Should I expect vaginal changes after childbirth?

Women and their partners often worry that childbirth will wreak havoc on a woman’s genitals, and her vagina in particular, forever changing their sex life in the process. Every woman’s birth experience is different and the effect on sex after a baby varies, but for the most part, couples find their way back to a satisfying sex life within six months postpartum, though it can take longer with women who continue breastfeeding.

During vaginal childbirth, the vagina expands in size to accommodate the delivery of a baby. Women who have difficult labors may incur damage to the pelvic floor, the network of muscles that support the vagina, and other parts of a woman’s anatomy. Women who tear or have an episiotomy may find the vaginal opening is actually tighter after delivering a child, which can be painful but tends to expand more comfortably with time.

The vast majority of women find that their bodies bounce back within six to twelve months after giving birth. Some women actually respond more easily in bed after having given birth. Many couples explore new positions to find what feels good or leads to orgasm after having a baby. And contrary to popular belief, a C-section does not prevent sexual problems after childbirth. Most women still need to adjust what they do during sex, since hormonal and structural changes still occur as a result of pregnancy and also the postpartum.