So this is an old thread, but a friend came across it and I thought I would share. What about you ladies? Me personally, NO to both. I mean I guess I can see sex during labor...because it can take awhile and it's not painful at first(at least it wasn't for me), but certainly not while IN the hospital. And I cringe at the thought of having sex again after delivery. With DS I had an episiotomy, and with DD I had a bad 2nd degree tear right along the scar tissue of where my episiotomy was and for both kids I couldn't physically go through with it until 12w PP! And it hurt for MONTHS after that. I seriously cringe thinking about it. But obviously every body and delivery is different. But a definite no for me!!
Ummm I thought doctor's instructions were generally nothing in the hoohaw for 6 weeks after delivery. To prevent infections I guess. Not to mention, ouch.
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Ummm I thought doctor's instructions were generally nothing in the hoohaw for 6 weeks after delivery. To prevent infections I guess. Not to mention, ouch.
You are correct! I didn't attempt it til 6ww PP and like I said, couldn't fully do it til 12w PP.
Oh and I had sex about 4 hours before going into labor with DD. I was 40w5d. I don't have a problem with it BEFORE labor, but it's the last thing on my mind DURING labor.
Haven't gone to the thread yet (I will in a moment), but I felt compelled to say that I was more likely to walk on the moon after delivery than have sex. Seriously? Even if I could have talked my husband into it, I'm not sure he'd have recognized the landscape to know where to go.
DH was too afraid to survey the damage. He wouldn't look at it for a long time.
Oh and I had sex about 4 hours before going into labor with DD. I was 40w5d. I don't have a problem with it BEFORE labor, but it's the last thing on my mind DURING labor.
We did too! I was 41 weeks. I'm wondering if it's what finally kick-started things.
Yeah, hard to tell if it was the sex or just the fact that we were over due!
Wow... I've heard about people having sex right after delivery, I always thought that was crazy! With both of my kids, sex is what jump started the contractions that put me in labor and I had a baby in my arms 12 hrs or less later with both. But I don't think I could have sex while actually laboring... and post delivery!? No thanks. With DS1, I had a 4th degree tear and episiotomy and I felt fine enough after 5 weeks PP to do the deed. I can't remember with DS2.
Sex after delivery is absolutely disgusting! Your cervix is still open, where your placenta was attached is still bleeding, and your lady bits are all swolled and angry.
Now, I can see sex as a way to induce labor, but not once you're in active labor... how could you concentrate?
I have trouble believing that this happens a lot, and couples are having sex in the hospital. Once your water breaks, there's risk of infection, so that makes no sense. A lot of people will have sex before their doctor gives them the all clear, but I think that's more likely to be at 5 weeks PP, not like, 5 hours after the baby is out. You're bleeding and it's not period blood... ew. Also, I couldn't get a half hour to myself after delivery to sleep, so when are they finding the time?
Sex is not medically advisable starting from the time your water breaks until the end of fourth stage labor (the expelling of lochia, which can take a couple weeks) as it risks infection.
((Slightly off-topic, but six weeks is only a guideline- technically if you're not bleeding anymore it won't risk an infection, as the open wound where the placenta was attached to the uterus has healed up. My OB told me that the six week guideline was really to ensure women wouldn't turn around and get PG again since they generally don't prescribe hormonal BC until 6 weeks PP - especially those not BFing. If you heal up before six weeks, you could safely choose to engage in sex (at risk of pregnancy, if that doesn't bother you). This is, of course, assuming a vaginal delivery with little to no reconstructive repairs.))
Based on the medical guidelines, one should not have sex in the hospital. I guess the only loophole to my logic would be if you are admitted in active labor, but your water hasn't broken, in which case the common sense and decency argument are satisfactory to stand on their own without medical support.
WTF is wrong with people?! During labor is just completely insane! I mean are you that desperate to have sex that you'd risk infection. And immediately after is even worst. Everything is beyond swollen that even peeing is very painful.
I swore after having DS that I was never going to poop again because the area was so traumatized and I only had a second degree tear. We also tried 6 weeks pp and it hurt so bad that we had to stop immediately. We waited another few weeks to try again but it took several months not to have pain or sensitivity to the area.
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We had sex 3 weeks PP. I wasn't bleeding anymore and my stitch had dissolved. We had sex the night I went into labor, which resulted in the grossest moment of our married lives.
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I have trouble believing that this happens a lot, and couples are having sex in the hospital. Once your water breaks, there's risk of infection, so that makes no sense. A lot of people will have sex before their doctor gives them the all clear, but I think that's more likely to be at 5 weeks PP, not like, 5 hours after the baby is out. You're bleeding and it's not period blood... ew. Also, I couldn't get a half hour to myself after delivery to sleep, so when are they finding the time?
While I agree with you and would never had sex during labor or right after, with both kids my water never broke on its' own. They broke it for me around 8cm. So, I would hope that for these people who apparently have sex during labor, their water hasn't broken yet, because like you said, hello infection risk!
Re: Sex during labor and/or right after delivery?
Having sex while in the hospital and in labor? WTF? It's not a hotel room people. Holy hell.
Having sex immediately after delivering? Helllll to the no.
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ETA: I feel like I should have clarified we had sex and then I went into labor a few hours later.
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Now, I can see sex as a way to induce labor, but not once you're in active labor... how could you concentrate?
((Slightly off-topic, but six weeks is only a guideline- technically if you're not bleeding anymore it won't risk an infection, as the open wound where the placenta was attached to the uterus has healed up. My OB told me that the six week guideline was really to ensure women wouldn't turn around and get PG again since they generally don't prescribe hormonal BC until 6 weeks PP - especially those not BFing. If you heal up before six weeks, you could safely choose to engage in sex (at risk of pregnancy, if that doesn't bother you). This is, of course, assuming a vaginal delivery with little to no reconstructive repairs.))
Based on the medical guidelines, one should not have sex in the hospital. I guess the only loophole to my logic would be if you are admitted in active labor, but your water hasn't broken, in which case the common sense and decency argument are satisfactory to stand on their own without medical support.
I swore after having DS that I was never going to poop again because the area was so traumatized and I only had a second degree tear. We also tried 6 weeks pp and it hurt so bad that we had to stop immediately. We waited another few weeks to try again but it took several months not to have pain or sensitivity to the area.
"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it the more it will elude you but if u turn your attention to other things it will come & sit softly on your shoulder."
BFP! 04/26/11 - DS born 12/28/11 - BFP #2! 04/02/13 - DD born 12/11/13 -
My Ovulation Chart