Painful Sex Post Partum

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2007
Painful Sex Post Partum
3
Thu, 08-16-2007 - 10:24am
Help! I had a baby 4 months ago & experienced a tear during L&D. I am completely healed now, but when my husband tries to penetrate, it is painful for the first 5-10 minutes until I'm stretched out. In an effort to describe the feeling, it's almost like the doctor put one too many stitches in there & it's uncomfortably tight. We have ordered a few vibrators online hoping to use them in foreplay to loosen things up before penetration. They have not arrived yet. Do you think this will help? Anyone else experience this problem? Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
Thu, 08-16-2007 - 7:42pm

Welcome to the board spencersmommy, and congratulations on the delivery of your son!

I didn't have a vaginal deliery, but I did have a lot of discomfort at the site of my c-section for some time. When there was pressure (like bellies rubbing during sex), it felt as if it was pulling from both sides of the incision. When you are cut (or tear) it usually goes through your muscles, so doing kegel exercises might be a bit helpful. As with any muscle, the better toned it is, the more flexibility you have. Mostly, I think it will just take more time.

In the meantime, make sure you're aroused and well lubricated, add some extra lube if need be and have him start more slowly than he might have in the past.



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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2007
Fri, 08-17-2007 - 9:51am

If you tore (as I did delivering a 9 lb baby with no episiotomy) then you probably tore more soft tissue than is normal with an episiotomy. The soft tissue (not muscle) tends to be a lot more tender after healing for a while but generally after 6 months or so the tenderness should ease up. I know it was at least six months before sex didn't irritate the healed skin a little. Do as the others suggested and use a lube for a while to make sure your DH's penis isn't pulling on the newly healed tissue. Take it slow and have faith, mother nature will set you right soon enough!

Grats on the new babe!