Pregnancy & Baby 

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When can I make love after giving birth?

When I first started practising midwifery in the 1970s, the six-week rule was in effect. Although we recognised that many women had already had intercourse before their six-week check-up and suffered no consequences, the main concern was the possibility of infection.

Research has demonstrated that the cervix is closed by two weeks post-partum, and normal episiotomy incisions and lacerations are well-healed. As a result, I now tell women to have intercourse whenever they feel ready - as long as the red bleeding has stopped. This generally occurs around two weeks post-partum. There are exceptions: women who have had significant blood loss, post-partum fever or infection and women who had extensive extensions of their episiotomies or severe lacerations would probably do best to wait four-to-six weeks before intercourse.

Mothers who are bottle-feeding or breastfeeding with supplementation may be fertile again at two weeks, so I recommend that they use a good method of contraception. If you are at risk of sexually transmitted infections, a condom and gel or foam are recommended.

Women are generally a bit apprehensive the first few times that they make love after giving birth. Extra lubrication, such as KY Jelly, can make lovemaking more comfortable.

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