TMI question from 1st time mom

[Katykatt]

The other day my dh was helping me with some girly-grooming and got a good look at my vagina and was surprised at how "enlarged" everything looks. Then he asked if it would all go back to it's previous size after the baby comes. I told him I had no idea--I've been so focused on everything from delivery anxiety to worrying about whether or not she'll be a wild teenager that I really haven't given much thought to my post-baby body. Can anyone tell me about how their body recovered or remained changed after having a baby? I really don't feel comfortable asking any of the moms I know, and this board has just been a wealth of info, so thanks in advance!

Kate

[april77]

I remember being very shocked when I was pregnant with dd. I assumed that I would be swollen after the birth, but had no idea that I would be before. But everything does eventually go back to normal. At least I didn't see any real before and after differences and dh said that it didn't feel any different. I had a small internal tear and that area was sensitive for longer than I would have thought but that was pretty much it. Oh, and we had to use a lubricant because I was really dry while breastfeeding but that also went back to normal.

[Boobiemama]

Right now everything is swollen and weird looking. It will go back to normal. But it may take awhile...

[EllasMama]

Definitely will go back to normal...before you know it! Some things improve very rapidly, like for me my hip pain went away right after birth. Other things like floppy belly take longer, but considering the nine months it takes for everything to grow and change, it's pretty cool how quickly you get many of your "normal" body functions back.

Carol

[SabDoulaMommy]

After my 1st everything went back to "normal" pretty quickly. When I weaned after bf for 2 yrs, my already saggy boobies looked like deflated balloons, but even they got their fat deposits back after a few months & they looked pretty normal too.

However, after my twins, I *felt* like I wasn't normal. I looked the same & dh sure wasn't complaining, but I felt stretched. I don't know if that was twins, or a 2nd (or 3rd) baby being birthed or just my psyche.

That's cool you can get your dh to do your "girly grooming." The 2 times I've asked dh to help, I've ended up bald! I don't want to be that bald this close to birth, so I guess I'm going the other way - wild & wooly!