During pregnancy, your body goes through numerous changes, and this includes your vagina. Many expectant mothers wonder how childbirth will affect this intimate part of their body. If you're one of those concerned, fret not because postpartum vaginal changes are entirely normal. When you give birth vaginally, the vagina stretches to allow your baby's passage into the world. To ease your worries, let's explore what you can expect regarding vaginal changes after childbirth.
Postpartum Vaginal Changes
The process of pregnancy and the pressures of childbirth, particularly in vaginal deliveries, bring about several changes in the vagina. Here's what you can anticipate:
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Vaginal Stretching: The extent of vaginal stretching varies depending on your delivery history. Factors like your baby's size, weight at birth, and the number of previous births contribute to this condition. If you have a cesarean section, vaginal stretching should not occur. However, in cases where you begin to push before the C-section, it can lead to some vaginal stretching.
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Vaginal Dryness: Lower estrogen levels postpartum can result in drier vaginal tissues than during pregnancy. This dryness is often experienced while breastfeeding and usually subsides once breastfeeding ends.
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Lochia Discharge: Lochia is a mixture of blood, mucus, and uterine fluid that discharges from the vagina after childbirth. It aids in cleaning the uterus and occurs following both vaginal and cesarean deliveries. Lochia typically persists for 4 to 6 weeks but returns to normal after your ovulation or menstruation restarts.
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Postpartum Pain and Discomfort: Women who experience vaginal births without extensive tearing may encounter mild to moderate discomfort in the vaginal area. This discomfort can last for approximately 3 to 5 weeks, depending on individual variations. Pain may intensify while coughing, sneezing, or sitting for a few days. However, it gradually lessens with time.
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Burning and Pain from Episiotomy: Perineal tears resulting from an episiotomy may cause a burning sensation in the vagina. Smaller wounds usually heal within 7 to 10 days, while more substantial lacerations may require up to 6 weeks for complete healing.
It's important to remember that these postpartum vaginal complaints tend to diminish over time. So, while these changes may be concerning initially, they are typically part of the post-birth recovery process and are nothing to be overly anxious about, dear mothers. Your body is remarkable and resilient, and it will gradually return to its pre-pregnancy state.
Reference:
Verywell Family. (2022). What Happens to Your Vagina After Pregnancy [Online] https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-happens-to-your-vagina-after-pregnancy-4156275
What to expect. (2021). What Really Happens to Your Vagina After Birth [Online] https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/vagina-after-birth/