“I always say sexuality is an evolution throughout the lifespan and postpartum is no different,” says Dr. Rachel Ollivier. Dr. Ollivier is a Nurse Practitioner and clinician scientist, who practices both women's cardiac health and complex gynecology. In this episode, I chat with Dr. Ollivier about sexual health after birth. We discuss what impacts sexual health after birth, the fear of pain when returning to sexual activities postpartum, and the impact of birth on body image. 

Episode outline:

Sexual health after birth 

What impacts your sexual health after birth 

Your identity of being a mother and being a sexual being 

Body image after giving birth and how that impacts your 

How the meaning of your parts of your can change after giving birth (i.e breasts) 

The fear of pain when returning to sexual activities after birth 

Using masturbation to learn what feels safe and comfortable before returning to sex, taking agency with their body to get to know their bodies again 

Postpartum recovery - the importance of getting help and not thinking my body will always look and feel this way after giving birth 

Taboo of masturbation for females 

Pressure from your partner to have sex 

Redefining intimacy and emotional closeness postpartum 

Breaking down the idea of what ‘normal’ sex looks like,

Redefining what sex and pleasure actually means to you 

 How can people cultivate emotional intimacy if they're used to having physical intimacy as the main event?

The six week check - is it a one size fits all?

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✨This episode is sponsored by Embodia https://www.embodiaapp.com/ - use code momstrength to save $20 off your first month’s Tier 3 membership.

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