sex after give birth

From my experience, I had intercourse during my confinement period. My bleeding stopped at 1 week sharp after birth. I waited for at least 3 weeks or so. It was still dry at first and quite painful. Do not force yourself if you can't okay. My pain tolerance is quite high, I don't mind about the pain... I'm just afraid that the stitches will come off since I had vaginal delivery and had 18 stitches! Normally after a month onwards, you won't feel much pain. Its just too dry, the reason it's pain.