After approval from an OB-GYN, most new moms are in the clear to resume sex six weeks after birth. Questions surrounding what exactly is considered safe as far as sex positions, however, may still come to mind. For example, "Is it safe to do it doggy style 6 weeks after natural birth?" is a question that may arise for couples eager to get back to sex as usual. To err on the side of caution, however, it's a good idea for couples to take it slow and work back up to the more adventurous positions that are potentially rougher on the vaginal and healing areas.
In an article OB-GYN Dr. Laura McKain wrote for Baby Center, she suggested waiting six weeks before any postpartum intercourse or penetration. Because women who've had a natural birth are still susceptible to infection, having sex before your doctor's made sure your vagina and perineum have healed enough leaves you at higher risk for pain and infection. Additionally, she noted that many women need even more time than six weeks before they're 100 percent comfortable.
When you are ready, starting off with a more gentle position can help you ease back into sex. In other words, it may be safest to approach sex less intense and gentler position first. Once you feel more comfortable or back to normal, then consider doggy style again.
Although the doggy style position isn't totally deemed unsafe for all, the position does allow for much deeper penetration, and in turn, leaves thrust control in the hands of your partner and not you. This also creates more chance for unexpected pain or complications during sex. Instead of doggy style, consider starting out in a position that allows you more control over areas that may still be sore.
If you're really itching to get back into a doggy style-type position, one way you can have sex in a similar manner is a position called doggy pillow. According to Women's Day, moms who had an unmedicated birth can sometimes feel a pinch feeling in their scar tissue. To relieve the extra pressure and make sure you're able to maintain more control, using a pile of pillows as support under your stomach will help reduce the sore or pinching feelings on the scarred area.
Whether or not you're a fan of the doggy style position, remember that sex is different for every couple after birth. Just because you've gotten approval, physically, to have sex again, doesn't mean you should immediately be able to jump in where you left off. You've gone several weeks, potentially months, without sex, and you've pushed a child out of your vagina – taking it slow and utilizing positions like missionary or spooning are the safest and least painful ways to start to having sex again.
