A mother, who had a baby girl four weeks prior, asked about resuming intimacy with her husband and sought advice on contraception methods that would not affect her baby.
Valentine Njoroge responded, congratulating the new mother and acknowledging the challenges of the postpartum period. She recalled her own experience with her 17-month-old son and the significant physical changes that occur during the first few weeks after giving birth.
According to doctors, women should allow their bodies six weeks to recover before resuming intimate activities. During this time, the pelvis and spine readjust, hormones balance out, and the pelvic floor muscles rest and rearrange after childbirth.
Njoroge suggested waiting another two weeks before engaging in intercourse but recommended alternative intimate activities such as massage, kissing, and cuddling. She also shared an anecdote about a woman whose nipples became highly sensitive due to breastfeeding, allowing her to experience orgasms through nipple play alone.
Contraception Considerations ¶
Njoroge advised caution when considering hormonal contraception methods, as they can affect milk quality and cause fussiness in babies. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months, followed by continued breastfeeding until the child is two years old.
Njoroge shared her personal experience with exclusive breastfeeding for six months and then continuing until her son stopped at one year. She emphasized the importance of finding a breastfeeding approach that works for each family.
