Restoring the body after childbirth

During the process of bearing a child and during childbirth, significant hormonal changes occur in the body. Changes affect not only the reproductive system, but also other organs. Many things change dramatically, and therefore, of course, recovery of the body after childbirth takes a certain amount of time: not one or two weeks. How long it takes for the body to recover after childbirth is different in each specific case, but it is possible to generalize and derive a certain average norm.

• The female body after childbirth
• Myths and truth about rejuvenation

The female body after childbirth

After childbirth, a woman’s body does not immediately begin to function as it did before pregnancy. It took a long 9 months to give a start to a new life, so recovery will also take place gradually, step by step, and a complete return to the previous state will occur no earlier than in 2-3 months - and this is only in the case when the woman is absolutely healthy and doesn't practice.

Knowing what happens to the female body after childbirth, you can more clearly imagine the entire recovery period. Let's try to record all the changes in the form of a table to make it easier.

Table 1.

Internal organs (system, function)	Changes	When will it recover
Uterus	Immediately after the birth of the child and expulsion of the fetus, the uterus weighs 1 kg and takes on a spherical shape. It becomes half lighter in 10 days if it contracts normally.	It returns to its “old” form very quickly – after 2 months it looks the same as before. Its weight is 100 g. The weight of the organ of a woman who has not given birth is 50 grams.
Cervix	Forever changing form. Instead of conical it becomes cylindrical. The external pharynx becomes slit-like and not round, but this can only be seen by a gynecologist. There are no such changes after cesarean section	After 3 months it functions as before
Menstrual function	The uterus takes on a more physiological position, so menstrual pain often goes away. recovers after stopping feeding,	After 2–3 months – in non-lactating women. Breastfeeding may not recover until breastfeeding ends.
Vagina	Muscles may lose elasticity and tears may occur.	By the end of 2 months everything is healing. Muscle tone is restored. Kegel exercises are very helpful. These simple steps will help bring your stomach back to normal after childbirth.
Breast	Fills up, may sag after finishing feeding	Perhaps the previous form will not be completely restored, but this does not mean that the “new form” will be worse. You just shouldn’t leave it to chance and do exercises aimed at toning the pectoral muscles.
Musculoskeletal system	The spine was somewhat smoothed, the pelvis expanded, the joints were very mobile	Changes gradually, over 3-4 months, pass
Stomach	The stomach “hangs”, a skin fold forms	Usually disappears completely within 1-2 years (if you do not neglect physical exercises)
The cardiovascular system	Increased blood supply. Fetal pressure may cause hemorrhoids	Returns to normal in 3-4 weeks.

Myths and truth about rejuvenation after pregnancy and childbirth

Nowadays you can often come across statements online that the body of a “newly made” mother is rejuvenating. What happens to the body after childbirth - is this opinion true?

What happens to a woman’s body after childbirth?

If you pay attention to how long it takes the body to recover after childbirth, it becomes clear: in fact, it is significantly weakened by the stress experienced. In a woman with hidden chronic illnesses, the following may first appear:

• arthritis and other joint diseases;
• pyelonephritis;
• hormonal problems;
• diabetes mellitus (if a woman develops it during pregnancy).

If you notice that your body takes a long time to recover after childbirth, perhaps one of these diseases is making itself known. Old “sores” that already existed also become aggravated, especially after the second birth: for example, hemorrhoids, herpes. Based on how the body recovers after childbirth, some conclusions can be drawn about the woman’s health. If recovery processes take too long, you should consider a comprehensive examination.

Data from medical examinations also indicate a decrease in the level of “bad” cholesterol. Many women seem to become “smarter” with the birth of a child: they have to constantly keep their finger on the pulse of events, engage in the development of the child, and therefore develop themselves.

During the entire 9 months of pregnancy, eggs do not mature in the ovaries, which means that the reproductive function - the ability to become a mother - is prolonged. before all other cells in the body - this is a proven fact. Pregnancy delays this irreversible process.

Almost all women, when they calm down a little after the birth of the baby, wonder how to restore the body faster after childbirth, especially if it is not “behaving” very well and does not return to normal.

The transition time is different for everyone. When breastfeeding, the body usually recovers quickly.

When the uterus is completely cleansed and birth injuries have healed, you can begin physical exercise - little by little and very carefully. After 2 months (in case of complicated childbirth, in case of caesarean section - discussed with the doctor), sexual relations are allowed. The orgasm experienced by a woman helps speed up the recovery and healing processes due to a powerful rush of blood to the pelvic organs.

It is advisable to take special vitamins, especially if your hair is falling out more than usual and your nails are peeling.

Caring for your baby and walking with a stroller will help you stay in good physical shape for the first time. Then you should add a series of exercises. For example, if weakness of the vaginal muscles and urinary incontinence are observed, you need to do Kegel exercises: alternately squeezing and relaxing the muscles. Another exercise from this series: you need to push for about 30 seconds, then sharply relax the vaginal muscles. After some time, the tone will return.

In order not to lose the beautiful shape of your breasts, you need to wear a supportive bra and use creams and masks for stretch marks.

The situation is somewhat more complicated with fat deposits in the waist and abdomen. You cannot lose weight sharply, even if you are no longer breastfeeding - this is harmful for the woman herself. Stretch marks and sagging skin in such cases are almost inevitable.

You should focus not on reducing your diet, but on physical activity: 2.5-3 months after giving birth, start pumping your abs from a lying position (this reduces the load on your back). Daily long walking at an energetic pace, gentle stretching of muscles, pumping up the abs - all this will help you quickly get back into good shape.

And one more important point: a young mother must definitely find time for herself to get enough sleep, rest a little in silence, just lie down. Therefore, do not try to do everything yourself, ask household members for help in caring for the baby. The more and better you rest, the sooner you will recover, and your former health and energy will return.

Childbirth is associated with the joy of motherhood, however, any woman can say how difficult this process is and what its consequences are. Even gymnastics in the postpartum period does not always restore the appearance and shape of the genital organs. This affects a woman’s self-esteem and causes problems in the intimate sphere. Intimate recovery after childbirth is designed to eliminate psychological discomfort and physiological changes, and return harmony and happiness to a woman’s life.

Problems in the intimate sphere after childbirth, requiring intimate restoration

Changes in the size and shape of the genital organs after childbirth, which have the same negative impact on a woman’s mood as weight gain, are perceived by many as a forced state of inevitable retribution for motherhood. However, it is worth discarding pessimism: modern medicine is able to quickly eliminate deviations that have arisen. Restorative intimate plastic surgery successfully copes with the following problems after childbirth:

• excessive vaginal dryness and, as a result, pain during sexual intercourse;
• a sharp decrease in sensitivity and the inability to achieve orgasm;
• an increase in the size of the vagina due to overstretching of its walls;
• prolapse of the uterus and vagina;
• loss of the attractive appearance of the labia minora and majora - their lengthening, excessive volume, loss of elasticity, and the formation of a deficiency of the fat layer;
• foci of persistent pigmentation on the skin of the labia;
• urinary incontinence due to hypotonicity of the pelvic muscles and bladder sphincter;
• scars formed after ruptures.

Before and after

Free annual maintenance and monitoring! After surgery, we provide our patients with free annual care, monitoring and support from surgeons and clinic staff on all issues related to your plastic surgery.

Installment plans are possible*. For details, call the clinic.

Recovery after childbirth: prices

Injection of fillers into soft tissues for the purpose of shape correction (1 syringe)

Augmentation (increase) of the G spot by introducing fillers (1 syringe)

Narrowing of the vaginal opening using mesothreads (installation from 4 to 10 pcs.)

Rejuvenation program "Mona Lisa" Touch + autoplasma therapy* (vagina, vulva, perineum)

Treatment of vaginal wall atrophy

Treatment of the vulva

Bleeding (whitening, elimination of sagging perineum)

Treatment of scars and cracks

up to 5 cm (per 1 cm)

more than 5 cm (per 1 cm)

Laser lifting

Laser correction of the anterior (or posterior) vaginal wall

Laser correction of the anterior and posterior walls of the vagina

Vagina lifting

Treatment of vagina and vulva (without skin)

Autoplasmotherapy * as an addition to the procedure

Operations for prolapse of the walls of the uterus and vagina

Restoration of the vulva and perineum

Resection (reduction) of the labia minora

Vaginal plastic surgery

from 120,000 ₽

* Before the autoplasmotherapy procedure, it is necessary to undergo tests:

• - Clinical blood test with leukocyte formula and ESR
• - Blood glucose test
• - HIV
• - Hepatitis B and C

Advanced methods of intimate restoration

Currently, problems in the intimate area after childbirth are successfully solved with the help of advanced technologies.

You should not put up with the deterioration of the appearance of the intimate area after childbirth and a decrease in the quality of life. At an affordable price, any woman can solve the problems that have arisen, while avoiding psychological discomfort and discord in the intimate sphere.

Expert opinion from M.V. Egorova

“Patients come to Frau Klinik with various complaints that bring irritation and discomfort into everyday life: many women experience changes in their sexual life after childbirth, some women experience air and water getting into the vagina, many have elements of urinary incontinence of varying degrees expressiveness. That is why surgical correction is almost always necessary after a natural birth.”
The full version of the interview with the surgeon is in the blog material: “Problems after childbirth that are not customary to talk about”

Changes associated with pregnancy and childbirth affect the condition of the female body. The rehabilitation period takes different times for each mother. Vaginal healing after childbirth is a natural process that can be helped.

Organ changes

The passage of a child through the birth canal leads to changes in the muscular structure of the vagina. They are symptomatic in nature, affecting the physiology and functioning of the organ. On average, the female body returns to its previous shape within 2-3 months.

How long the vagina takes to recover depends on how the birth process went. The weight of the child, rapid birth, episiotomy - all these factors influence changes in the uterus and vagina.

What happens to the perineum after childbirth? During the birth of the baby, the vaginal walls are stretched, swelling appears, and ruptures and abrasions are possible. The relief of the walls changes, it becomes smoother, and the size of the organ increases.

What happens to the vagina after childbirth:

1. sensitivity changes;
2. pain appears;
3. drooping walls;
4. possible itching, dryness, unpleasant odor;
5. changes in the quantity and quality of discharge;
6. ruptures, cuts and microcracks;
7. the terrain changes.

Swelling will go away 3-4 days after birth. Sensitivity decreases due to the fact that the muscles stretch and become flabby. Difficult or multiple births lead to prolapse of the vaginal walls. Such a change will require surgical treatment.

Pressure in the perineum after childbirth, caused by contractions of the uterus, causes discomfort. Pain is caused by ruptures, cracks, or episiotomy performed by obstetricians. In this case, the wounds heal from 30 to 45 days, depending on the depth.

The discharge, called postpartum lochia, is considered a natural reaction of the body. Lochia goes on for 6-8 weeks. Dryness occurs due to a decrease in the hormone estrogen and an increase in prolactin. Normalization of microflora occurs after completion of breastfeeding.

Restore size and muscle tone

Recovery of the vaginal muscles takes 6 to 8 weeks. The muscular organ, when the fetus passes through it, stretches, expands and loses elasticity. During the recovery period, the tone will return to normal and the original size will return.

How the vagina recovers after childbirth:

1. the uterus contracts, gradually acquiring its previous shape;
2. vaginal muscle tone is restored;
3. microflora is normalized.

The time frame for the perineal muscles to come into shape after childbirth depends on the individual characteristics of the body. After diagnosing the changes, in the postpartum period, therapy to restore the perineum is prescribed.

How to restore the vagina after childbirth:

• refrain from intimate relationships;
• perform special gymnastics;
• use gels and oils.

To speed up the recovery of the vagina, gynecologists recommend abstaining from intimate relationships for two months. This is necessary to prevent inflammation of the vagina and infection of the genitals.

How long does it take for the vagina to recover after childbirth? The recovery time for the female genital organs after the birth of a child takes about two months. In order for the vagina to quickly recover, a woman in labor must follow all the recommendations of the gynecologist.

Intimate gymnastics will help tone your muscles and improve blood circulation. Kegel exercises are performed daily. With proper care, it will be possible to restore the vaginal muscles after childbirth in the shortest possible time.

Restoration of microflora and dryness

The microflora changes under the influence of childbirth and is accompanied by itching, dryness, and discomfort. The discharge becomes copious, cloudy, and has an unpleasant odor. Restoration of the vaginal microflora begins immediately after childbirth.

Rules for the treatment of microflora and dryness:

1. exclude fatty and fried foods from the menu;
2. consume fermented milk products daily;
3. wear underwear made from natural materials;
4. avoid stress.

In the fight against inflammatory processes that change the microflora of the vagina, medications and vaginal suppositories also help. The drugs treat the disease by exerting a local effect.

Prescribed drugs:

• Kipferon. The course of treatment is 10 days;
• Bifidumbacterin. Apply in the morning for 10 days;
• Lactobacterin. Contains beneficial bacteria. Course – 10 days.

Prescribed tablets for dysbacteriosis. In this case, the importance of treatment and the safety of the drug during breastfeeding are assessed.

Antibacterial gels effectively restore the vaginal microflora during the postpartum period. The drugs fight harmful microorganisms and stabilize acidity. They are used every time you wash.

Folk remedies for mothers are allowed after consultation with a gynecologist. Douching is used with herbal solutions. Tampons soaked in honey or kefir are effective.

The internal environment of the vagina is one of the most important components of women's health. After childbirth, it is important to monitor the microflora and, if necessary, maintain it in normal condition.

Repairing tears and cuts

Any postpartum injury requires treatment. Tears and incisions are treated and sutured immediately after the baby is born. For this purpose, materials are used that dissolve during the healing process.

To speed up the recovery process, it is not recommended to sit on a hard surface for two weeks. The exception is sitting on the toilet. This will help prevent the stitches from coming apart and speed up the healing period. After 10 days, doctors allow you to sit on a rubber ball or a soft pillow.

Perineal care after childbirth includes:

• personal hygiene after each trip to the toilet;
• use of disposable panties;
• changing postpartum pads every 3 hours;
• applying ice;
• medical treatment with potassium permanganate or brilliant green.

After discharge from the hospital, it is recommended to make lotions and baths with a decoction of chamomile and calendula. Instead of toilet paper, it is better to use wet wipes with antibacterial action. To speed up wound healing, ointments are used, for example, Bepanten.

Deep tears can cause tissue inflammation. If complications occur in the suture area, drug treatment or surgical intervention is prescribed. In the future, if deformation of the muscle tissue occurs, the woman will be able to correct the defect using laser technology or plastic surgery.

In most cases, healing occurs fairly quickly, leaving no visible scars. Sensitivity will return after the vagina is completely restored. Exercises that strengthen the pelvic muscles are effective for healing.

Exercises to make your vagina smaller

Intimate life after childbirth worries every mother. Gymnastics of the vaginal muscles helps restore the elasticity of the walls, restore muscle tone and previous size. Weakened vaginal muscles lead to urinary incontinence, uterine prolapse and lack of sensitivity in intimate life.

How to train vaginal muscles after childbirth:

• Kegel exercises;
• exercise Lift;
• Step-free therapy;
• physiotherapeutic procedures with weights.

The Kegel method is used for intimate exercise to restore vaginal tone. Exercises are performed daily, at least three times. Gradually the number of approaches can be increased.

How to pump up vaginal muscles after childbirth:

1. you need to lie on your back and bend your knees;
2. the pose should be comfortable. Breathing is calm and deep;
3. The vaginal muscles are strongly tensed, held for 2-3 seconds and relaxed. Repeat the exercise at least 5 times;
4. squeezing and unclenching the vaginal tube is performed in three sets of 10 seconds;
5. strain the vagina for 10 seconds, rest for 15 seconds and repeat the exercise again at least 5 times.

The “Lift” exercise got its name because of the structure of the vagina. A woman needs to imagine that the organ has several floors. During execution, he tenses and relaxes gradually.
Step-free therapy strengthens the pelvic floor muscles. It uses vaginal cones that are inserted into the vagina and must be held by tightening and relaxing. During the process of vaginal restoration, the weight of the cone changes.

Physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out using medical equipment that affects the quality of muscle tissue. The procedures are painless, have no recovery period and are allowed for breastfeeding women.

Intimate plastic surgery

Intimate plastic surgery allows not only to tighten the vaginal muscles, but also to correct the appearance of the genital organs. Intimate contour plastic surgery has virtually no complications. The use of modern laser technologies allows painless and quick operations to correct the appearance of the female genital organs.

Main indications for the use of the surgical method:

• change in vaginal size;
• loss of sensation;
• asymmetry of the labia;
• involuntary urination;
• scarring.

The operation is prescribed after a thorough examination of the woman. The method is used only if other measures do not help restore the previous condition of the female genital organs.

Surgical intervention has a number of contraindications:

• lactation;
• pregnancy;
• diabetes;
• low blood clotting;
• HIV infections;
• inflammatory diseases.

Before the operation, blood and urine tests and an ultrasound of the genital organs are required. After this, a consultation with the surgeon is held.

How the operation is done:

1. the procedure is done under general anesthesia or under general anesthesia;
2. during plastic surgery, the area that is deformed is excised and sutured;
3. if a woman does not plan to give birth in the future, she will have a mesh inserted that will hold the muscles in the correct position;
4. When suturing, materials are used that dissolve themselves during the healing process.

The postoperative period is at least 2 months. At this time, intimate relationships and sports are excluded, and heavy lifting is prohibited. After the perineum is restored, you need to see a doctor to assess the correctness of the operation.

To prevent vaginal recovery after childbirth from taking a long time, the mother must not forget about personal hygiene, medication treatment, and intimate gymnastics. Surgical intervention is used if the female genital organs have not recovered within two months. Intimate plastic surgery can remove scars, restore the vagina to its original shape, and relieve dryness.

What does the vagina look like after childbirth? This is a question young women often ask themselves during their first pregnancy. Anxiety is usually associated with a possible increase in vaginal volume, which inevitably occurs after childbirth. But women are more worried about their sex life - what if such changes affect their own feelings.

Transformations of the vagina begin from the moment of pregnancy, and end only a few months after childbirth. This is a normal physiological process that ends with complete restoration of the shape and volume of the organ. It occurs insufficiently only in women who have given birth to many children (more than three).

There are also pathological conditions in which the vagina does not recover sufficiently after childbirth. These include birth injuries to the mother - ruptures of the vagina or perineum. But even after them, complete recovery is possible - with competent and timely assistance from obstetricians.

To fully understand the changes occurring in a woman's genital organs, it is necessary to learn about their anatomy and functions.

Normal structure and functions

The vagina consists of two parts - external and internal. The first is the vestibule - skin formations that delimit the organ from the external environment. They include the labia, clitoris and Bartholin glands. Their role is to protect the soft and delicate mucous membrane from injury and infection.

The internal part of a woman's genital organs is shaped like a tube, which consists of several layers. Since it contains muscle tissue, with its normal tone, the vagina from the inside resembles a slit.

It contains the anterior and posterior walls, which cover the cervix from above. This structure allows you to quickly rebuild these organs at the time of birth, creating a channel convenient for the passage of the child.

• The labia majora are located on the sides of the vaginal opening and look like two folds of skin that tuck inward.
• Between them are the labia minora, which are the border between the inner and outer parts.
• Bartholin's glands secrete a special lubricant - it moisturizes the vaginal mucosa and has an antibacterial effect.
• The mucous surface has many folds located in the longitudinal direction. This feature allows you to significantly increase the volume of the vagina during pregnancy and childbirth.
• In the muscle layer, the fibers are directed mainly longitudinally and are connected to a similar layer of the uterine wall. Therefore, in a relaxed state, they can stretch well and expand the lumen of the genital organs.

A woman's genitals contain beneficial bacteria - lactobacilli. They create lactic acid, which creates conditions favorable for sperm movement. It also has an antibacterial effect - many microorganisms die in an acidic environment.

Changes in the vagina during pregnancy and childbirth

The main role in preparing a woman’s reproductive tract for childbirth is played by the hormone progesterone. It is secreted from a special gland (corpus luteum), which develops on the ovaries after ovulation. It reaches its maximum size in the first months of pregnancy, and then gradually decreases.

The action of the hormone is associated with a strong effect on smooth muscle tissue and blood vessels. It causes muscle relaxation and dilation of the lumen of blood vessels. Due to the decrease in tone and blood stagnation, the tissues become softer and more elastic.

1. Due to the dilation of blood vessels, the vaginal muscles fill with blood and soften. Longitudinal muscle fibers gradually increase in size, but by the time of birth their tone is minimal. This allows the child to move forward unhindered, stretching them.


2. The mucous membrane becomes darker and more moist, which is associated with improved blood circulation. A large number of folds straighten out during childbirth, moving along with the muscles.
3. Progesterone affects the properties of connective tissue, reducing the amount of dense collagen fibers in it. Thanks to this, the anterior and posterior commissures of the vagina (the junction of the labia) become softer and more elastic. This protects them from rupture when the child passes through the vestibule of the genital tract.

Progesterone also has a beneficial effect on the vaginal microflora - lactobacilli. During childbirth, they fall on the child, then populating his intestines. They protect his skin from dangerous bacteria, and also allow him to digest mother's milk from the first days.

Vagina after childbirth is normal

With normal management of pregnancy (in the antenatal clinic) and childbirth, complications occur extremely rarely. Their main reason is the discrepancy between the size of the child and the woman’s reproductive tract. Normally, minor damage to the mucous membrane is possible - cracks, abrasions, bruises.

Thanks to changes in hormonal levels at the end of pregnancy and after childbirth, normal muscle tone and blood circulation are restored. There comes a period of release of a new hormone - prolactin. It has the opposite effect of progesterone and is aimed at stimulating milk production in the mother.

All recovery processes take no more than three months, and much depends on the individual capabilities of the mother - on the age and number of previous births. If the girl is no more than 25 years old and is giving birth for the first time, then the vagina will take on a normal shape within two weeks.

Changes

The main transformations during pregnancy concern the uterus - it takes the longest to recover and requires careful medical supervision of this process. In the external genitalia this occurs unnoticeably from the outside. But with the return to sexual activity, partners note a change in sensations.

1. Women usually complain of decreased sensitivity and weakened libido. And men note an increase in the size of a woman’s organs and a decrease in her elasticity. Often these problems are associated with an early return to intimacy, while vaginal restoration has not yet been completed.
2. The vagina after childbirth changes its shape somewhat - this occurs due to stretching of the muscles and mucous membrane. Unlike injuries, the muscle layer does not rupture, but its fibers stretch slightly and diverge in the transverse direction.


3. The most noticeable changes appear after the first pregnancy - the mucous membrane stretches significantly and then forms many folds. The vagina changes from a slit-like shape to a spindle-shaped one (wide in the center, narrowed at the edges). In multiparous women, it gradually takes on the shape of a cylinder, which is associated with stretching of the ligamentous apparatus.
4. Minor abrasions, cracks and hemorrhages heal within the first day after birth. This is facilitated by changes in hormonal levels, which enhance the ability of the mucous membrane to recover.
5. During the first week, spotting mucous discharge from the vagina is possible. They are associated with increased activity of the glands of the genital tract and a sharp decrease in the size of the uterus.
6. The muscles and skin of the perineum recover the fastest - after two weeks their tone returns to normal. It is these formations that play the main role in maintaining normal shape. If you train them after pregnancy, you can achieve the previous shape of the genitals.

Prolactin also affects the emotional state of a woman, directing her attention to the care and protection of the child. With this dominant, it inhibits sexual desire, while simultaneously suppressing ovulation in a woman. Therefore, while the young mother is in the feeding period, she will have no desire to have sex.

Recovery methods

The vagina after childbirth takes on its previous shape quite quickly - defects in the mucosa and muscles are eliminated during the first week. Therefore, the main measures are aimed at strengthening the perineum. Gymnastics and physical therapy, as well as vitamin therapy, are used.

1. During the first week, when it is still difficult for a woman to perform any exercises, dosed walks can be used. Half an hour of quiet walking a day is enough to improve blood circulation in the perineal area. Normal blood flow ensures an increase in the tone of the perineal muscles, which strengthens the vaginal walls. It will be much healthier to walk in the fresh air.
2. Gymnastics can be started depending on how you feel, but no later than two weeks. The exercise is one and extremely simple - alternately tensing and relaxing the muscles of the perineum is performed. The woman puts her feet shoulder-width apart and makes such movements with her buttocks. On the day of such procedures, you need from 3 to 5 (at least twenty squeezing and unclenching in each).
3. Physical therapy begins two weeks after birth. It includes a set of various exercises for the muscles of the lower extremities. They start with stretching - it will strengthen the ligaments and increase the tone of the perineum.
4. Swimming will be useful - it evenly develops the muscles of the body. Unlike other types of stress, it does not cause an increase in pressure on the pelvic organs. Two workouts a week are enough to get the desired effect.
5. Vitamin E and ascorbic acid are antioxidants and are good for vaginal recovery after childbirth. They improve metabolic processes in connective tissue, which makes it possible to quickly eliminate small defects in the walls of the genital organs.

The main problem of women in the postpartum period is overestimation of their condition. Therefore, instead of worrying, it is better to direct your energy to eliminating these small shortcomings.

Damage to the genital organs during childbirth

Since all soft tissues of the perineum are subject to significant pressure, ruptures occur if they are insufficiently elastic. They are typical for those giving birth for the first time - women are often not prepared for childbirth mentally and physically. On average, every sixth birth is accompanied by soft tissue injuries.

Responsibility for ruptures always lies with doctors, since timely assistance was not provided. The reason is always a discrepancy between the size of the birth canal and the child moving through it. Minor injuries are not dangerous and heal on their own within the first week after birth.

Severe ruptures are accompanied by simultaneous damage to neighboring organs - the urethra and rectum. Such injuries require immediate surgery, as they directly threaten the life of the mother. After them, repeated births through natural means are rarely feasible, as their scar deformation occurs.

Treatment of ruptures is usually surgical - immediately after birth, large defects are sutured under local anesthesia. Vaginal injuries are the most cosmetic - the stitch will not be visible externally, since the scars on the mucous membrane are dissolving. If there was an injury to the skin of the perineum, then in any case there will be a scar that will become invisible over time.

To prevent ruptures, a woman in labor must learn to push and relax correctly. For this purpose, breathing exercises are used - this allows you to regulate the pressure on the perineum.

It is impossible to bear and give birth to a child without changes in the woman’s body and its individual organs.

The vagina, from which, in fact, the stage of conception and the subsequent birth of a baby begins, is no exception. It participates in many actions of the physiological process that completes pregnancy, so it inevitably transforms.

However, the special structure of the vagina does not allow it to change its shape; it undergoes changes of a different nature. A young parent feels undesirable changes in her general well-being and intimate life.

Rehabilitation is different for every woman. It is necessary to familiarize yourself with all the nuances so that the woman’s internal reproductive organ is restored as quickly as possible.

What changes are happening

The vagina is a muscular-elastic tubular formation located in the woman’s pelvis. It has different lengths for each specific situation.

In a normal state, its size rarely exceeds 10 cm, and in a state of sexual arousal - about 15 cm. As it became clear, nature has taken everything into account. The average size of the male genital organ fully corresponds to these parameters.

Many “experts” on the internal structure and morphological characteristics of the female body claim that the size of the vagina is determined by the woman’s height. The taller the female, the longer her genitals will be.

This is a legend, unconfirmed scientifically. The parameters of the vagina completely depend on the location and structure of the abdominal organs. According to statistics, there are often cases when a woman of short stature was the owner of a deep vagina or vice versa.

Most men are inclined to believe that before the birth of the child, the vagina of their significant other was small and tight, and after pregnancy its size became wider. This is far from true.

The vagina does not change its size after childbirth. The outline and shape of the surface of its walls undergo changes.

Thus, there is no reason for concern, since all transformations that occur with a woman’s elastic genital organ return to normal over time.

Let's look at possible reversible complications in more detail.

Stretching

As the fetus passes through it, the relief of the vaginal walls becomes smoother, and the layer of longitudinal and transverse muscles is stretched. Under such circumstances, this is considered a normal and natural process.

Over the course of two months, the elasticity of muscle structures returns to normal due to contraction.

Edema

Swelling does not cause discomfort in a woman and goes away without medication after 3-4 days.

Cracks and abrasions This consequence occurs after every second birth.

If a physiological specialist assumes that the walls of the vagina may be ruptured, then in the process of uncontrolled contractions of the uterus, an episiotomy is performed - a surgical incision of the perineum.

This will allow you to control the stages of tissue structure divergence. The birth process opens the vagina wide, its walls are injured, as a result of which they become a thick bloody color with a bluish tint.

The surface of the walls is covered with cracks and shallow wounds. It will take no more than two weeks to restore such damage.

The swelling will disappear, the cracks will undergo fibroplasia (healing phase), and the walls will acquire a pink-peach hue.

The relief of the walls of the woman's genital organ changes. It is for this reason that men have an opinion about increasing the size of the vagina.

A nulliparous woman has a pronounced relief of the walls, and in new mothers it is evened out and smoothed out.

Therefore, during sexual intercourse, men feel the expansion of the woman’s muscular channel, which causes some discomfort and incomplete satisfaction. The problem is solved by selecting a suitable pose.

Such changes in the structure of the organ affect absolutely all women in labor. The only difference is the rehabilitation period, some disorders and a number of uncomfortable sensations that can develop as a result of the aggravating consequences of the movement of the fetus and placenta.

Under such circumstances, the slightest delay can result in serious complications, so seeing a doctor and timely medication is the right decision on the path to a quick recovery.

Learn more about myths and prejudices about the vagina after childbirth in the video.

Deviations from the norm

Unpleasant and uncomfortable sensations in the vaginal area after the birth process are, unfortunately, not uncommon. In some cases, they turn into serious deviations for women that require competent treatment.

To avoid this, the parent must know how to quickly eliminate negative manifestations.

Pain

Women often experience pain after childbirth. In some they are pronounced, while in others the pain syndrome develops less intensely.

This symptom is caused by a rupture of the walls or perineum, which was subsequently stitched up. The pain is concentrated in the area where the suture material passes, since it is almost impossible to apply it without affecting the nerve endings.

After 14 days, the bundles of nerve fibers adapt and return to normal, and discomfort in the genital area ceases to cause concern.

Rotten smell

Rotting of the sutures, inflammatory processes in the genital hollow organ can cause an unpleasant putrid odor from the vagina. In this case, you should not self-medicate.

A specialist examination and long-term drug therapy are required.

Decreased sensitivity

After childbirth, many women note a loss of sensitivity or a slight decrease in it.

In this case, there is no need to panic; you need to be patient, and the woman will again be able to react to a certain external influence.

Omission

In some cases, the muscle structures of the pelvic diaphragm become severely weakened. This makes it impossible for them to retain organs.

Doctors call this phenomenon prolapse of the vagina after labor, which has several degrees of severity:

• incomplete prolapse of the vaginal walls(there is no exit beyond its aisles);
• prolapse with protrusion outward;
• absolute(complete) loss.

Discharge

After the birth process, the vagina is restored by the release of characteristic discharge, which should not frighten the woman.

They look like lochia (specific mucus), which includes dead cells and tissue of the uterine endometrium, as well as blood fragments. Postpartum mucus comes out in stages, namely over the course of two months.

In the first phase of the recovery period, lochia can be confused with the beginning of the menstrual cycle. They come out in abundance and have a characteristic blood-purple color.

Over time, the mucus changes color to a yellowish color and comes out less intensely, gradually disappearing altogether.

If, after 8 weeks after the birth of the baby, lochia continues to come out, you cannot do without medical help. The doctor will determine the true cause of the pathology and prescribe proper treatment.

Dryness

The recovery period of a woman in labor is often accompanied by vaginal dryness, which causes a lot of discomfort.

This manifestation is due to a decrease in steroid hormones produced by the ovaries.

Most often, dryness is diagnosed during lactation. Over time, this undesirable consequence disappears on its own.

Itching

If a woman feels itching in the vagina, it is better to consult a doctor without delay. This symptom may be due to an allergy to synthetic sutures or an antiseptic used during the process of the fetus leaving the uterus.

Under any circumstances, solving the problem is the doctor's responsibility. He will conduct a certain series of studies and prescribe effective therapy.

More often, an undesirable manifestation is eliminated by douching. The situation becomes aggravated if the itching sensation is accompanied by a fetid odor and lochia. This indicates that the inflammatory process has begun.

Recovery

The duration of vaginal recovery depends on many factors:

• whether there were purulent discharges that provoked the formation of scar tissue on the walls;
• whether the expectant mother performed specially designed exercises to strengthen the muscular structures of the vagina;
• what condition the woman is in mentally and physically;
• fetal head size;
• quality of suture material;
• difficulty of childbirth.

If the birth took place quickly or for a long time, and the fetus was large, the number and depth of the tears increases.

If during the delivery process the obstetrician had to resort to sutures, especially in the perineal area, then the woman will experience discomfort for up to 12 weeks until the sutured nerve endings adapt.

The birth stretch of the vagina is restored within 2 months.

For a quick postpartum period, experts give several recommendations:

1. At the first stage of rehabilitation, the traditional form of intimate communication must be changed. The release of secretions through an open cervix can pose a risk of infection.
2. The perineum must be washed with running water and intimate hygiene products after each visit to the restroom.
3. Change postpartum pads every 4-5 hours.
4. Replenish your diet with foods that have laxative properties. It is better to exclude flour products. If difficulties with emptying do arise, wax and glycerin will help solve the problem.
5. To ensure that the seams receive proper ventilation, underwear must be removed during the day.
6. Areas of tissue scarring should be treated with an antiseptic at least twice a day.
7. As soon as sexual intercourse resumes, it is advisable to use moisturizing lubricants for a while so as not to injure the walls of the vagina.
8. During night sleep, it is necessary to free the body from the obligatory fabric elements that create favorable hygienic conditions (panties, bikini) and sleep on a sterile diaper.
9. After 4 weeks of rehabilitation, a set of Kegel exercises is recommended, which will help strengthen the muscle layers of the vagina.

Kegel exercises are performed as follows:

1. tense the vaginal muscles for 10-15 seconds;
2. relax the genital organ for the same time.
3. perform 3 passes for each manipulation.

The training is carried out daily. This will allow a woman’s body to return to normal, establish sexual relationships and fully experience the joy of motherhood.

If labor has led to the use of a surgical incision of the perineum, the woman is prohibited from:

• lift heavy objects;
• walk quickly;
• sit down on a hard surface.

Only after two weeks is it allowed to sit on the buttock located opposite the incision. For a sitting position, it is better to use an elastic circle, this will promote adequate scarring.

Watch the video about exercises for the vagina after childbirth.