Why You Need to Wait 6 Weeks To Have Sex After A C-Section

Every birth experience is unique, which is part of what makes becoming a parent so amazing. And although you may not know exactly what to expect when that special day arrives, you know that giving birth via Cesarean section will be completely different than a vaginal delivery. But if your vagina isn't part of the process, why would you have to wait the same amount of time to resume sexual intercourse as a woman who had a vaginal birth? Even if you don't want to admit it, you may be wondering, why do you have to wait six weeks to have sex after a C-section?

You have just performed some major superhero magic by bringing another human life into the world. And no matter how you deliver, your body will need some time to heal from the experience. It'll take a while before you can resume your normal activities, which includes having sex. You should expect to spend at least two days in the hospital recovering after your delivery, as Healthline noted. As with a vaginal delivery, you will experience some postpartum bleeding in the first couple of weeks as your uterus returns to its normal size — even though it may not be quite as heavy.

You will also need to allow time for your cervix to close. For this reason, you should avoid placing anything in your vagina for a few weeks after your delivery to prevent infection, as the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggested. To be sure that you have healed completely, ACOG recommended new mothers wait until their six-week postpartum checkup.

Even if your healing process happens faster, you may find that you still experience pain in the area of your abdomen. You should expect to have your staples removed somewhere around six days after you give birth, though you may still find sex uncomfortable as your incisions heal. The ACOG advised that women allow at least two weeks postpartum for their incisions to heal. If stitches tear open before having a chance to heal, you will put yourself at risk for infection.