Sex after c section

[Funkymonkey11]

Name changed

How long did you all wait? I am 5 weeks post c section no problems but sex is proving problematic!! I stopped bleeding 1 week ago but the sex just feels sore like raw and bruised (i found the internal examinations soooo painful more than most contractions! So i am assuming its because of that?) Wondering whether to keep trying or wait or when to seek advice if it keeps feeling sore. Possibly TMI sorry!

[iloveanicecake]

2 weeks, but it was a planned CS. x

[Sunnie1984]

It also depends on your hormone levels returning to normal.

Sex can be painful because of altered hormone levels, and you can't really tell when that will happen as it's personal for everyone.

But your uterus takes 6 weeks to contract back to its original size, and then all your other organs also have to settle back into the right position.

[Blastandtroph]

Diazepam there is research evidence re this. From recollection (forgive me I'm post night shift) embolism via oral sex was a contributory factor in 2 UK maternal deaths in the early postnatal period in the late 1990s. Anal sex is also an indicator. I'd never heard of this either but was at a lecture concerning SI in PN period and it was discussed.

[RainbowPastel]

2 weeks both times. No problems.

[Mama05070704]

I found it quite sore to begin with which I put down to be catheterised, since I hadn't been in labour.

Bear in mind that breastfeeding can make things drier than normal too.

[Cadenza1818]

I was surprised at how painful it was after a c section. I'd assumed because no baby had come through there it would be fine. The scar was OK, bit tender but internally very raw as mentioned by pp and dry. Took a few months to get back to normal. Can't remember how long exactly but definitely by a year we were having fun times.

[Kpo58]

I suggest using lube. It can be very dry and uncomfortable in there for a few months after having the C-section.

[Screwinthetuna]

I can't remember how long I waited but a word of warning, I had an orgasm and it hurt like a motherfucker

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Surely the bloke would have to blow into the vagina like he was blowing up a balloon to do any damage ,in which case I wouldn't want him anywhere near me anyway as he clearly wouldn't know what he was doing

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Oral sex though should be avoided for a few weeks though, if vaginal birth, due to risk of air embolism I have never heard that before!

[Dandandandandandandan]

Sorry OP, took 6 months before it didn't hurt me any more. I was gutted - thought an intact fandango was one of the advantages to a c section! It did get back to normal though, in the end!

[Blastandtroph]

Resumption of SI is a personal choice. No need to wait 6 weeks for penetrative as pp suggests if you feel ready before then. Oral sex though should be avoided for a few weeks though, if vaginal birth, due to risk of air embolism.

[CuriosityDoor]

It can take 6 weeks for the wound in your uterus where the placenta was to fully heal.

Even though the baby didn't come out that way, your hormones can still affect what's going on down there so it can hurt still. I waited 3 months but that was a personal choice. Have another go in a week or so if you fancy it and see how it goes! Have fun!

[SheepyFun]

We got back to it rather earlier than some of you, but I'd had a planned section, which meant there wasn't any damage down below. I wanted sex at that point (we were careful with positions); I definitely wasn't forced by DH.

[PersianCatLady]

Why the rush? You just had major surgery!
I wondered that as well.

If you can't have a break from sex in the few weeks after birth, then when can you??

[PersianCatLady]

When I had a c section they told us to wait at least 6 weeks
Even with a straightforward birth you are told to wait 6 weeks before having sex, are you??

[Mama05070704]

If it still feels sore, wait a while. There's no right or wrong time; they tell you to wait 6 weeks to avoid infection.

After my first (EMCS), we had sex after 5 weeks and after my second, we waited less than 3.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

You won't be fully healed 5 weeks pp, even if it looks like you are.

[Funkymonkey11]

Wow ok message fully received!! I am fine in terms of scar etc fully healed and feel great. But clearly my fanjo is not 100% yet. I will wait longer maybe stick to the non penetrative version at the moment!!

[SomewhatIdiosyncratic]

I found it OK after 6wks despite getting a minor tear from the effort of pushing for 2 hours and failed ventouse.

I took me 5 months to be able to roll over without thinking about it though!

[FlyingElbows]

It's great that you're feeling well in yourself but please wait. You've been cut open right the way through, that's a lot of healing to do. Pain is your body's way of saying something's not right, listen to it. There's plenty of time, give yourself a chance to heal properly rather than risking any further injury by stressing an unheated wound (remember it's more than just your external wound).

[Imchuckbass]

I had sex at 10ish weeks, everything felt fine. I was tense, but that's because I was worried about it being painful, but it wasn't.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

5 weeks?! You've just had major abdominal surgery.

[FuckingSausageFingers]

Why the rush? You just had major surgery! Take it easy and leave that side of things for another few years weeks.

[Wineandrosesagain]

Took me 4 months after emergency CS and it was still a bit painful (so didn't do it again for another few weeks). DH was very understanding and didn't want to cause me any pain so he was relaxed, no pressure etc, which helped me not to feel guilty.