We carried out a study on post-partum practices amongst women in Calabar at the maternal and child health clinic at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital between 1March and 31 May 2002. Three hundred women were interviewed. One hundred and ninety-three (64.3%) resumed coitus prior to 6 weeks of puerperium. There was no significant difference in parity (P=0.20) and educational status (P=0.10) between women who resumed coitus earlier than 6 weeks and those who resumed later. One out of every 10women resumed coitus without any contraception. The majority [212 (70.7%)] sat in hot water (sitz bath) to aid perineal wound healing and improve vaginal tone.
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