Information about contraception and birth control options
Family Planning / Contraception
Let’s talk about sex! While this may be the last thing on the mind of a tired new parent, it is a topic that is important to bring up. There is a wide range in the time after birth to when and how couples have sex again. There are many ways to enjoy physical closeness with or without sexual intercourse. Some couples may not engage in sex for a while, for physical, emotional, or practical reasons. Others may seek this kind of closeness sooner. It varies and it is all okay as long as both partners agree.
This section offers information about sex (or lack thereof), family planning, and hopefully starts a conversation that can continue.
Topics in Family Planning / Contraception
Birth Spacing
Birth Spacing
Some women have very clear ideas about the number of children they hope to have and the amount of time they would like to have between their children. Others are unsure about birth spacing, and others prefer to go with whatever happens. And there are many shades of grey in between! Clinical recommendations for birth […]
Birthing Parent Health Information One-Pager
Birthing Parent Health Information One-Pager
Postpartum recovery red flags and important health information after childbirth page
Childbirth Trauma and Maternal Near-Miss
Childbirth Trauma and Maternal Near-Miss
Childbirth Trauma Giving birth is a powerful experience and the journey often unfolds in ways we might not expect and cannot control. Sometimes women feel that their transition to motherhood is traumatic. This may result from unexpected or unwanted medical interventions during labor and birth and/or postpartum, the speed at which they labored, the way […]
Contraception
Contraception
Birth control may be the last thing on many new parents’ minds. Whether women feel that their family is complete or there are more babies ahead, if sex with a man is in the near future, then contraception is something to consider. For women who are breastfeeding, exploring options for contraception in relation to milk […]
Mood and Feelings
Mood and Feelings
Postpartum Support International is an organization that has wonderful resources and support for new parents. Access free, local or virtual 24/7, anonysous support and information here. Birthing people experience many physical, hormonal, sleep, and relational changes while pregnant and after giving birth. With so much going on it is VERY common for women to have […]
Physical Pain with Sex
Physical Pain with Sex
A lower sex drive after childbirth is common. More than 50% of women at 3 months postpartum and 30% at 6 months postpartum experience less interest in sex than they did before. Being tired, stress, lack of time, infant care needs, feelings around body image, plus physical discomforts often doesn’t result in feeling sexy! Pain […]
Postpartum and Intimacy Checklist
Postpartum and Intimacy Checklist
Tips for health care teams to use while speaking with new moms about sex and intimacy
Postpartum Care Plan
Postpartum Care Plan
Fillable, custom medical care plan for mom to understand recovery and health information from their provider
Postpartum Health & Recovery Video Reel Series
Postpartum Health & Recovery Video Reel Series
Short videos on postpartum health & recovery FAQ
Postpartum Plan for New Parents
Postpartum Plan for New Parents
Like a labor and delivery plan, this is a fillable, custom plan for mom and families to share how they want to be supported after childbirth
Ready for Sex
Ready for Sex
You may or may not feel ready to have sex again shortly after delivery. However, it is recommended that couples wait for the postpartum visit and exam with a health care provider before they have sex. Time for postpartum healing reduces the risk of infection. Of course being cleared to have sex and WANTING to […]
Taking Care of You
Taking Care of You
Postpartum Recovery Booklet on a variety of health and self-care topics
Your Hormones
Your Hormones
During pregnancy, your placenta cranks out the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Some of that progesterone changes into a hormone called allopregnanolone, which binds to a receptor in the brain called GABA. The GABA receptor relaxes you – it’s the same receptor that alcohol and medications like valium bind to. During pregnancy, moms are essentially swimming […]