Vagina after giving birth: Will it be the same?

As you near the end of your pregnancy, you would be excited about the arrival of your little bundle of joy. And along with this happiness comes the uncertainty about what changes to expect in your vagina after birth.

From perineal pain and bleeding to vaginal dryness, let us look at all the other common changes to expect in your vagina after delivery.

• Changes in vagina after giving birth
• Other changes to expect in vagina after delivery
• Change in how your vagina functions
• Importance of postpartum care for recovery

Let’s get one thing clear, that your vagina is situated inside your body. The genitilia that you see outside, comprising your labia, clitoris, and mons pubis (the mound where pubic hair grows) are parts of the vulva, not the vagina.

The vagina is the canal or opening through which menstrual blood passes and the baby comes out during childbirth. Here are some common changes to expect in your vagina after you give birth

During labour, your vagina has to stretch in order for your baby to pass through the birth canal. The vagina is an organ that can widen to accommodate a baby. Typically, after delivery, the tissue shrinks back down to its pre-pregnancy state.

It is possible that your vagina may get a little looser than before after childbirth. This is because the pelvic floor muscles around the vagina stretch out to let the baby pass through. Many factors can make this change more pronounced such as the size of your baby, if you had any complications during delivery, and how many babies you’ve delivered before. Your genes and being overweight also play a role.

Swelling is one of the most noticeable changes in your vagina after giving birth. Other changes that you may notice in your vulva or vaginal opening are mostly temporary. However, hyperpigmentation could be permanent. The swelling and discoloration may occur irrespective of having a C-section or vaginal birth because it is caused due to pregnancy hormones. The swelling is mostly the result of how long in labour you were. Depending on the duration and intensity of labour, the swelling could be mild or intense.

It is common to have tears and rips around the vaginal opening when you give birth. It takes some time for it to heal. An episiotomy is an incision made in the perineum (the skin that connects the anus to the vaginal opening) by a doctor to make room for the baby to pass through. And it takes around three to six weeks for an episiotomy to heal. It could also leave a scar and the amount of scarring depends on how much of the perineum was involved. Typically, this scar tissue is not noticeable and does not affect the appearance of your vagina or its function.

Although it is no longer a regular practice to use forceps, if your baby needed forceps to come out then its use can lead to injuries to the vaginal tissue. In such cases, one must be vigilant and if you experience vaginal pain during your first postpartum appointment, you must consult your doctor.

The level of oestrogen, which ran high during pregnancy, suddenly goes through a dip after you give birth. This drop can lead to vaginal dryness because oestrogen helps to keep your vaginal tissue moist. Moreover, if you aren’t breastfeeding, then it’s likely that your vaginal moisture will go back to normal within a few weeks. However, if you are breastfeeding, then your oestrogen levels will remain low, which means you will experience vaginal dryness the whole time you’re nursing. But once you stop breastfeeding, your vagina moistness should resume pretty quickly.

If you thought you saw enough blood and gore during childbirth, then welcome to the period of lochia or vaginal discharge after delivery. After childbirth, the residual blood, mucus, and tissue that comes from the vagina is called lochia. It is common to experience lochia for about four to six weeks postpartum. It may change colour over time and typically goes from an intense red hue to a kind of pink or brown colour and gradually turns yellowish. Generally, postpartum underwear and pads are combined to manage this kind of vaginal discharge after giving birth. It is also common to pass blood clots. However, nothing larger than a plum is normal. So, if you notice anything larger, you should inform your doctor.

To manage lochia, you can use superior quality pads such as Always sanitary pads. However, we recommend using specialised pads based on your flow postpartum.

Your body will need time to go back to menstruating after you’ve given birth. Lochia isn’t the same as a period because it is the residual blood and tissue exiting your body whereas in a period, it is the unfertilised egg along with the uterus lining that is shed away.

Your body goes through a lot of hormonal changes when you’re pregnant and it will need time to resume its routine function. Moreover, if you're breastfeeding, the low levels of oestrogen can hamper menstruation too.

And once you do get your period after delivery, it is likely that it would be lighter or heavier than it used to. If your oestrogen is generally lower than it was before you got pregnant, your uterine lining can be thinner, giving you a lighter period. On the other hand, having higher levels of oestrogen may make your lining build up more thickly, resulting in a heavier period.

Whatever be the flow, consider using superior quality Always pads. The Always Soft pads are a great fit as they are designed to have a comfortable top sheet with innovative soft design for cushiony soft comfort. Its flexi channels allow ease of movement and unique flexi wings keep the pad in place so you can go about your day worry-free. For days when you have a heavy flow, you may want to try the Always Maxi Thick pads. These are designed with unique anti-leakage barriers in the front, centre, and back offering maximum coverage. Moreover, its extra absorbent core is designed to absorb liquid, so you don't feel a thing.

In a broader sense, your vagina's function after birth won’t change. However, it is possible that the pelvic floor muscles that control the vagina are affected. These are the muscles that surround the bladder and vagina and provide support, so they can be injured and tend to weaken during birth due to the pressure of the pregnancy. Damage to the pelvic floor muscles can also lead to complications such as bladder dysfunction or uterine prolapse in some women.

Because the pelvic floor muscles surround the bladder, it is common to experience urinary incontinence. During childbirth, the strain from labour can cause your pelvic muscles to weaken, affecting your bladder control. This is more likely when you do any strenuous activity such as jumping or sneezing. Although it is common, it isn’t normal and you must seek medical help at the earliest. Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles will help in preventing urinary incontinence.

A lot of women experience some kind of sexual problem after having a baby. It could be due to a host of reasons – from sleep disruptions due to baby care to how you feel about your vagina.

The pelvic floor muscles that helped and supported through childbirth also play a role during intercourse. Weakened pelvic floor muscles could be the reason why you feel a lack of sexual satisfaction. Vaginal dryness could also be a contributing factor as it could cause painful sex.

Postpartum is the period after a person gives birth, typically lasting six to eight weeks. When the person’s body has almost returned to its pre-pregnancy state, the postpartum period is considered to end.

A woman requires a lot of care and love during this recovery period. Below are a few things that need to be followed.

These check-ups help in understanding how a woman is recovering - physically, mentally, and emotionally. To ensure that a woman’s health is on the right track, it is recommended to have regular medical appointments for 12 weeks after birth.

Fatigue and constipation is common among women dealing with postpartum, and in order to combat it, a well-balanced diet is a must. A combination pf carbohydrates, protein, and fibre will help in recovery. Keep yourself hydrated, especially if you’re breastfeeding, by drinking plenty of fluids.

An integral part of recovery after delivery is getting enough rest. New mothers should get plenty of rest in the first two to three weeks after childbirth.

Once your doctor gives you the go ahead, you can begin light exercises. To strengthen your pelvic floor muscle, Kegels is ideal.

We know that the period after childbirth is challenging. But if you experience severe symptoms such as excessive bleeding or pain, you must contact your doctor immediately.

Below are a some more such symptoms:

• heavy vaginal bleeding where you need more than two pads in an hour or two

• passing large blood clots

• Fever

• dizziness or fainting

• blurred vision

• vaginal discharge with a foul or strong odour

• vomiting

• progressively worse abdominal pain or new abdominal pain

• swollen legs or pain in the legs.

Conclusion

The takeaway is that the vagina is designed for childbirth, and you won’t see any stark difference in the appearance of your vagina after giving birth. It is normal and common to experience certain changes, most of which are due to weakened pelvic floor muscles and hormonal changes. These include urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, or pain during intercourse. Don’t feel embarrassed by any of these and speak to your doctor if you experience any.

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FAQs

You won’t see any stark difference in your vagina after giving birth. That’s because the vagina is designed for childbirth, and it stretches to accommodate a baby passing through it. It is true, however, that immediately after giving birth, it is normal and common to experience certain changes such as urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, or pain during intercourse. These occur due to weakened pelvic floor muscles and hormonal changes.

When you think of tightening your vagina after birth, what you’re really asking for is strengthening your pelvic floor muscles which become weak during labour and childbirth. For this, Kegel exercises is a good option. To do it, first, pick a position for your exercise. Many prefer lying on their back for Kegels. Next, tighten your pelvic floor muscles. Hold the contraction for five seconds, and then relax then for another five seconds. Repeat this step at least five times in a row.

While you may not notice any major change in the appearance of your vagina after delivery, it is highly unlikely that your vagina will return to its exact pre-birth shape. However, this should not be a cause for concern as there are ways to strengthen the muscles around your bladder and vagina. You can consider doing some pelvic floor exercises such as Kegel exercises that help tone the vaginal muscles.

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