Patient's question:
How many days after giving birth can a couple have sexual intercourse?Doctor's answer:
Hello, the period after childbirth within 6 weeks is called the puerperium. During this time, the body of the postpartum woman will gradually return to its pre-pregnancy state, except for the breasts, especially the reproductive organs. The enlarged uterus gradually shrinks and returns to a size close to that of the non-pregnant uterus about 6 weeks postpartum. The dilated cervix gradually closes within about two weeks. The endometrium needs about 3 weeks postpartum to regenerate and repair. The placental separation site heals slowly, requiring about 6 weeks to fully repair. The vaginal rugae begin to reappear about 3 weeks postpartum, but the tension of the pelvic floor and vaginal walls takes longer to recover.As the uterus involution occurs, blood sinuses close, and the endometrium heals, blood, necrotic decidua, and other discharge are expelled from the vagina, known as lochia. Normally, the blood components gradually decrease, turning into white lochia after about 2 weeks, and then it continues for 1-2 weeks before stopping. Therefore, during the puerperium, especially within the first month postpartum, sexual activity should be avoided to prevent ascending infections.