A person can expect changes to their vagina after giving birth. Common changes include perineal pain, pain during sex, bleeding, and vaginal dryness.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), it is not unusual for people to notice new and uncomfortable vaginal changes after giving birth.
To ensure a safe recovery, people should have several postpartum checkups with their OB-GYN, with the first checkup being within 3 weeks of delivery. Postpartum care is an ongoing process and requires more than a single visit.
This article will discuss the vaginal changes a person can expect after giving birth. It will also cover tips for postpartum recovery.
The NHS notes that it is normal for a person’s vagina to appear wider than it did pre-birth. The swelling and openness should subside in a few days.
Even so, vaginal laxity is a
Tips
Although a person’s vagina may not return to its pre-birth shape, this is not a cause for concern.
However, people can try pelvic floor exercises, or Kegel exercises, to help tone the vaginal muscles. This can help prevent urinary incontinence.
This may also help sex to feel more pleasurable. However, sexual pleasure is complex and there are many factors that can affect it.
If a person finds that they are experiencing difficulties with sexual pleasure or are concerned about the width of their vagina, they should contact a healthcare professional.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) does not recommend elective plastic surgery, vaginoplasty, or radio-frequency or laser procedures. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved these for postpartum vaginal laxity.
Some sources refer to these procedures as “vaginal rejuvenation,” which is a marketing term and not a medical condition.
Postpartum vaginal dryness is
Vaginal dryness results from low estrogen, and those who are nursing have lower levels of estrogen than those who are not nursing.
It can make sex uncomfortable or painful and may cause some light bleeding.
Tips
According to the NHS, once a person stops nursing and their periods have returned, the estrogen count should revert to pre-pregnancy levels and any noticeable vaginal dryness should improve.
In the meantime, people can try the following to ease any discomfort:
- taking estrogen supplements
- avoiding douches and personal hygiene sprays
- staying hydrated
- applying a vaginal moisturizer
- using a lubricant during sex or foreplay
- communicating with their sexual partner
According to the ACOG, the type, intensity, and duration of pain and soreness will vary from person to person. However, the NHS notes that most people should improve within 6–12 weeks after birth.
People may experience one or more of the following symptoms after childbirth:
- cramping
- back, neck, or joint pain
- soreness in the perineum, which in females is the area between the vagina and anus
- swollen or sore breasts
Those who underwent an episiotomy, which is when a doctor makes an incision in the perineum to widen the vaginal opening, or had perineal tears, may need stitches.
The NHS notes that approximately 9 in 10 people who undergo a vaginal birth for the first time will have a tear, graze, or episiotomy. Stitches should heal within 1 month after delivery.
Tips
Mild vaginal tears that occur during delivery can take a
To help with the pain in the meantime, a person can:
- take over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as ibuprofen
- sit on a padded ring
- apply an ice pack to cool the area
Anyone who is concerned about the healing process and pain should consult a doctor or midwife before taking any OTC pain relievers.
According to the ACOG, some bleeding and discharge after delivery is normal. It may first appear bright red in color and become lighter and pinker in color within a few days. Over time, the flow will decrease and eventually stop.
Some may experience postpartum vaginal discharge that lasts for
People who experience excessive bleeding should seek immediate medical attention as it could be a sign of postpartum hemorrhage or uterine atony. Healthcare professionals define excessive bleeding as filling more than two pads per hour for more than 1–2 hours.
According to
Tips
Postpartum discharge is an inevitable part of the healing process.
To make things easier, a person should avoid using tampons until after their 6-week postnatal check. They can also use sanitary pads until the discharge stops.
People will experience some postpartum bleeding or lochia after giving birth.
Lochia contains mucus, white blood cells, tissue, and blood. The womb sheds this menstrual-period-like mixture of fluid and tissue so the body can replace its uterine lining after delivery.
The ACOG notes that it will usually occur within 24 hours after giving birth, but it may happen up to 12 weeks later.
According to the
Individuals who lose more than 1000 milliliters of blood within 24 hours of giving birth should seek medical attention immediately as it could be a sign of a postpartum hemorrhage.
Those who are interested in reconnecting with their partner on a physical level may experience dyspareunia or pain with sex.
According to a
While there is no timeline as to when a person can have sex again after giving birth, most doctors recommend that people wait 4–6 weeks following vaginal delivery.
Those who had an episiotomy or perineal tear should wait until the site has completely healed, as having sex too soon can increase a person’s risk of postpartum hemorrhage and uterine infection.
Learn more about when a person can have sex after being pregnant here.
Tips
People can try the following to help alleviate any pain or discomfort during postpartum sex:
- Taking things slowly and starting with other intimate activities first, such as a massage, oral sex, or mutual masturbation.
- Considering using a water-based lubricant during sexual activity.
- Communicating with their partner about the pain they are experiencing and which activities are pleasurable and which are not.
Those who continue to feel pain during sex should contact a healthcare professional.
If a person’s vaginal canal is unable to stretch far enough to deliver the baby, the perineum may tear or the doctor will perform an episiotomy.
Excessive, raised, or itchy scar tissue may form around the tear or incision area.
Those who are concerned about perineal tears can massage their perineum within the last few weeks of pregnancy to reduce their chances of requiring an episiotomy.
A person should talk with a healthcare professional regarding the best way to massage the perineum.
While some people may experience heavier, longer, or more painful periods following delivery, others may find that their periods improve.
Those who bottle-feed or combine bottle feeding with nursing may have their first period 5–6 weeks after giving birth.
According to the ACOG, people who are not nursing should begin ovulating within a few weeks of childbirth. There may be a delay to ovulation for up to 6 months for people who are nursing.
Within the first few days after giving birth, some people may experience pain or burning while urinating.
Urinary incontinence is also common during pregnancy and after childbirth.
According to the Urology Care Foundation, the number of children a person has, from both cesarean and vaginal delivery, may increase their risk for urinary incontinence. In addition, people who have urinary incontinence during pregnancy are more likely to have it after childbirth.
Postpartum urinary incontinence usually goes away once a person’s pelvic muscles regain their strength. People who experience long-term incontinence should contact a healthcare professional.
Tips
People can try the following to ease their discomfort:
- drinking water
- running water in the sink while using the bathroom
- soaking in a warm bath
- doing Kegel exercises to strengthen their pelvic muscles
People can
This may occur as a result of:
- fatigue
- decreased levels of desire
- psychological changes after pregnancy
- postpartum depression
- pain or discomfort during sex
People who are having difficulty achieving orgasm or experiencing sexual dysfunction after giving birth should contact a doctor to see if an underlying condition could be exacerbating the issue.
Pregnancy increases the body’s production of estrogen and progesterone.
This influx of hormones leads to increased blood flow, which may cause the labia to darken.
These changes may be temporary or permanent, depending on the person.
The postpartum period begins after a person gives birth, lasting
A 2021 article notes that the postpartum recovery period is likely to be
An older article from 2010 notes that the postpartum period consists of three phases. Healthcare professionals refer to the last phase as the delayed postpartum period, which can last for
During this recovery period, a person should ensure that they:
- Attend every checkup: According to the ACOG, checkups can help to ensure a person’s physical, mental, and emotional health are on the right track. It recommends that healthcare professionals provide 12 weeks of postpartum support.
- Eat a well-balanced diet: To fight off fatigue and constipation, people should aim to eat a combination of complex carbs, protein, and fiber. Drinking plenty of fluids, participating in light exercise, such as walking, and using the bathroom when the urge comes can also prevent constipation.
- Rest: Rest is an essential part of recovery. New mothers should get plenty of rest in the first
2–3 weeks after childbirth.
While general discomfort is typical during postpartum recovery, other more severe symptoms such as pain and heavy bleeding are not.
A person who has one or more of the following symptoms should contact their doctor immediately:
- heavy vaginal bleeding such as filling more than 2 pads in 1–2 hours
- passing large blood clots
- a fever
- dizziness or fainting
- blurred vision
- severe, persistent headaches
- vaginal discharge with a foul or strong odor
- vomiting
- progressively worse abdominal pain or new abdominal pain
- swelling or pain in the legs
People should also seek medical help if they experience any symptoms of postpartum depression.
After birth, a person can expect changes to their vagina, including:
- vaginal width
- vaginal dryness
- soreness
- discharge
- bleeding
- pain during sex
- scar tissue
- urinary incontinence
- difficulty achieving orgasm
- changes in the color of the vulva and vaginal opening
Healthcare professionals define the postpartum recovery period as the first 6 weeks after giving birth. The time it takes to recover will vary depending on the person. Those who have ongoing or severe symptoms should contact a doctor.