In this article, you will find out:
- Why sex can change after giving birth, and the role of the pelvic floor in your sex life.
- How postnatal pelvic floor rehabilitation works, in clinic and at home, to restore a functional pelvic floor.
- When to have sex again after birth, and 4 tips for a fulfilling sex life after your baby arrives.
Having a baby turns life upside down, physically and emotionally, and in your relationship too. Reconnecting with your partner is not always easy when your body has been through childbirth and may still bear some of its effects. Your pelvic floor is one of the things to consider when getting back to a fulfilling sex life after birth.
Why does sex change after giving birth?
What role does the pelvic floor play in sex?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the base of the pelvis. Like a hammock, it supports the pelvic organs: the bladder, uterus and rectum. It also plays a part in continence and in intimate sensation.
To work well, the pelvic floor needs to be both flexible and toned. Hormonal changes or damage to the muscle tissue can make it less functional.
How do pregnancy and childbirth affect the pelvic floor?
During pregnancy, your baby's weight presses more and more on the pelvic floor as it grows. This is why the pelvic floor is put under strain whatever the type of birth, including a caesarean. A pelvic floor that has never been trained may give way more easily under this strain.
During a vaginal birth, an episiotomy (a cut in the perineum to help the baby out and reduce the risk of a severe tear) or a natural tear can also affect the pelvic floor and make the first times you have sex feel more sensitive.
How does postnatal pelvic floor rehabilitation work?
It is normal to need to strengthen your pelvic floor again after giving birth. According to the French recommendations of ANAES (now the Haute Autorité de Santé), pelvic floor rehabilitation begins after the postnatal check, 6 to 8 weeks after birth. It is not systematic: it is prescribed according to the symptoms you describe or that are identified during this check (ANAES, 2002).
If you do a sport that puts a lot of strain on the pelvic floor, or if you are overweight, it is worth raising this at your postnatal check, as your pelvic floor is under more pressure. To find out more, read our article on sport and the pelvic floor.
What methods are used for pelvic floor rehabilitation?
In clinic, rehabilitation can draw on different methods. The healthcare professional supporting you decides which is most suitable for your situation.
- Electrical stimulation: a vaginal probe sends mild electrical impulses that make the pelvic floor contract. After childbirth, the ANAES recommendations consider it prudent to avoid it, because childbirth often causes nerve damage and the current may delay nerve regeneration. Find out more in our article on pelvic floor electrical stimulation.
- Biofeedback: you contract your pelvic floor yourself. A biofeedback pelvic floor trainer captures the strength and duration of the contraction and gives you real-time visual feedback.
How can you continue pelvic floor training at home?
Alongside clinic sessions, it is helpful to keep working on your pelvic floor at home, and not only during the postnatal period.
Emy Trainer is a connected biofeedback pelvic floor trainer and a CE-marked medical device. Paired with the Emy app, it guides you through playful exercises on your smartphone at home and shows you straight away whether you are activating your pelvic floor. Because it is wireless, you can stay dressed during your session. Emy Trainer can be used from 7 weeks after giving birth at the earliest, with the agreement of your midwife or doctor, and never during pregnancy.
A clinical study carried out at Strasbourg University Hospital assessed Emy Trainer with more than 50 patients experiencing stress urinary incontinence: after 3 months of using Emy Trainer, 98% of participants reported an improvement in their quality of life (Jochum et al., 2021).
Find out more about Emy Trainer
What are the signs of a weak pelvic floor?
When it is not toned enough, the pelvic floor can become weak. This can lead to urinary leaks, sexual difficulties or, in more significant cases, pelvic organ prolapse: a cystocele when the bladder is affected and a rectocele when the rectum is affected. If in doubt, see your GP or midwife.
How are the pelvic floor and sex linked after giving birth?
A functional pelvic floor contributes to a fulfilling sex life. A pelvic floor that is too tight or too slack can reduce sexual pleasure. For example, difficulty contracting your pelvic floor during penetration can weaken sensations and orgasms.
When can you have sex again after giving birth?
There is no single answer. It is often advised to wait 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth before having sex again, so that your body has time to recover. Your postnatal check is a good time to talk about it.
Every woman's postnatal recovery is different. Wait until you feel comfortable physically and emotionally, for example until any episiotomy has fully healed. Let desire return without pressure and give yourself time.
4 tips for a fulfilling sex life after giving birth
- 🗣️ Talk to your partner: share your needs, worries and expectations, and take time to adjust together to this new stage.
- 💕 Be patient with each other: affection and tenderness help desire and intimacy return gradually.
- 🛌 Choose comfortable positions that put less strain on your pelvic floor during this period.
- ⏳ Go at your own pace: getting back to sex can be gradual. Listen to your body and do not rush.
If you have ongoing pain during sex, talk to your midwife or GP.
Key takeaways on the pelvic floor and sex after birth
- Pregnancy and childbirth put heavy strain on the pelvic floor, which can change sensation and sex.
- Pelvic floor rehabilitation begins after the postnatal check (6 to 8 weeks), is decided according to your symptoms and can continue at home.
- Emy Trainer supports rehabilitation at home using biofeedback, from 7 weeks after giving birth at the earliest and never during pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions about sex after giving birth
When can I have sex after giving birth?
It is often advised to wait 4 to 6 weeks, but there is no single answer. The key is to feel ready, physically and emotionally, and to wait until any episiotomy or tear has fully healed.
Why does sex feel different after giving birth?
Pregnancy and childbirth put strain on the pelvic floor, which may be less toned or more sensitive. Tiredness, hormonal changes and new family life also affect desire. If you have ongoing pain, see your midwife or GP.
When does pelvic floor rehabilitation start after giving birth?
According to the ANAES recommendations, pelvic floor rehabilitation begins after the postnatal check, 6 to 8 weeks after birth. It is prescribed according to your symptoms.
When can I use Emy Trainer after giving birth?
From 7 weeks after giving birth at the earliest, with the agreement of your midwife or doctor. Emy Trainer must not be used during pregnancy.
Sources
- Rééducation dans le cadre du post-partum, Synthèse des recommandations, ANAES – Service des recommandations professionnelles, Décembre 2002 – has-sante.fr
- Pelvic Floor Muscle Rehabilitation Using Biofeedback, Diane Kaschak Newman, July 2014, Urologic Nursing 34(4):193-202 – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25233622
- Prospective evaluation of the connected biofeedback EMY Kegel trainer in the management of stress urinary incontinence, Jochum F et al., February 2022, Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction 51(2):102280 – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34861424
