Tell me about the post-childbirth vagina

[Inquiringmind]

Well, I'm embarrassed to be asking this question, but I'm a first time mom and don't have anyone else in real life to ask. So, how different does a vagina feel post-childbirth....as in, if you're palpating it? I can't figure out if what I'm experiencing is normal post-childbirth stuff or if I may have some sort of issues going on (like a prolapse of some sort) that I need to talk to my doctor about.

[kittywitty]

You should ask your doc if you think it may be prolapse. There are pics online you can google, too. You are only about 3/4 months postpartum. I would give it awhile, things go back more to normal with time.

[Inquiringmind]

I've been googling like crazy! I just can't figure it out and I don't want to go to the doctor just to have them say "oh, this is typical post-childbirth." I'm not really having any serious symptoms right now, so I don't know if I should bother making an appointment or wait and see if things improve.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by kittywitty

You should ask your doc if you think it may be prolapse. There are pics online you can google, too. You are only about 3/4 months postpartum. I would give it awhile, things go back more to normal with time.

You had a baby come out of there! It's quite a bit bigger than anything else you normally put in it... It can take several months for it to feel normal again. I'm over a year PP and things still feel a bit different when I'm intimate with DH. Birth changes your body.

If you're really worried I'd go see a doc. It's their job to make you feel comfortable and quell your fears! (well, it should be)

[scottishmommy]

I read a report recently that over 90% of women have some sort of POP 6 months postpartum. Most of the cases were mild, but still that's a pretty high percentage! So chances are that things have relaxed down there a little, but if you aren't bothered by any symptoms why worry? In other words, you probably have a little POP because almost all moms do. If it would make you feel better to have your doctor take a look then go. But most likely he or she will think you look the way we all do after we give birth...a little saggy! Seriously, if you aren't having symptoms I wouldn't give it another thought. I wasted A LOT of time worrying(obsessing) about my postpartum body, and it is doing fine now.

[Catherine12]

I remember after my first birth that my vagina was visibly stretched for a week or two. After a couple months, it looked and felt exactly as it had before birth though. I did notice that it seemed more elastic than before - not that the tissue was looser, but that I could stretch more comfortably. This may be TMI, but I found that some sex positions which had previously been too rough now feel fine - I'd say birth really improved my sex life!

After babies 2 and 3, I really didn't notice any change to my vagina - everything seemed to pop back into place pretty much immediately.

One thing that may help is to do kegels. If your kegel muscle was over-strectched during birth, you could have a shorter, wider vagina as a result. Strengthening the muscle should get you back to "normal" (and is good for you anyway). I did tons of kegels before and after my births and they really seemed to help...

[kltroy]

I had some POP after my first vag. birth. I remember feeling some extra "bulges" there, where they weren't before. It was very odd. I looked in the mirror and it did not look normal. I got a referral for a physical therapist, who worked with me to strengthen my pelvic floor muslces, and now everything stays put where it's supposed to. Even if you don't have an official diagnosis of prolapse see if you can get a referral from your MW or doctor. Most postpartum women could use a little extra PT to get their deep core muscles back in shape after pregnancy/birth.

[thencamehenry]

Are you breastfeeding? I recently went back to see one of my midwives at 16 months postpartum for similar concerns and she noticed a bit of prolapse. I've read that it may take up to a year for things to heal after birth. However she said we won't know how it will shake out until I wean my son because things are still loose due to the prolactin and relaxin in my system. She suggested kegels and exercise in general in the meantime.