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Sex at 3 Weeks Postpartum Too Soon?

QUESTION

I am 3 weeks postpartum. I had an easy labor and delivery and my recovery has been pretty smooth as well. Even with a newborn and a 4-year-old at home I have felt really good and my husband and I decided to have sex last night.

We took it slow (for fear of it hurting). It was great. I wasn't sure what to expect as far as bleeding or spotting but I had no spotting right after or in the morning with when I woke up.

Then this afternoon I had bright red bleeding. It didn't "fill" a pad but it was enough to cause me concern. Should I call my doctor or wait for Monday?

ANSWER

This is just your body's way of saying it wasn't time for intercourse yet. You will need to wait until the bleeding is completely stopped for at least three days (preferably a week) before you try again.

I wouldn't think this is anything to worry about unless the bleeding gets heavier. What is more likely is that it will gradually go away, and then, after you've been dry for a while, you will actually be finished with the pregnancy and can resume all forms of exercise and other activities.

~Cynthia

Cynthia Flynn

Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, is the General Director of the Family Health and Birth Center which provides prenatal, birth, postnatal, gynecological and primary health care to underserved women and their families in Washington, D.C. Recently Cynthia served as Associate Professor of Nursing at Seattle University. There she not only taught, but remained in full scope clinical midwifery practice at Valley Medical Center where she cared for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.

Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.