Sex After C-Section

When is it safe to have sex after c-section surgery?

Exactly when it’s safe to have sex again will mean listening to your body and also your doctor.

Most doctors want you to wait at least until your lochia bleeding has stopped and your body returns to its normal, ‘healed’ state, which is typically 4-6 weeks after your C-Section.  Some doctors may be more conservative recommending as long as 8 weeks.

What are the risks of having sex too soon after a c section?

The safety concerns are risk of infection, bleeding and pain during sex.  Having sex too soon puts you at risk of any or all of these complications. 

Doctors are especially concerned that having sex too soon could cause postpartum hemorrhage and/or infection.  The reason for this is that when you give birth, the placenta detaches from the uterus, this leaves a wound which is part of the reason why you bleed after childbirth.  Having sex too soon could cause an infection or further injury and internal bleeding.

You also have an internal uterine incision as well as an external incision.  Having sex or even using tampons prior to a complete C-Section recovery could cause injury to your internal incision or introduce a serious infection in any of these areas.

Painful Sex After Your C-Section

Sex too soon can also be painful.  This may seem like a bit of a mystery since C-Section babies don’t pass through the birth canal, so why would having sex be painful?  Your muscles and ligaments were pulled and stretched during your C-Section procedure and that will affect your vaginal area.  If the area is still weak and healing, the movement and agitation that occurs during sex can cause pain.

Tip:  If you’ve waited at least six weeks or more after your C-Section and you still feel pain or discomfort during sex, post c-section recovery exercise is a good way to condition and strengthen your pelvic area, making sex less painful.

Do You Absolutely have to wait 6 weeks to have sex again?

Many women don’t.  In fact there are women who have had sex as soon as one week after having their C-Section.

Does this mean it’s OK to risk it and have sex sooner?

I wouldn’t encourage that.  Should an infection or bleeding occur, you’ll delay your recovery.  But even more than that, you could  cause serious internal damage or possibly an additional hospital stay.

If you think you feel OK enough to resume sex before six weeks, just be aware of the dangers and certainly proceed with caution.  For your own health and safety though, and more enjoyment of the sexual experience both physically and emotionally, it’s safer to wait the prescribed amount of time or until your doctor gives you the OK.  Healing after a C-Section can take long enough, why prolong it by taking unnecessary risks?

And speaking of emotions, they also play a key role when resuming sexual relations. If your hormones haven’t yet normalized and your physical healing is not yet completed, attempting intercourse too early can have negative emotional effects on your relationship.  If you or your partner have the urge to resume sexual activity before it’s safe, try considering alternate ways of sharing your intimate moments that will be physically comfortable and safer while you heal.

Comment below and tell us how soon you first had sex after your C-Section and what was your experience?