It is a moment often considered the most wonderful. The birth of a child is very often a moment of happiness for the parents but also of anxiety. Immersed in parenthood, the latter also wonder how their couple can still exist when childbirth upsets their balance, especially sexual. In the show Well done for youCaroline Le Roux, midwife and sexologist and author of The truth about sex after babygives her advice for dealing with postpartum sexuality.
Take his time
That’s the key word: time. After childbirth, many women have to deal with a new body, with the worry of seeing their partner no longer be attracted. For their part, fathers are also invaded by questions after the birth of the baby. ‘Am I going to hurt him? Would I have the same feelings?’ For Caroline Le Roux, the priority is to allow time.
“There is no time limit for resuming a sexual life from the moment the sons are no longer there. So theoretically, ten days later, we can have a report. But you have to want to. And it’s only when the mother wants her to resume intercourse”, explains the sexologist at the microphone of Europe 1.
Discuss with your partner or with a professional
“In general, it is said that sexuality takes the time of a pregnancy to return”, explains Caroline Le Roux. For the sexologist and author of the book The truth about sex after baby, it is after the ninth month without libido that you have to worry. “If you can’t be penetrated, then you have to be able to consult, or simply talk about it. Freeing up to speak can also do them good,” she says.
A dialogue that she also wants men to engage in: “Men question themselves in particular about their sensations,” she explains, assuring that there will be almost no differences in sensations between before and after the ‘childbirth. But for the sexologist, it is important that men can also ask their questions and expose their concerns on the subject, to find a fulfilling sexuality.
Use lubricant
Once the libido has been regained, a major ally can facilitate the resumption of sexual life: the lubricant. “You may want less, have less libido because you’re tired, because there are a lot of things going on with the baby, and well, the lubricant can help. Already, first of all, to tell yourself ‘it’s better lubricated, so normally I would have less pain or not at all’. And it can reassure the man too, who often worries about hurting his partner”, explains Caroline Le Roux.
“So lube is great,” exclaims the sex therapist and author of The truth about sex after baby.