Vagina After Delivery: Changes And Natural Recovery Tips

Vagina After Delivery: Changes And Natural Recovery Tips

You have finally put in 40 weeks or so and your body has just done the most remarkable thing- given birth! After nine long months you are excited to spend time with your new bundle of joy and now all you think about is your baby. But you also need to focus on yourself and your recovery. No matter whether your delivery was an easy one, a tough one or a C-section one- you need to take proper care of yourself and your body.

Childbirth is a physically and emotionally demanding experience. If you have given birth naturally, you vagina will definitely change after birth. Your vagina stretches for around 10 cm during your delivery. This is called dilation and it helps your baby to come out through your vagina. Sometimes the skin between the vagina and the anus might cut or the doctor might have to tear it for the baby to come through. This is called episiotomy.  Your vagina does go back to its normal size but does not go back to what it was before your gave birth. Here we tell you everything about your vagina after your delivery.

Also read: Can You Give Birth Vaginally After A C-Section?

Changes In The Vagina After Delivery

#1. Wide Vagina

Your vagina might feel wider than before. You might feel it has become soft and loose and it will look swollen for a few weeks after delivery. The soreness does heal after a few weeks. If it doesn’t then talk to your doctor.

#2. Postpartum Bleeding

Women experience discharge and bleeding after birth. The bleeding consists of blood, mucous and uterus tissues and lasts for up to 4 to 6 weeks. The discharge will be red and heavy during the first few days and will slowly reduce. 

#3. Pain After Stitches

More than half of the women need stitches in their vagina after delivery because of the episiotomy. Stitches take about one week to 10 days to heal and you may feel pain while sitting down or while urinating. Application of warm water reduces the pain but consult your doctor if you feel unbearable pain.

Also read: Vaginal Hygiene Do’s and Don’ts

#4. Dry Vagina

Vagina will feel dry after childbirth because of low oestrogen in your body which reduces the mucus in your vagina. For breastfeeding mothers the oestrogen is lower and therefore they may feel their vagina to be drier. 

#5. Leaking Urine

One in four women experience incontinence or leaking urine while coughing or sneezing and have a hard time controlling their urine. Bladder control was difficult during the last weeks of childbirth and it continues for a few weeks after birth as well. Pregnancy can stretch or injure pelvic floor muscles which support the uterus and bladder, thus making you leak.

#6. Pain During Intercourse

If you have started having sexual intercourse a few months after your delivery, you may feel a pain and it will not be the same as before. It hurts because your vagina is dry so try a lubricant if you can. You can try talking to your doctor for the same.

Also read: 5 Types Of Vaginal Discharge: What Is Normal And What Isn’t

Natural Recovery Tips

Here are some natural tips that you can use to make your life easier with a sore vagina after delivery:

  • To ease the discomfort while you are recovering from a sore vagina because of the stitches on it,you can try sitting on a pillow or a padded ring.
  • If it hurts while you are passing urine, try squeezing lukewarm water on your perineum to ease the pain.
  • Talk to your healthcare provider to give you some stool softeners if you are having trouble passing stool. Natural stool softeners are lentils, homemade ghee, curd or isabgol.
  • Do light pelvic exercises to help you control your urine and strengthen your pelvic muscles. 
  • Have a bath or a shower everyday to keep your vagina clean. Pat dry with a towel but never vigorously.
  • Vaginal exercises help. Tighten and release your vagina muscles. Tighten and hold it for 10 counts and then release slowly. Always keep yourself hydrated with lots of water and have a healthy diet including lots of green vegetables. 
  • When you are bleeding after your delivery avoid using tampons or menstrual cups as that can cause infections. Use only sanitary pads.

A physical exam or a postpartum check up will be conducted by your doctor. Tell your doctor any concerns that you might be having with your body.

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