Love, sex and romance: is there hope after the baby?

Reason for diminished desire

There are many factors that can affect the desire for intimacy following the birth of your baby. Here are a few of the most common:

Stress and physical exhaustion:

• Sleepless nights, a newborn's demanding schedule, dirty diapers, sore nipples from breast-feeding, and the anxiety that accompanies this fragile new life all compete with the energy you were previously able to contribute to building an intimate relationship with each other.

Changing hormones:

• The significant drop of estrogen and progesterone after childbirth can cause postpartum depression, which can interfere with your sexual drive. Although this varies with each individual, postpartum depression commonly lasts between a few days to six weeks following birth. Some women are more sensitive to hormonal changes than others.

Physical discomfort:

• Unfortunately, the pain from childbirth doesn't end as soon as the baby is born. In addition to the physical pain it took to get your baby into the world, you will experience physical discomfort as your body works to repair the damages that occurred during the birthing process. The incision from the episiotomy or cesarean birth, hemorrhoids, engorged breasts, and tender vagina are just a few of the "pains" that may be intensified during intercourse.

Lack of privacy:

• When you are used to making love in your home--whenever and wherever the desire strikes, it may be difficult to resume the same spontaneity in the company of the baby. Even though you know the baby is oblivious and unaffected by your sexual activity, it can stifle the mood.

Breast-feeding:

• Some studies show that nursing women regain their sexual desire earlier, while other studies show that their sexual desire decreases during the time they are breast-feeding. Why the contradiction? Some women indicate that breast-feeding satisfies their sexual need, therefore they are less interested in having their desires filled by their husbands. According to Anne, a mother of two, "my breasts would leak during foreplay, which would embarrass me and I knew it made my husband uncomfortable. We would laugh about it, but it was definitely a distraction."

How to bring back the love, sex, and romance

• Most OB/GYN's suggest waiting four to six weeks, giving the body an opportunity to recover from the birth and the hormones time to return to their normal state. Rushing into intercourse before the tissue has had time to heal can result in pain and bleeding.

Relax:

• The more you worry about the lack of intimacy, the more difficult it will be to regain it. Janet, the mother of four girls says, "After the birth of my second daughter, I worried about everything--the new baby, my two-year-old, my husband. When it came to my sex life, I worried about my lack of interest, feelings of unattractiveness, and guilt about not satisfying him. I was a mess and I felt like I was letting everyone down. It took me about two months before I was able to relax. It was amazing how things started falling into place. My sex life is actually better than it was before."

Lubricate:

• The vaginal area is usually dry during the postpartum period due to the altered hormone levels. You can use lubricating vaginal creams and/or suppositories (KY Jelly, Trimosam, or Replens) until the natural secretions return. There are also prescription medications available that will help to lessen the pain and tenderness.

Exercise:

• Kegel exercises involve tensing the muscles around the vagina and anus, holding for several seconds, then releasing. The repetition of this exercise will help to tone pelvic muscles, which are associated with vaginal sensations. Kegels can benefit both you and your sex life.

Express love in other ways:

• Be creative. There are many ways to express love other than intercourse. Back rubs, cuddling, caressing, and holding hands can be a wonderful way to keep the passion alive until you are ready to "go all the way". "The best way my husband showed me he loved me following the birth of our baby was to sit up with me in the middle of the night while I nursed. We would have some great conversations and it showed me that he was willing to give up his sleep (which is very important to both of us) to be with me." Intimacy without intercourse is often used as an exercise to improve a couple's sex life. Take advantage of this opportunity!

Vary your position:

• This is a great opportunity to find new methods of lovemaking. Experiment to find what positions work best for you. Many women find that the side-to-side position or being on top is most comfortable. It allows them more control over the degree of penetration. This is especially helpful when the perineum is still sore.

Make a date with your spouse:

• You may have come to a time in your life when you revert back to "dating". Anticipating a "date" with your husband can be as exciting as the spontaneous romance you once enjoyed. Mark a time on your calendars (even if it's just for an hour or two) when you will hire a babysitter so that you and your husband can spend time alone. You will probably think and talk about the baby most of the time you are away, but being alone together reminds you that there is another very important person in your life.

Communicate:

• Good communication is a key factor in any healthy relationship, and especially throughout parenthood. Hopefully, open and honest communication patterns have been established prior to the baby's arrival. This will make it easier to communicate your frustrations, expectations, and desires.

Precautions