How To Make

While it is advisable to wait four to six weeks postpartum before resuming sexual activity, remember that a new mum feels lowered libido for weeks, and for good reason

- Aarti Pathak

It’s the hormones at work. A woman’s body at this time is focussing predominantly on healing itself, and on breastfeeding. Add to that lowered estrogen levels which lead to menopausal symptoms for a few weeks, like lowered sexual drive and vaginal dryness. If a woman is breastfeeding, then her nursing releases oxytocin, the happy hormone, which triggers the maternal happy feelings towards her baby, but it also suppresses her libido. Keeping sexual drive low is possibly nature’s way of preventing another pregnancy too soon.

The sheer exhaustion of being a new mum is responsible as well! Carrying a baby for nine months, delivering her and then timely feeding and lack of sleep can be exhausting both mentally and physically, leaving absolutely no scope for intimacy. There are body image issues as well. Sometimes, new mums feel conscious about the weight gained after pregnancy, the stretch marks and the tummy. Nothing that a little body acceptance and appreciation along with a little shopping for clothes-that-complement cannot handle.