How soon after birth can sexual relations be resumed?

by Rabbi Naftali Silberberg

Library » Intimacy » Family Purity | Subscribe | What is RSS? PRINT EMAIL COMMENT The Torah says1 that marital relations are forbidden for one week after giving birth to a boy and after two weeks after a girl. After that period of time the woman may go to the Mikvah and resume intimate relations for another 33 days for a boy and 66 days for a girl -- even if she sees blood (during these days any blood is called "dam tohar" - pure blood). A woman remains impure after childbirth untill she has seven clean days (which usually takes between 4-10 weeks) After this period, the flow of blood would once again cause the woman to be ritually impure. Due to technical reasons (some women are "yoledet b'zov"), the rabbis instituted that even during the 40 (or 80) day period of purity a woman who sees blood should abstain from all sexual relations. Therefore, practically speaking, a woman remains impure after childbirth until she has seven "clean" days (this usually takes between 4-10 weeks). Footnotes 1. Leviticus chapter 12. ADD A COMMENT Please email me when new comments are posted (you must be  logged in). RELATED CATEGORIES Life Cycle » Birth » The Laws Life Cycle » Marriage » Family Purity » The Laws Email to a friend Post a comment cancel Loading...