What happens to the vagina after delivery? Will it be as before? And will it still be the same to make love? It is useless to go around it: we all wondered before facing the most exciting but also “shocking” experience there is, namely that of childbirth. Between uncertainties and some understandable fears, doubts can be many and it is not uncommon arrive unprepared at all what happens after to the body and in a particular way to their private parts.
As the protagonist of the famous film says Look Who’s Talking “pass something the size of a coconut through an opening the size of a lemon “ it can lead to a bit of upheaval, on a psychological level and beyond.
Because if, in most cases, the preparto courses prepare us for the topical moment of the birth of the child, what happens next, on an anatomical levelto our private parts, it often remains shrouded in mystery or, at best, the object of confidences between friends.
Even if every woman is different and every birth represents a case in itself, however address this issue without taboos and to dispel many still-rooted false myths, we had a chat with Violeta Beninimidwife, Sex Expert and Perinatal Educator, better known on social networks as the divulger (@violetabenini).
«The thought is often that the vagina is devastated by childbirth – explains Violeta Benini – when in reality it is not so. Based on my experience, I can say that there are vaginas of women who have given birth, from which one would absolutely not think a child has passed. What it matters a lot is how it was before pregnancybecause they are often present even before the birth of pelvic floor dysfunction of which many women ignore the existence “.
That said, between post partum lootations, urine leakage at the first sneeze or points of the episiotomy that “pull”a recurring doubt after the baby is born, is whether the vagina will ever return to its original appearance.
“In some cases i fabrics can lose elasticity – explains Violeta Benini – The vagina is in fact detached from the muscles that surround it but its health strictly depends on how the muscles work and how much they are able to carry blood and nutrients, keeping it active. She often tends to ignore it but after pregnancy and childbirth, the muscles can remain looser but also more tense because a lot depends on how the birth went. The episiotomy often involves, for example, a contracture on the opposite side to the one where the stitches were placed: if the muscle has been cut, the other part will in fact have to take on all the effort and may be contracted ».
To this are often added too modifications of the vulvar lipswhich may appear more lasseAnd changes in the vaginal flora that may involve dysbiosis or vaginosis and let one warn you greater dryness. But do not panic: what is good to know, in fact, is that it is, in most cases, of conditions that can be managed and resolved.
“As far as postpartum dysbiosis is concerned, it will be enough to find an expert who can suggest a suitable supplement therapy – specifies Violeta Benini – and to plump the lips you can start the pelvic floor with a rehabilitation that can reelasticise the tissues. However, we must always rely on experts who are able to suggest targeted techniques according to the individual case, avoiding do-it-yourself. In fact, it is often thought that postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation always and only means Kegel exercises but this is not the case. There are different solutions depending on the problem to be solved. In general, I advise women who are facing a pregnancy to always keep the perineum healthy so as to have a better chance of having a good birth and above all a better recovery ».
The other crucial question it concerns the sexual sphere. Changes in the vagina after the birth of a baby inevitably end up having an impact on sex life. According to the experts intercourse can be resumed six weeks after birth, a period of time that however – let’s face it – may not be enough for a woman to fully recover from a vaginal birth. Especially when she has to deal with the pain or discomfort caused by the episiotomy or from a perineal tear.
«It doesn’t happen to all but if the points of the episiotomy cause pain in that area it is always good to investigate – recommends the disclosure – It is not enough to be told by the doctor “it will pass“. If vaginosis or dysbiosis is present, in fact, that pain can last for years because these complications do not allow the tissues to heal adequately. Usually women are told that it is normal for the scar to hurt when it is important to manage the pain immediately.
But how to handle that pain when the episiotomy points make it difficult to even touch “Down there”?
“If the scar from the episiotiomy continues to bother, you can start by simply resting your hand and then, slowly, gaining confidence, you can try with small ones self-massage – the midwife still suggests – If it does not pass you can contact experienced professionals in the treatment of vulvar scars: Unfortunately, there is not much information on this subject, but there are professionals of this type. These are obstetricians or physiotherapists who are suitably trained to perform treatments capable of reduce the adhesions created by the scar“.
How long after the birth of the child will it be possible to resume one’s sexual life without fear? There is no right answer why the only rule must be to respect one’s own times without making an effort.
“It is right to go back to having sex after childbirth when a woman feels like it – specifies Violeta Benini – in fact, we must consider that a decrease in physiological libido may also occur and a woman may feel no desire for up to 6 months after giving birth. If a woman, with her head, wishes to have an intimate relationship but her body does not want it, it can become painful ».
This however, it does not mean that intimate relationships are destined to disappear.
“This society is used to thinking of an intimate relationship only as coitus, excluding all other forms of loving each other – concludes Violeta Benini – Without libido it is true that there will be little desire to receive stimulation on the genitals, but the body can enjoy caresses and massages. You can maybe stay naked and use candles and scented oils. This, as well as other things to do together, will be able help the couple maintain intimacy even without coitus ».
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Source: Vanity Fair
