How soon can I have sex after giving birth?
It is common to feel nervous about having sex again, but there is usually no reason why you shouldn't enjoy sex after childbirth. If you have any discomfort which might affect your enjoyment of sex, such as stitches which have not healed, discuss this with your doctor, midwife, or nurse. You may want to use a vaginal lubricant if you are uncomfortably dry. Use water-soluble lubricants such as Astroglide or Slippery Stuff. Products such as baby oil and Vaseline will damage latex condoms or diaphragms and are not made to be used in the vagina.
When will my periods start again?
If you are strictly breastfeeding your baby your periods may not come back until you stop breastfeeding. If you bottlefeed, or combine bottle and breastfeeding, your first period could start 5 to 8 weeks, sometimes longer, after the birth.
When do I need to start using contraception?
You can become pregnant again quickly after childbirth, so it is wise to think about which method you are going to use before you resume sexual activity. Don't wait for your periods to return, or until you have your postpartum check-up, because you could get pregnant before then. This is because ovulation can occur about two weeks before a period, so you can be fertile without realizing it even if you are breastfeeding.
You can use condoms as soon as you are ready to have sex. You can usually start a hormonal method around 6 weeks after childbirth. Remember to discuss your birth control options with your healthcare provider.