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Questions and Answers

Q. How many days rest is needed after a normal delivery?. If there is any complication during pregnancy and delivery, what extra care should I give to my wife? Also, when can I start to have sex with my wife after a normal delivery? Thank you.

A. Your wife will need a lot of rest, healthy food, and support during the first six weeks after birth. If there is an extensive episiotomy or cesarean birth then she will need more time to recover from the surgery. You can help by doing the chores around the house, taking care of other children, taking care of the baby's daily needs, and talking to your wife.

As for when to resume sex there is not a pat answer. Generally we tell women to wait at least six weeks after birth to ensure that they have healed internally, but you also need to remember that a baby just came out of her vagina or in the case of a cesarean she just had major abdominal surgery.

I usually say that you should talk to your practitioner, or at least wait until she is willing and her bleeding has stopped completely.

Cyndi Klausing, RN, ACCE, has been a childbirth educator and breastfeeding counselor for over 18 years. She currently works as a newborn nursery nurse and is the mother of four sons.

Cyndi will answer your questions on fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. Her advice does not take the place of your practitioner. Personal answers will not always be possible.