What to expect after your baby is born
Your body will go through many changes after your baby is born.
You can learn about what to expect and how to care for yourself in the booklet Your Guide to Postpartum Health and Caring for your Baby from Health Canada.
Ottawa Public Health shares information about postpartum mood from the view points of real parents, with additional information from health-care providers, in the video Postpartum Mental Health.
Having sex after having a baby
Your body needs time to heal after having a baby. This process usually takes four to six weeks. Consult your health care provider for guidance specific to you.
In some cases, it may be safe to have sex earlier if your vagina feels like it has healed (from an episiotomy or a tear) and bleeding has stopped. Some individuals might not feel ready to resume sex until well after six weeks.
Each person will have to decide for themselves when they feel comfortable and ready to resume sex.
When will I feel like having sex again?
When there is a new baby in the house, you may feel you have neither the time or energy for having sex. Hormonal changes after birth can also make a birthing parent feel less interested in sex. It is important for partners to communicate with each other and not guess how the other parent is feeling.
Seeing the other side
Sexual communication tips
Explaining sexual changes
Will I notice any changes when having sex after giving birth?
Vaginal dryness is common after childbirth. More foreplay before sex increases your body’s natural lubrication. Using a water-based, personal lubricant, or lubricated condoms can help.
When should I see a health care provider?
- If sex is painful.
- If you, or your partner, are worried about a decreased sexual response.
- If you have any other questions or concerns about your sexual health.
Pain during sex
Will having sex affect breastfeeding or chestfeeding?
Having sex will not affect breastfeeding or chestfeeding. It is okay to touch the breasts (chest) during sex with hands or mouth. Some parents will feel sexually aroused when the baby is feeding. This is normal. The hormones released when a person has an orgasm may cause milk to leak. Some couples will not enjoy touching the breast or chest if they are sore, or if milk leaks.
Planning your next pregnancy
Planning your next pregnancy after childbirth is a personal decision. After the birth of your baby, it is best to wait at least 18 to 24 months before trying to get pregnant again. This gap gives your body time to recover and gives a better chance for your next baby to be healthy. Talk to your health care provider about what is right for you.
Having a baby and your mental health
Parents can have a wide range of mood changes after their baby is born, including anxiety and depression. Most parents have moments of feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, irritable, or tearful in the first couple of weeks after their baby is born. This if often called the “baby blues”. If these feelings don’t improve after two weeks, or if they go away and come back, talk to your health care provider.
Learn more about parent mental health and when and where to get help.