Sex after Cesarean very painful

[Newmumsuchfun]

In a nutshell my birth experience was induction using pessary, very long labour with epidural along the way, got to 10cm. 2 hours of pushing but baby then went back to back. then forceps (nocutting) then emergency C section.
That was about 5 wks ago & partner and i attempted sex last night. It hurt like Hell and I am wondering if that is normal? Hard to explain the pain. but a bit like it was too big and i was far too small.

[Flisspaps]

5 weeks is still very soon after birth.

Even though the baby didn't actually exit through your vagina, induction and forceps will have left you swollen and bruised.

Give yourself some more time.

[Forgetfulmog]

I found it to be the same as you described. Don't know if it'll get easier...

[whatsoever]

5 weeks?! I had forceps and we waited 5 months!

[louschmoo]

Are you breastfeeding? I had an EMCS with DS1 and was shocked to find that sex was painful after. It was like the skin was too thin and I felt like I was being torn. no amount of lube helped. The pain went away within 1 week of me stopping BF (when DS was almost 7 months). As far as I am aware this is an uncommon but physiologically normal response to breastfeeding - something to do with oestrogen levels. Am now 12 days postpartum with DS2 after an ELCS - will see if the same thing happens this time round...

[StitchAteMyEasterEggs]

Give it time, I have had two EMCS's, the first was similar to your experience, but with attempted ventouse as well. I didn't feel right inside for about 5 months (like things had moved about a bit) although we still managed to dtd from about 8 weeks postpartum. It gets easier the more frequently you try (and initial entry always the worst part).

My advice would be to leave it a few more weeks then try again, but with lots of lube and plenty of foreplay. If you have a vibrator you could also practice yourself, might help to remove some of the fear of it being painful which can also have an impact on your ability to relax.

[Newmumsuchfun]

thank you all. I was wondering if it was psychological more than physical because i felt a bit like i panicked (massively) with penetration. Yes I am breastfeeding and my breasts killed too! and oddly started gushing after sex. i suppose i assumed as it wasnt vaginal delivery it would just be normal down there. Although i know what they did to me re: forceps. i dont really know what that means in real terms and i am hesitant to look it up.

[thing1andthing2]

My understanding is as you were in labour, your body thinks you gave birth vaginally. It then releases hormones to tighten up the vagina after the birth to return it to its normal size and shape.
However the baby didn't pass through your vagina, it didn't need tightening, so it has got too tight, does that make sense?
It should ease up over time I think.

[Teatimecakes]

I had a planned section for breech position and sex was incredibly painful afterwards. We waited 6 weeks. It felt like I was a Virgin all over again. It finally felt normal by about 3 months - but still had to take things very gently for a while. All totally normal again by 4 months

[octanegirl]

I had the same problem after my c section. I didn't have any instruments up there during labour and yet it hurt like crazy the first few times, and is still painful now till he's all the way in. It's getting better though.