You just had a baby. And for weeks?maybe months?you are too sore, overwhelmed, maxed out on touch and desperate for sleep to even contemplate having sex. But when that impossible moment finally comes?your baby is sleeping and you?re finally ready to get it on?what happens if your postpartum body isn?t ready to join the party"
Pregnancy and childbirth change a woman?s body. And for a lot of us, resuming our sex lives can be, at best, a bit of a learning curve, and at worst, terribly painful. Baharak Amir-Wornell, a Halifax OB/GYN and pelvic-floor surgeon, says it?s not uncommon for women who have recently given birth to experience anxiety and discomfort during sex. ?It?s important to understand that you?re not alone?a lot of women have these types of issues, and there are a range of treatment options available,? says Amir-Wornell. Many couples start having sex again somewhere in the range of four weeks to six months postpartum. Most healthcare providers advise waiting at least six weeks to allow tissues to heal, but it?s common for women to feel ready earlier or, in some cases, much later. For many new moms, the first hurdle is getting used to their unfamiliar postpartum bodies. Montrealer Manuela Santiago remembers feeling like she had to get to know a brand new body after the birth of her son. ?I had this sagging belly, lots of stretch marks, and at first I had a hard time feeling desirable,? she says.
Breastfeeding can make it especially tricky to think of your breas...