Pregnancy does a number to our hormones (and bodies) leaving some of us feeling less than our best. While it is completely fine to be “turned off” during pregnancy, some may be wishing that it wasn’t so. If you are reading this and thinking, “I miss sex. I miss the sexual connection and the orgasms and all of it, but UGGGGH I just have no desire to go through with it” then keep reading.

For a lot of women, the libido falls during pregnancy and just doesn’t seem to recover afterward. I’m dividing this article into two sections: Pregnancy and the Early Postpartum Stage (4-6 months after baby). Note: There could be a bigger issue at hand with a low libido. Talk to your doctor about your concerns.

The Basics

Taking a prenatal vitamin throughout childbearing years is important and will help keep hormones balanced. The quality of the vitamin is the true importance, as one filled with dyes, sugars, and chemicals will not effectively aid the body.

Check to see that your vitamin contains the mineral Boron. (Boron is involved in sex hormone production and has been shown to raise blood levels of estrogen and testosterone, especially in older women. Increased intakes have been shown to boost testosterone levels within one week.)

Low levels of chromium, magnesium, selenium and zinc deficiencies are also linked with lowered sex drive.

Foods that Boost Libido

• Grapefruit
• Avocado
• Bananas
• Ginger
• Saffron
• Fennel
• Arugula
• Celery
• Dark Chocolate
• Oysters
• Almonds
• Pinenuts
• Pineapple
• Wine (in moderation, of course)
• Nutmeg
• Cardamom
• Cloves

Scents and Flowers

• Sandalwood
• Vanilla
• Jasmine
• Geranium
• Lavender
• Pine
• Cypress
• Rose
• Ylang-ylang

During Pregnancy

Talk to your midwife about any herbs before you take them. Often, you are just too tired and have lost that loving feeling while growing another human. Here are a few ways to boost your libido:

• Include the libido boosting foods in your diet and do away with GMO foods, soy, and sugar.
• Wear Something Sexy – Whatever that may mean to you.
• Flirt – There is no way that you will be in the mood without the words and touching that should happen first.
• Talk about Sex – Keep your partner in the loop. Let him know how you are feeling. Let him seduce you.
• Masturbate (Alone or Together) – Reaching orgasm will help the body crave it more often.
• Make Out – Yep, like you are in high school. Doing this a few nights in a row may start to make the body crave more.
• Kegels – DO YOUR EXERCISES! A stronger pelvic floor makes sex more enjoyable.
• Take your (High Quality) Prenatal Vitamins – They will help keep the body in check.
• Talk to your Midwife about Supplements
• Limit Caffeine - too much caffeine can wreak havoc on the endocrine system, especially if there are other hormone stressors involved like pregnancy. (The endocrine system is what drives your sexual desires.)
• Eat Well – Include as many of the above mentioned foods, eliminating soy, GMO’s, and processed foods that are known to lower sex drive.
• Get Good Sleep – Get your rest, let the body have the energy to enjoy a good roll in the bed.

Early Postpartum

It takes a while to rebalance the hormones of the body after giving birth. It is typical to not desire sex, or even to fear it after birth, but there are ways to help. If you are breastfeeding, it is known that while the body produces milk, the libido can naturally decrease.

• Take Care of Yourself – You need to “fill your cup.” If you are not happy with yourself, you are not going to desire sex.
• Cut Out the Sugar - High levels of sugar in your bloodstream can turn off the gene that controls your sex hormones.
• Lose the Soy - Many studies have shown that soy's estrogenic isoflavones interfere with the production and usage of testosterone in your body.
• Sleep – A newborn deprives you of sleep, but trying to get in as much rest as possible will aid the libido.
• Exercise –Get the blood flowing, toxins sweating out of the body, oxygenated blood pumping to all the sexual parts!
• Eat Whole Foods – Include the mentioned foods, but make sure you are well all around.
• Relax and De-stress – Find a hobby of your own; this will reduce cortisol levels and improve sex drive.
• Increase Vaginal Fluids – Insert a vitamin E capsule daily to help the area produce more lubrication.
• Check any prescription side effects – Many medications have effects on your sexual health.