Sex Life Before and After Birth: What to Expect?

Sexual life before and after birth is one of the most important issues in the lives of couples and partners, which can cause worry especially for men.

Answers are often sought for questions such as how many days before the birth can have sex or does sexual intercourse facilitate normal birth. You're also probably wondering how active your sex life can be while your partner is pregnant. However, as you can see in the continuation of the article, there is no harm in ongoing your sexual life as long as the mother and baby are healthy and unless otherwise warned by your doctor.

In addition, if you have any questions about pre- or post-natal sexuality, you can get a free consultation from Dr. Yaşar Başağa, one of the best doctors in the field, and relax yourself.

Prenatal Sex Life (Before Birth)

Worries about sexual intercourse during pregnancy are usually greater before delivery. The reluctance of your spouse, which may have existed before pregnancy, can continue and you will want to show tolerance to her during this period. This is because of the changes that occur in her body during this period.

For instance, discomfort may be felt during sex due to the enlargement and swelling of the uterus. In addition, there may be a decrease in her sexual desire due to hormonal changes. Don't be afraid to try different things when you're having a hard time physically having sex in pregnancy, so you can avoid putting a distance between you.

However, it is generally safe and possible to continue sexual intercourse during pregnancy. The important thing is to follow the recommendations of your doctor or healthcare provider. For example, if your doctor has deemed you suitable for sex and your pregnancy is progressing normally, you can continue sexual intercourse.

In Which Situations Should Sex Be Avoided During Pregnancy?

There are also instances where it may be advisable not to have sex during pregnancy. Below you can see the most important of them in a list.

• If your partner has severe uterine contractions or is at risk of premature birth, sex may be avoided during pregnancy. This situation may speed up gravidity.
• Sex during pregnancy can be risky if your partner experiences one of the intrauterine infections, such as rupture of membranes (the rupture of the lining of the cervix) or loss of amniotic fluid.
• Sex should be avoided during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy because uterine contractions may be more frequent during this period and this may increase the risk of miscarriage.

Postpartum Sex Life (After Birth)

The process of returning to sexual life after childbirth may vary from person to person. For some people, sex life may normalize or even get better after childbirth. However, some people may have a decrease in sexual desire and it may take a little more time to normalize sexual life after giving birth.

This may be due to changes in the body during childbirth. For example, the uterus may have enlarged and swelled during childbirth and then shrunk. These changes may cause discomfort during intercourse and reduce sexual desire. In addition, factors such as physical fatigue and stress after childbirth can reduce sexual desire.

The following steps can help you in the process of returning to sexual life after childbirth:

• In the first weeks, you and your partner may not be physically or mentally ready for sexual intercourse. This is so normal. Your partner's attention will be directed towards your baby, so she may not be able to take care of herself and may be less attractive to you than before. Therefore, give yourself time and be open to communication. It can be said that the time you need is an average of 5 or 6 weeks.
• Try to reduce factors such as physical fatigue and stress. For example, have a good sleep pattern after giving birth and take time to try ways that can help reduce stress.
• Communicate with your partner and share your thoughts on sex life. By making an agreement with your partner about sexual intercourse, you can improve your sex life.
• Remember to be protected during sex. You may not want to have a baby again right after giving birth, so condom use is very important.

Is It Possible to Get Therapy for Sexual Life During Pregnancy?

If you are having problems with your sex life during your partner's pregnancy, it may be an option for you to find a therapist who is interested in the issue, after talking to your doctor. It is a process that aims to solve the problems you experience in your sex life and to take the right steps for a better one.

Therapy sessions can help you overcome these, especially if you and your partner have anxiety about pregnancy that you cannot avoid. These may be your concerns about being father, and your partner's feelings of motherhood. These may cause problems for men such as premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction.

It can also be helpful in solving these problems if you are having emotional problems with your partner in general. Remember that getting therapy on any subject is not a 100% positive solution and should not be approached in this way.

As it emphasized above, regular check-ups during the whole pregnancy process is very important. Even if you do not have sexual intercourse, do not have a desire, that is, you do not have an active sex life during this period, remember that these examinations are of great value for the health of your spouse and baby.

With Dr. Yaşar Başağa , who has competence in all known areas of male sexuality, you can easily talk about concerns in before and after birth and get necessary advice. A quality sex life can be easily achieved by communicating correctly and taking the right precautions. At the same time, all couples deserve a healthy pregnancy, so if you are a parent-to-be, contact us without delay.