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Sexuality & Relationships (Expert Forum)
Sex after delivery
Answered by
Janice M Epp, PhD - Female sexual issues, Adolescent sexuality, Male sexual issues
Private Practice
Palo Alto - CA
This forum is for questions and support regarding relationship issues such as: Abstinence, Arousal Problems, Birth Control, Cohabitation, Commitment, Communication, Couples Counseling, Desire /Lack of Desire, Sexual Technique.
Sex after delivery
by galeman, Jun 25, 2008 12:09AM
I had my baby 10m ago. I tore during the delivery and the doctor sewed the area. However since then it feels as though he might of sewn the area up to much. It feels like the vaginal opening is smaller. My husband says that sex feels different. He says it feels like the opening where its sewn is smaller and once he's in my vagina its more open. Not sure. IS this normal or is possible the doctor made too many stitches?
Doctor's Answer
by Janice M Epp, PhD, Jun 27, 2008 02:53PM
, Jun 27, 2008 02:53PM
To: galeman
Hello. When was your last gynecological check-up? If you haven’t had one recently, you should ask your doctor to check the area around the vaginal opening for any post-surgical trauma. It’s not uncommon for women to experience a slight tightening of this area after post-partum surgery. It doesn’t sound like this tightening is causing you any pain or interfering with your sexual enjoyment.
Regarding your vagina feeling “more open”: Pregnancy and childbirth can often result in the weakening of the pelvic muscles, making the vagina a bit looser. Did you do Kegel exercises throughout your pregnancy? If not, you should definitely start now. I advise everyone to do Kegels regularly throughout the life span. They strengthen and tone the musculature of the pelvic area and tighten the vagina and are especially helpful pre- and post-partum.
Kegels are done to strengthen your PC muscle. What’s the PC muscle? This wonderful part of our bodies is a hammock-like muscle, found in both sexes, that stretches from the pubic bone to the coccyx (tail bone) forming the floor of the pelvic cavity and supporting the pelvic organs. It controls urine flow and contracts during orgasm. It aids in urinary control and childbirth. And as an added bonus: A well-developed PC muscle can enhance sex and orgasm in both sexes because the stronger your PC muscle, the stronger (and more pleasurable) your orgasmic contractions will be.
Kegels are easy to do—and fun too! To identify your PC muscle, sit on the toilet and start and then stop the flow of urine. That’s your PC muscle! Kegels consist of flexing and relaxing the PC muscle. In other words, squeeze, hold and release.
Here are some techniques:
Hold and Release: Contract the muscle slowly and hold for 5 seconds, release slowly. Work your way to at least 25 reps two times a day.
Flutter Kegels: Do 15 reps of quick pumps, pause for 30 seconds and repeat. Start at 15 and work your way up to 100 reps two times a day.
And the best thing about Kegels is that you can do them anywhere, anytime. No one can see you. Only YOU know you’re doing them. I usually advise people to associate them with something one does daily—like taking a shower, or riding the bus to work. It’s easy to get in the habit of doing them when you connect them to another activity.
Think of your PC as your “sex muscle.” Keep it toned, and it will serve you well for your entire life. With Pleasure, Dr. J
Regarding your vagina feeling “more open”: Pregnancy and childbirth can often result in the weakening of the pelvic muscles, making the vagina a bit looser. Did you do Kegel exercises throughout your pregnancy? If not, you should definitely start now. I advise everyone to do Kegels regularly throughout the life span. They strengthen and tone the musculature of the pelvic area and tighten the vagina and are especially helpful pre- and post-partum.
Kegels are done to strengthen your PC muscle. What’s the PC muscle? This wonderful part of our bodies is a hammock-like muscle, found in both sexes, that stretches from the pubic bone to the coccyx (tail bone) forming the floor of the pelvic cavity and supporting the pelvic organs. It controls urine flow and contracts during orgasm. It aids in urinary control and childbirth. And as an added bonus: A well-developed PC muscle can enhance sex and orgasm in both sexes because the stronger your PC muscle, the stronger (and more pleasurable) your orgasmic contractions will be.
Kegels are easy to do—and fun too! To identify your PC muscle, sit on the toilet and start and then stop the flow of urine. That’s your PC muscle! Kegels consist of flexing and relaxing the PC muscle. In other words, squeeze, hold and release.
Here are some techniques:
Hold and Release: Contract the muscle slowly and hold for 5 seconds, release slowly. Work your way to at least 25 reps two times a day.
Flutter Kegels: Do 15 reps of quick pumps, pause for 30 seconds and repeat. Start at 15 and work your way up to 100 reps two times a day.
And the best thing about Kegels is that you can do them anywhere, anytime. No one can see you. Only YOU know you’re doing them. I usually advise people to associate them with something one does daily—like taking a shower, or riding the bus to work. It’s easy to get in the habit of doing them when you connect them to another activity.
Think of your PC as your “sex muscle.” Keep it toned, and it will serve you well for your entire life. With Pleasure, Dr. J
