The good news: You will recover from childbirth.
The bad: Your sex life may not -- at least not right away. Researchers at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, studied sets of twin sisters and found that sexual satisfaction was higher for the childless twin than the mom twin. The reason? Psychological factors like the responsibility of raising a child are to blame. "Women often get preoccupied with their new role and sidetracked by the sheer energy it requires," says sex expert Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D., a professor of sociology at the University of Washington in Seattle. "It takes a while before they respond sexually as they did before." Here's how to speed things up:
Put a limit on co-sleeping. Sharing a bed (safely) may feel right initially, but at some point it's important to give yourself a space where you and your partner can have intimate adult time, Schwartz says.
Declare the bedroom a baby-free zone. Even if it isn't sex central, clearing out the teethers and toys (your baby's toys, that is) can help create a more sensuous area.
Make time to unwind. It's hard to shift gears from making bottles to making out. Give yourself a chance to relax with your partner and you may find that you're actually (gasp!) in the mood.
