Most women worry about postpartum sex beginning in pregnancy. During pregnancy, you may have wondered what the effects of the pregnancy on your body and mind (not to mention a new little one) would have on your sex life postpartum. The good news is that many women find that they have better sex lives, just different, after the birth of a baby.

Be patient

As hormone levels decrease after giving birth, it is common for your body to take some time to readjust. If you breastfeed it may take a little longer.

Get enough rest

Rest your body. Delivering and subsequently caring for a baby is a physically exhausting experience. Many women are simply too tired to engage in sexual activity. Find time each day when you can relax by yourself. Exercise, meditate or take a long bath.

Explore your options

Find other ways to express affection. You can be "sexual" without having sexual intercourse. Communicate with your partner on an intimate level by sharing lingering kisses, giving massages or by touching.

It's all in the lubrication

Use a lubricating gel. If you experience vaginal soreness and dryness after giving birth, which can prevent you from enjoying sex, ask your partner to help you apply a lubricating gel. Not only will the gel ease the discomfort, but it's also great foreplay, as well. Make sure you and your partner take enough time to get into the mood and that you're feeling moist enough to handle it.

If you have pain, see your doctor

It can sometimes take time for your tissues to heal. Get an examination to make sure the tissue has healed well.

Kegel exercises

Perform Kegel exercises to tighten your pelvic muscles. This will increase muscle tone, which may influence sexual desire.

Take a bath

Shower together! Or bathe together. Not only will it save time and money for water but you might have a lot of fun.

Just do it!

Be spontaneous! You don't have to wait for bedtime to have sex.

Quality not quantity

It's all about having good fun, quality, not quantity. You don't have to have sex every night, not even every week. Figure out what timing is right for your relationship.

Conversation leads to sex

Talk to each other and discuss fears of sexual intercourse. Maybe you're worried about the repair of an episiotomy or some stitches that you had. Perhaps you're concerned about how your partner feels after watching you give birth.

Only do it when you want to and don't hesitate to say no

Maybe you need the freedom to say no once in a while. Your partner might also need the same freedom. There are also compromises that can be made along the way. Maybe intercourse is out but some good old-fashioned kissing and necking isn't?

Birth control!

Plan for birth control. Don't be someone who is caught two months after the birth of your baby wondering if you got pregnant because you took a chance.

Read more:
Postpartum Sex: When You Should Do it Again
Common Postpartum Problems: Painful Sex After Pregnancy