Decreasing postpartum sexual abstinence time.

Postpartum sexual abstinence time can be safely shortened for most patients when episiotomy repair is done meticulously with fine PGA suture on small needles. The time preferred by patients for resumption of intercourse seems to be between the second and third postpartum week. We have seen no ill effects from this, and we feel that sexual intercourse at these early dates does not influence the healing of the episiotomy in any way.