New moms ask for doctor's note to avoid having sex after giving birth
While some doctors recommend waiting 4-6 weeks after giving birth before having sex, some new moms have complained that their partners don't understand.
A gynaecologist has revealed that some new mothers have asked her for a doctor's note to avoid having sex with their partners after giving birth.
Sex after pregnancy is a challenging topic for many women, regardless of whether they had a C-section or vaginal birth.
Every woman's body is different, and the waiting period is something each couple has to discuss.
However, some doctors recommend waiting 4-6 weeks after giving birth, while others encourage moms to wait until after their first medical checkup.
American obstetrician-gynaecologist, Dr Thais Aliabadi, says that when some of her patients reach the end of the six-week period, they approach her with a special request.
"The patient would ask me to write it. She's not allowed to have sex for another six months, for another three months, for another five weeks," she said.
"Because these patients would go home, and their partners would force them to have sex with them. So, they wanted a medical letter from me."
The doctor, who specialises in high-risk pregnancies, PCOS and endometriosis, spoke about postpartum care during a guest appearance on The Female Quotient's podcast, 'Broadlines'.
Dr Aliabadi says while the wound typically heals after six weeks, sex can still be an uncomfortable experience for some.
"The problem is, postpartum, with the hormone shift, with the crash of estrogen, we have a lot of vaginal dryness. And even for patients who've had C-sections, when they first start having sex, the vagina feels very dry, and it feels painful - even though they haven't pushed the baby out."
READ: 'Riverdale' star Lili Reinhart shares endometriosis diagnosis
For couples who want to start having sex early, Dr Aliabadi recommends using lubricant.
"Know that it is going to hurt. As long as you're breastfeeding, it takes months for your hormones to recover, for the tissue to recover."
The doctor, who has worked with celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Khloé Kardashian and Rihanna, says fatigue, lack of sleep, stress, depression and anxiety also lower women's sex drives after giving birth.
READ: Model Elsie Hewitt shares why she's not breastfeeding
Social media users took to the comments to share their own experiences.
"My last two, my ex didn’t even let me heal for three weeks," one mom wrote. "I did it so [he] wouldn’t venture elsewhere, and he still ended up cheating on me."
Another mom wrote: "My ex used to walk around the house slamming doors whenever I turned down a request for sex. I left him and haven't dated since. It took me a long time in life to realize the overwhelming majority of men feel entitled to women's bodies anytime and anywhere they want it. They will actually fly into a rage."
Medical professionals also weighed in, with one revealing that this is a common problem for women.
"This is one of the biggest complaints my patients have is 'pain with sex', and it’s not just vaginal deliveries, a lot of them are C-section moms!"
"I agree that lubrication can help, but also pelvic floor PT exercises can make a huge difference too! (And scar work for c-section moms!)."
Watch the full podcast episode below or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
READ: Full-body workout using water bottles as weights
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 602
Follow us on social media:
Image credit: iStock