Comment peut changer votre vagin après l’accouchement ?
Childbirth through vaginal delivery or cesarean section has major effects on the vagina and the pelvic floor, as well as your perineum. In this article, discover how your vagina can change after childbirth and how you can recover under the best conditions.
Changes in the Vagina After Childbirth
Childbirth is one of the most challenging events the female body can go through. Sometimes, the vagina and the pelvic floor stretch beyond their capacities. As a result, they are often very different after giving birth.
Initially, the tissues are stretched, giving the feeling of a wider and sometimes swollen vulva. This is completely normal: the vaginal and pelvic muscles are very elastic, precisely for childbirth.
You may also feel pain in the vagina after childbirth, accompanied or not by redness and irritations. This is especially the case after a vaginal tear, an episiotomy, or the use of instruments.
Some new mothers also have a sensation of tension or localized tightness. With hormonal changes, it is even possible for the vagina to be drier in the first few weeks postpartum. This can be a problem during a potential sexual intercourse.
Lastly, it can happen that the lips have a different appearance, both in color and shape. Here again, hormones and the stretching from childbirth are responsible.
Will the Vagina Return to Normal After Childbirth?
Yes! Rest assured, the vagina generally returns to its usual size and shape between 2 and 6 weeks after childbirth. This time is needed for the tissues to heal and retract gently.
If the pain experienced is frequent and/or intense, consult your gynecologist or midwife. You can find more information on pelvic pain here.
Guide gratuit : Rééducation du Périnée post-partum
Tous nos conseils pour prendre soin de son périnée après la grossesse et prévenir les problèmes intimes 👩🍼
How does a vaginal delivery happen?
Therefore, vaginal delivery is a real challenge for the vagina. But do you know exactly how it happens?
Pre-labor
First, you have pre-labor before going to the delivery room. This initial phase, the longest one, is the preparation for the upcoming labor. The contractions of the uterine muscles start pushing the baby through the cervix. This marks the transition to the vagina.
Dilation of the cervix
As labor progresses, the cervix softens (effaces), then dilates and opens. Once open to 10 centimeters, the newborn can pass through the birth canal.
The skin, tissues, and muscles of the perineum stretch to allow its passage. The rupture of the amniotic sac often occurs after the start of labor, just before or after full dilation of the cervix.
Pushing
Then, through a series of pushes, the pregnant woman helps her baby descend into the vagina until delivery.
Depending on the progress of the delivery, interventions by the obstetrician may also be necessary to facilitate the process. This includes the use of instruments (vacuum extractor, forceps, spatula) or resorting to an episiotomy (incision at the vaginal entrance). Sometimes, a tear can also occur.
Expulsion of the placenta
Next, we wait a few minutes before cutting the umbilical cord. This is usually the time for “skin-to-skin” contact and the first breastfeeding session.
Finally, the last stage of delivery occurs within the following hour: expulsion of the placenta. New uterine contractions expel this organ that has completed its work.
A vaginal delivery therefore causes extreme stretching of vaginal and perineal muscles and tissues. That’s why they need time to retract and return to their “normal” state.
Epidural during childbirth
Furthermore, a woman may also receive an epidural to relieve contraction pain.
Basically, the anesthesiologist injects a local anesthetic into the epidural space, between two vertebrae. If multiple injections are needed during labor, a catheter must be placed in the back. Depending on the situation, the drug is administered continuously or regularly.
The obvious advantage of an epidural is pain relief, which by extension reduces stress and fatigue. The expectant mother can then remain awake and conserve her strength before the pushing stage. Furthermore, the anesthesia of the lower part of the body also facilitates medical interventions if needed.
Why refuse an epidural?
However, the epidural also presents several disadvantages:
Before requesting an epidural, be aware of the disadvantages and risks. Discuss this with your doula, your midwife, and the anesthesiologist in advance. Note that a doula may not have a medical background!
How to rehabilitate your perineum after childbirth?
Indeed, vaginal birth is a real trauma for the vagina and perineum. However, pregnancy itself weakens the pelvic floor. Therefore, even after a cesarean section, recovery of this area takes time.
You must take care of your perineum and vagina after childbirth, no matter how it occurred.
Adopting good daily habits
This helps to reduce urinary leaks, organ prolapse and other issues specific to women’s physiology after childbirth. First, adopt good practices:
Doing abdominal-pelvic rehabilitation
Then, undergo proper perineal and abdominal muscle rehabilitation with a specialized physiotherapist or midwife.
After the sessions, they will always advise you to continue doing Kegel exercises at home on a daily basis (contractions and relaxations of the pelvic muscles). This way, your vagina and perineum will maintain good tone.
Continue exercises at home
To maintain a toned perineum, there are solutions to help you. The medical device Emy for example, allows you to do your perineal rehabilitation at home.
Equipped with a probe connected to an application, you do your rehabilitation by playing games on your phone. Medical protocols are actually hidden behind the mini-games of this patented innovation to promote compliance.
Many healthcare professionals recommend the Emy probe to their patients because it allows for real progress monitoring and especially scheduling reminders not to forget their exercises.
En savoir plus sur la sonde Emy
Be patient and indulgent with yourself
Pregnancy and childbirth have put your body through a lot for several months. It is important to take care of it and focus on your postpartum recovery. This includes the rehabilitation of your pelvic floor… and above all, a lot of patience and indulgence towards yourself.
Guide gratuit : Rééducation du Périnée post-partum
Tous nos conseils pour prendre soin de son périnée après la grossesse et prévenir les problèmes intimes 👩🍼
