C Section & Sex

I was just reading another post and noticed a few women said that sex hurt like crazy after their Cesarean births. Well, me too!! I thought it was just me. I don't just mean libido or energy levels - that is a separate but very real issue. I am talking physical. It has been like the first time all over again, just trying to get my body used to it again, as if I got smaller. But I didn't go through labor at all so I assumed it was all in my head. Anyone else with this experience? Does anyone know why? Hormones/physical changes in the pelvic area during pregnancy?

 

I don't know why but that's me! It hurts like heck now and I also had Csec. Its like 10 times worse than the 1st time. I don't even want to try again-im afraid!

 

Yes it hurt a lot! It was like my first time all over, but the more we did it the easier it got. I don't think my DH was able to go all the way in the first time, it was gradual over time. I think I am one of the few who was actually excited to have sex again...we didn't make it to the 6 week mark :FIFblush:. Pregnancy must have done the opposite for me because we are gettin busy every chance we get .

 

The first time was definitely interesting - my LC said to use lots and lots of lubricant which helped and make it a quickie too - too long and it definitely had the potential to get painful. I can't remember how the boys were - maybe 3mos? We also waited until they were sleeping consistently so we wouldn't interrupted!! My boys are 10mos and its much better now.

 

Yup, I had a c-section. I thought sex wouldn't be painful since no babies exited there. wrong! I found it really painful. We took it slow and used lubricant. It still took a number of months before it started to feel better. But it will happen.

 

It hurt like crazy for me too. Still does sometimes. I keep waiting for it to feel better.

 

Hormones affect you and cause you to produce less lubricant...so using a lubricant helps. Also, the pressure from carrying two babies can make everything swollen down there. My nurse in the hospital said I was swollen like a woman who had pushed for awhile...and I didn't push a bit - straight to c-section for me. Takes awhile for things to get back in place, etc....but with time, it does feel better Took me while to work back into the swing of things, but now its better than ever (helps that babies are sleeping better and I'm not as exhausted as I was in those early days!!).

Good luck...hope it feels better soon

 

I had a c-section and had the exact same experience - it hurt waaay more than my first time! We used lots of lube and there was defo foreplay beforehand so I can't account for the pain. And it wasn't just after initial penetration: it kept on hurting and he wasn't even all the way in. I was not expecting that at all. We have only attempted sex once since the babies were born and after that experience I am not keen to try again anytime soon. Not to mention I have only lost half my pregnancy weight so far (I gained 55lbs) and my belly looks hideous, which certainly decreases my urge to get it on. My poor DH is having a rough time because we used to have an active sex life so I know we should keep at it. Maybe it will just take practice???

 

I don't notice pain much anymore, but sometimes cramps afterward... also, my incision scar has some nerve damage and gets painful during s** due to rubbing against my DH's body. {sigh}

 

Me too!!!

DH and I are still working on it and the girls are 5months old!!! I've had the same experience as everyone else, hurts like heck even with lube. We had to give up the first few tries because it was just too much. Now we're doing a bit better. Still painful and can only do it in like one position, but at least we're able to go all the way!
I was so confused as to why it would be so painful, as I had a c-section as well....I thought sex would feel totally normal. This was a big surprise.
Now I'm curious how prevelant this is....and why doesn't anyone warn you!?!

Melissa

 

It's painful for me as well after my c-section. I also had a tubiligation.

I recommend taking it very slowly, lots of lubricant, foreplay, and make sure you have lots of time.

It's becoming easier each time for me.

I can't say that I wouldn't have had the c-section. That was the only way they could be delivered for me. Little or no sex right now isn't a big price to pay for my kids. The husband has other priorities right now. Usually he's the first to worry about the kids! :laughing:

 

I was very uncomfortable during sex for most of the first year. I can say that after that year though things went back to normal. There is hope ladies!!

 

I posted this on the other thread as well. After my singleton (c-section) sex was very dry and painful until I discovered Replens. Regular lubricants didn't help at all, but Replens seemed to get into the tissues and make them moist where other lubricants just sat on top of dry tissue. Might be worth a try...

 

Yes, it was very painful!! It took about 6 months to feel like normal again, I stopped BFing at that point so it might be related. My recommendation is to use lots of lube and take your time.

 

I had a c-section with my 1st DD and didn't really have to many issues with sex. We actually started at 4 weeks instead of waiting to 6 weeks but I also enjoyed sex all through my entire pregnancy.

This time when I hit about 27 weeks I didn't want to anymore and by the time I hit 34 weeks I didn't want ANYTHING to do with Dh and sex lol. So now after reading all this (and being 2 weeks PP) I'm worried the pressure from the twins may have made things a little off down there. I know I was pretty swollen towards the end (baby A kicked the living daylights out of my cervix too!). I'm glad to hear it gets better and that there are ways to ease into it. Now I'm wondering if we are going to have issues with sex that I didn't have with my 1st c-section.


Can anyone tell me if they had pain with a singleton and twins or just the twins?

 

I didn't have any pain with sex post-pardum. I did have a lot of pressure towards the end, but had no issues PP. I only was able to for about 10 days since DH deployed when the girls were 6 weeks so maybe I would have issues now? I guess I won't know until he gets back!

 

I have had three c-sections - two singletons, plus twins 9/09 - and have never had any pain associated with getting frisky. I also have never breastfed - I wonder if that has anything to do with it? I thought I read somewhere that it reduces the amount of lubrication down there ... I know it comes in bottled form, too, the lubrication, but it's not exactly the same, in my opinion.

 

I breastfeed and had a c-section. its my only pregnancy/delivery and I don't know any different, but sex was very painful for many many many months. like maybe 8 or more, maybe until my cycle! I was told that bf'ing produces different hormones and that would be the cause. I got my cycle back when the babies were 11 months old, and I know since then its been back to normal, and even better. it totally is all lack of lubrication and dryness related to me. my poor dh, I wouldn't let him "go in all the way" for a looooong time... I mean months! it really hurt.

Interesting about Replens, if I get so lucky to deliver another baby, I'll be sure to put that on my shopping list!

 

I had a vaginal birth with my singleton son and breastfed. That time, sex was relatively uncomfortable because of dryness and stayed that way until I stopped nursing. ALthough, there was no pain.

With my girls, I had a c/s and the pain was CRAZY. Hurt so bad! I b/f the girls as well and do have the dryness issue, which is a pain, but there is also a physical pain too...like being a virgin again! I think it might have to do with the weight of two babies, two placentas, two amniotic bags...but I'm not a doctor so this is a total guess!