How the Vagina Changes After ChildBirth
We all know that the vagina is an amazing organ that can give you pleasure and bring babies into the world. However most men an women are not prepared to handle the changes that comes with it post pregnancy and childbirth.
During and after your pregnancy, your body will go through a number of changes this includes your vagina. You and your partner should be prepared to manage these changes.
Some of these changes can be pretty scary if you don’t know what to expect, and you can worsen them by not taking action or by taking the wrong one.
Here are some of the changes that your vagina will go through after childbirth, and how you can manage them.
What are these changes?
Wider Vagina
When you are pregnant, there is an increase in hormones such as progesterone and estrogen. These help to prepare the vagina for childbirth and keep the baby healthy.
When it is almost time for the baby to enter the world, these hormones help to loosen pelvic muscles and the vagina in preparation for childbirth. During childbirth, the vagina and pelvic muscles undergo considerable stretching and strain as the baby emerges. When this happens, the size of the vagina will increase to accommodate delivery.
Although the vagina is elastic, meaning it can stretch and return to its original shape, vaginal birth will loosen it up considerably. After some time, it will reduce in size, but it will not return to its original size. More babies means more looseness.
Now, this does not mean that your vagina will be wide like the ocean. It just means that it will be slightly slacker than usual. For instance, if you wore a slim tampon before giving birth, you will find that it might slide out after giving birth, and you will have to go a size or two up.
Because if this, sex might not feel the same for you or your partner. Most man will not dear utter the words to their partner. But chances are if you are not feeling it, it probably isn’t either.
Vaginal dryness
It is normal to feel dryness in your vagina after the childbirth. The dryness in the vagina is due to the estrogen levels in your body.
Estrogen plays a crucial role in the development of the female reproductive system. It is also responsible for maintaining the mucous membranes in the vagina which help to keep the vagina lubricated.
During pregnancy, these levels rise, and lubrication is increased to help strengthen vaginal walls and prepare the vagina for childbirth. After childbirth, estrogen levels drop to enable lactation. This will result in a decrease in lubrication and a new mother will experience vaginal dryness. This can even result in vaginal tissues shrinking and becoming thinner.
Soreness in Perineum
The perineum is that bit of skin that separates the vagina and the anus. When giving birth, the perineum can tear, or your doctor or midwife may perform what is known as an episiotomy. This is a surgical cut made to allow the baby to pass through the vagina easier.
After giving birth, the perineum is stitched in order to facilitate healing. During this time, there will be a considerable amount of pain, discomfort, and soreness. Depending on the seriousness of the tear, the perineum can take anywhere from four weeks to more than twelve weeks to heal.
Uncomfortable Sex
After giving birth, most doctors will tell you to wait for at least 6 weeks for your vagina to heal before having sex, but anytime beyond that time is entirely up to you, and when you feel comfortable.
For most women, their sex drive will be completely gone, and that will be the first obstacle for having sex for the first time after giving birth. This is completely normal.
Secondly, the decline in estrogen production means that the vagina will be way too dry, so sex won’t be fun, and can be quite uncomfortable. Having sex with a dry vagina can also cause additional tears and cuts.
Thirdly, scar tissue in the vagina may not have healed yet. Having sex will only cause irritation and cause you to feel some serious pain. This can even put you at risk of infection.
Finally, even you are all healed, sex might not feel the same. This happens because the pelvic floor is weakened significantly after childbirth and will need to be strengthened through exercise.
Temporary Urinary Incontinence
Childbirth weakens your pelvic muscles. These muscles are responsible for supporting the internal organs and controlling the sphincters of the vagina, anus, and urethra, allowing us to pass or prevent the release of feces and urine.
Since these muscles are weakened, you will find that you can suffer from temporary urinary incontinence, meaning that it will be harder for you to hold your pee, and you can experience bladder leakages. This means that simple activities such as walking, laughing or even sneezing can cause you to pee yourself. It can even happen randomly even when you’re practically doing nothing.
Menstrual changes
After giving birth, your period starts around five or six weeks later and can stop completely during breastfeeding.
The first periods will be irregular, and you can experience spotting between periods. Your period may be heavier or lighter, depending on the estrogen levels in the body. Where estrogen levels are low, the uterine lining builds slowly, giving you a lighter period. If they are high, the lining thickens quickly, and your period will be heavier than before.
Period cramps may be stronger than before you were pregnant, and you may even see small blood clots in your period.
How can I manage these changes?
While finally meeting your bundle of joy will temporarily make you forget about all that you endured during childbirth, these symptoms will linger on and you will have to deal with them sooner or later.
Here are some ways you can effective manage and overcome these changes:
Pelvic floor exercises
Otherwise known as kegel exercises, pelvic floor exercises are designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and overcome some of these changes.
To do this, you will first have to locate your pelvic floor muscles. These are the muscles you would use to hold your pee or avoid passing gas in public. From there, all you have to do is contract these muscles and release them in 5-second bursts for about 10 minutes. You may also use vaginal weights or cones to help tone your pelvic floor muscles.
If you experience any difficulty with doing this exercise or feel painor discomfort, stop and consult your doctor. He/she will guide you through the process.
These exercises can help with your widened vagina and cure your urinary incontinence. They can also help to make sex more pleasurable.
Vaginal lubricants and moisturizers
Vaginal lubricants can be used during sex, to compensate for the lack of moisture. This will decrease pain and discomfort and will reduce your chances of vaginal injury.
Vaginal moisturizers are a long-term solution for vaginal dryness and are used to ease the discomfort that can come with vaginal dryness such as itching and burning sensations. These moisturizers are applied daily, ta few days a week, or as needed, until the vagina returns to its normal state.
Ice packs, numbing sprays, and warm water soaks
Applying an ice pack to the perineum can help to ease soreness, as will warm water soaks. Your doctor may also prescribe a numbing agent to decrease pain and discomfort.
Pads
To deal with a heavier period, your best option is using a pad. Inserting a tampon or a menstrual cup can be uncomfortable, and can be too bothersome to change.
To treat cramps, you are better off asking your doctor which medication will be best for you.
Consult your doctor
These changes are expected, but if they become too painful or unbearable, you must consult your doctor. You should also consult your doctor if certain changes, such as vaginal dryness persist long after you have stopped breastfeeding.
This will help to rule out any postpartum complications, and he/she will be able to find a treatment suited to your needs.
Final Word
Your body, and most importantly your vagina, is bound to undergo a number of changes due to childbirth. You have to give yourself an ample amount of time to recover from these changes.
During this time, you can start kegel exercises or yoga which can help your vagina to recover by strengthening the pelvic floor. You can also use moisturizers or lube to combat dryness, and make sex more enjoyable.
If you experience abnormal pain or discomfort, be sure to inform your doctor. That way, he/she can figure out a way to help you cope with these changes.
