Health care providers advise waiting at least six weeks after giving birth to have sex. You’ll need to get clearance from your health-care provider.

Published: April 27, 2020 | Updated: November 8, 2021

Many factors can go into how long after giving birth you can have sex. Whether you delivered vaginally or via cesarean section, your body needs time to heal.

Waiting at least six weeks after childbirth to have sexual intercourse is best. You’ll need to get clearance from your provider, because there are risks to having sexual intercourse too soon after giving birth.

Having sex too soon increases the risk of hemorrhage and uterine infection. A cesarean section is major surgery, and your body will need at least six weeks — and likely eight weeks — to heal.

Give your body time to heal after giving birth

Any vaginal tears, especially those repaired surgically, will need time to heal. Regardless of the time frame, you should wait until postpartum discharge has stopped before resuming sexual intercourse.

Postpartum discharge typically lasts about two weeks and is initially mostly bleeding from the area where the placenta detached from the uterus. It also contains tissue from the uterus, as well as bacteria.

It’s quite normal to be fatigued and to experience vaginal dryness, pain and low sexual desire after giving birth.

Be alert to insomnia, severe mood swings, loss of appetite, overwhelming fatigue and a loss of interest or pleasure. These could be signs of postpartum depression. Contact your provider if you experience these symptoms.