Six Weeks Off

I remember being in childbirth preparation classes as a first-time mom. The instructor was discussing postpartum healing and highly recommended taking six weeks off from intercourse after the arrival of the baby. It seemed like all the husbands in the room gasped collectively, while all the moms-to-be released sighs of relief. The instructor continued her lesson, emphasizing that while we're NOT connecting in that specific physical way, it was CRITICAL to connect in various other ways (including physically). She warned us that entirely ignoring each other just because sex was off limits would potentially be a major stressor that would show up in other ways. She encouraged us to heighten our ability to care for one another in every aspect of our relationship! My husband took that advice seriously and feels like those six weeks off after each baby actually strengthen our marriage because of not having the "default" mode of showing love through sex.