Founder and Editor of Hello Postpartum: Carley Schweet
Carley Schweet is the founder and editor of Hello Postpartum, a website that provides free, postpartum expert-created content for life after birth. After the birth of her first child, she realized what a lack of resources there was for postpartum parents, so she created it herself. Today, Hello Postpartum reaches tens of thousands of new parents monthly. She is a published author, and her work has been featured on platforms such as Bustle, Forbes, MindBodyGreen, and more.
Here she answers the Mama Sex Six:
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the phrase "mama sex"?
The first word that comes to mind is "pressure." When they hit the magic six-week mark, there is such an immense pressure on newly postpartum moms to bounce back to their pre-baby selves - sex life included. The problem is, there's nothing magical about that number. For many who have given birth, their body is still healing and adjusting, and there may be lingering mental and emotional healing from birth trauma, etc., that needs to happen.
What inspired you to work/create/advocate on the topic of "mama sex"?
My work for Hello Postpartum stemmed from feeling utterly unprepared for life after the birth of my first child. I realized a vast lack of support for new mothers centered around postpartum specifically. Within the umbrella, there is an even more significant void of information on how a baby can impact your relationships of all kinds - personally, intimately, and beyond.
In your work/practice/art, what are the biggest hurdles mothers are facing in terms of their sexuality?
When talking to community members and contributors for Hello Postpartum, the biggest hurdles I hear about mothers facing are how a baby impacts the inner workings of a relationship and what a shock that is for many. Quite quickly - overnight - the birthing person takes on a new role as "mother," which can feel like an extreme shift of identity and come with vast feelings of overwhelm. Here, communication and trust are quickly put to the test, which, ultimately, can impact the intimate side of a relationship. Not to mention the extreme changes and demands a postpartum body undergo which can feel challenging to accept at times and negatively impact feelings of sexuality.
What do you think society at large should know about motherhood and sexuality? And what is society getting wrong right now in regards to it?
That it often takes more than six weeks for a mother to be ready for sex and intimacy for many, many reasons. There are so many factors that are often overlooked and forgotten including body acceptance issues, birth trauma, feelings of burnout, feelings of being touched out, exhaustion, etc. As a whole, we need to change how we talk about being "cleared for sex at six weeks" through validation and communication of what a mother might actually be feeling at the time.
What piece of sex advice would you give mothers? Was there something you wish someone had told you?
There's nothing wrong with you if you don't want to have sex at six, ten, or even twelve weeks postpartum, especially for those who are breastfeeding. Your body is working hard in many ways to heal, recover, and sustain human life (not just yours!). Give yourself some grace and allow yourself to step back into sex when you are ready and on your own terms. Make sure to communicate clearly to your partner how you are feeling, what your concerns are, and remind them of the immense changes you are experiencing.
Let's amplify our voice: Who are some mamas you love following on social media?
@drveronicaeyo
@thehonestpeach
@thewtftrimester
More About Hello Postpartum:
At Hello Postpartum, we aim to create an accessible community where everyone can access postpartum education, research-backed articles, and support tools. Here you’ll find helpful interviews, infographics, articles, and more created by midwives, OB-Gyns, doulas, postpartum nurses, mental health therapists, etc. We aim to facilitate thoughtful conversations and validate experiences through our expert-created resources.
https://hellopostpartum.com/
https://www.instagram.com/hellopostpartum
https://www.pinterest.com/hellopostpartum
