.
After a couple of nights attempting intimacy with different positions, things still felt off. Although I had undergone a C-section and expected no significant change, I felt as though something was drastically different. Ironically, I had feared that I would feel looser after delivery, but instead, it felt as if my body had shrunk.
In an attempt to address the discomfort, I consulted some friends who offered various solutions. Lubrication? Check. Trying to take the lead? Only a slight improvement. Even a glass of wine before intimacy didn’t have the desired effect; I found myself tipsy rather than relaxed. The added challenge of knowing our baby was just a room away made the experience feel even less appealing.
Just when I was on the brink of giving up, we tried once more. To my relief, this time it didn’t hurt. Overwhelmed with emotion, I began to cry in the middle of it all. Mark, confused and concerned, paused, thinking I was in pain. After reassuring him that everything was okay, we resumed. Thankfully, the experience gradually improved, and I felt a renewed sense of normalcy returning to our intimacy.
While the journey to reclaiming intimacy may take time, it can and often does get better with patience. Everyone’s experience is unique, but it is essential to communicate openly with your partner and seek support when needed. For those looking to explore options for expanding their families, resources like Make a Mom’s artificial insemination kit and the Women’s Health Guide on infertility can be invaluable. Alternatively, for those considering home insemination, Cryobaby’s at-home kit provides an excellent option.
In summary, while postpartum intimacy may come with unexpected challenges, open communication and the right approach can lead to improvement over time.
Keyphrase: postpartum sex after pregnancy
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