Monday, February 11, 2008

Just had a baby? What about sex now?

This article appeared today on www.BabyCenter.com. Considering the time of year (Valentine's Day is two days away!) I thought this mght be timely.

Will I ever want sex again?
With a new baby to care for round the clock, sex may seem like a fond but distant memory. In the first six weeks after delivery, you're exhausted and sore and overwhelmed. If you had perineal tearing or stitches from an episiotomy, you may feel like you'll never want to have sex again. Try not to worry too much about it and give yourself a break. The fact that you're reading this article is a good indication that somewhere inside you is the desire to make love again. But there's no need to rush into having sex until you feel ready. Rest assured, you and your partner will be ready to rumble again soon.
How can I keep my low libido from destroying my relationship?
"The postpartum period, before you actually start having sex again, is a great time to work on communication skills," says Lisa Douglass, an expert in human sexuality at the University of Chicago. "As you accommodate the new person in your family, you also need to renew your own relationship. That means talking about your needs and listening to your partner's," she says.
When is it normal to resume sex after giving birth?
According to a recent study sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health, 90 percent of couples have sex within a year of having a baby. But don't let that statistic alarm you! On average, couples resumed intercourse seven weeks after the baby's arrival. Women who had cesarean sections had intercourse slightly sooner than those who'd given birth vaginally.
Just listen to your body and take it slowly!

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