Moms, if you have had a ‘normal’ vaginal delivery, more often than not, the vagina would have been stretched and become larger than it was before. This is because during childbirth, the pelvic muscles get stretched and the vaginal muscles loosen. So, you then wonder, is there a way on how to tighten your vagina after giving birth?
Read here for:
- Will I be loose after having a baby
- How to tighten your vagina after giving birth
- How to take care of your vagina after giving birth
Will I be loose after having a baby
One of the most common complaints new moms get to hear from their hubbies with regards to sex is that, the vagina feels “too loose” and that, they “can’t feel anything” during sex.
According to MayoClinic, this is because “after childbirth, decreased muscle tone in the vagina might reduce pleasurable friction during sex — which can influence arousal.”
This can dampen the mom’s confidence in bed and make her feel less sexy. This often leads to a less satisfactory time in bed, which may eventually affect your marriage.
According to Dr. Suzy Elneil, consultant in urogynaecology at University College Hospital in London, your vagina may appear bigger than before.
“The vaginal area may feel looser, softer, and more ‘open,'” she explains. It could also appear bruised or swollen.
This is typical, and the swelling and openness should begin to subside within a few days of your baby’s birth. Your vaginal tissue will most likely not restore to its pre-birth shape, but this should not be an issue. If you are concerned, you may talk to your health provider or doctor and they will guide you through it.
The amount of vaginal stretching that happens during childbirth depends on:
- The size of the baby
- Genetics
- Whether or not you did pelvic floor exercises during pregnancy to tone those muscles in preparation of childbirth.
- How long you pushed during delivery, and whether forceps or vacuum extraction were used etc
- How many deliveries you’ve had before – each delivery is likely to stretch your vagina a tiny bit more.
The good part? The vagina not only has the ability to expand but also the capacity to contract.
Loose vagina after birth: How to tighten your vagina after giving birth
Here then, are 7 ways on how to take care of your vagina after giving birth, which can help you get your sexy back in the bedroom!
1. Ben-Wa balls
Ben Wa balls are small marble-sized balls that can be used to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and tighten the vagina. You might want to use lubrication on the balls to help them glide in. Hold the balls inside you by tensing your leg muscles together and doing kegel exercises.
Start out with 15 minutes then try to go longer.
2. Kegels Exercises
The best way to tone your pelvic floor muscles is to do Kegel exercises. And it’s best to start doing them during pregnancy, as it makes it easier for those muscles to get back in shape post-delivery.
Simply tighten your pelvic muscles like you are trying to stop peeing. The best part about Kegels is that you can do them whenever and wherever you want.
Start by holding the squeeze for 4 or 5 seconds at first. When you get better at them, aim to keep the muscles contracted for 10 seconds at a time, relaxing for 10 seconds in between ‘squeezes’. Try to do at least three sets of Kegels through your day.
In fact, for best results, it is recommended that moms do Kegels 5 minutes a day, 3 times a day during pregnancy and after birth.
3. Leg raises
These simple exercises are a great way to tighten your vaginal muscles naturally.
To do a leg raise, lie down on your back on the floor, and raise your legs upwards one after the other. Make sure that your legs are straight while lifting and lowering them.
A variation to this technique involves moving both of your legs sideways. For best results, do this exercise for around ten minutes, and repeat it for at least five times everyday.
4. Orgasms
How to tighten your vagina? Have an orgasm! Yes, that’s right! Did you know that during an orgasm, the pelvic floor muscles contract and release? So the more you orgasm, the more you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. And the stronger your pelvic floor muscles are, the better you orgasm. As simple as that *wink*.
5. Vaginal cones
Have you heard of a vaginal cone?
A vaginal cone is a cone-shaped device that looks like a regular tampon, but has weights attached to it. (The weights can usually be inserted into the cones.)
You can start by inserting the lightest cone into your vagina, and try to hold it in with the use of your muscles. Repeat this twice every day for 15 minutes. Then, gradually increase the weights as you progress. After using, make sure to wash the cones with warm soapy water and rinse.
6. Yoga
Photo by Elina Fairytale from Pexels
Yoga and pilates also offer benefits when it comes to tightening vagina after delivery. Yoga poses like the Child’s Pose, Bridge Pose, etc are apparently recommended for this purpose. However, yoga if done incorrectly can lead to physical problems, so it is always wiser to consult a certified yoga teacher before trying out such exercises.
7. Diet
Well, “you are what you eat”, and it applies even to your vagina!
Consuming foods that are high in natural estrogens, such as fenugreek, sesame seeds, pomegranates, soybeans and its products, yarns, carrots, wheat berries and apples can help in tightening vagina after delivery.
It is also beneficial to have lots of wholegrain organic carbohydrates, fresh organic vegetables and fruits, as well as organic lean animal protein.
READ MORE:
5 Reasons why sex after birth hurts and what you can do about it
How to take care of your vagina after giving birth? | Here’s what to expect
Pregnancy alters your body in more ways than you might think, and the changes don’t end once your newborn is delivered. Following giving birth, here’s what to expect physically and emotionally.
1. Vaginal Soreness
The wound may pain for a few weeks if you had a vaginal tear after birth or if your doctor performed an incision. Larger tears may take longer to heal. To help you relax while you’re recovering:
- Sit on a cushioned pillow.
- While passing pee, use a squeeze bottle to pour warm water over the perineum.
- For five minutes, soak in a warm bath just deep enough to cover your buttocks and hips. If you like a more relaxing experience, use cold water.
- Use an ice pack to cool the area, or sandwich a chilled witch hazel pad between a sanitary napkin and the area between your vaginal opening and anus (perineum).
- Take a pain reliever from the drugstore.
2. Contractions
During the first few days after birth, you may experience intermittent contractions, sometimes known as afterpains.
By compressing the blood vessels in the uterus, these contractions, which resemble menstruation pains, help avoid excessive bleeding. Breast-feeding causes afterpains, which are caused by the hormone oxytocin being released. An over-the-counter pain treatment may be recommended by your doctor.
3. Vaginal discharge
Following birth, the superficial mucous membrane that lined your uterus throughout pregnancy will begin to shed. For weeks, you’ll have vaginal discharge consisting of this membrane and blood. For the first few days, the discharge will be crimson and heavy. Then it will thin out, become more watery, and change color from pinkish brown to yellowish white.
If you experience excessive vaginal bleeding that soaks a pad in less than an hour, call your doctor, especially if it’s accompanied by pelvic pain, a fever, or tenderness.
4. Hemorrhoids and bowel movements
You may have enlarged veins in the anus or lower rectum if you have pain during bowel movements and feel swelling near your anus (hemorrhoids). To relieve pain while your hemorrhoids heal, try the following:
- Apply a hydrocortisone-containing over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream or suppository.
- Use witch hazel or a numbing substance in the pads.
- Two to three times a day, soak your anal area in plain warm water for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Incontinence
The pelvic floor muscles, which support the uterus, bladder, and rectum, can be stretched or injured during pregnancy, labor, and a vaginal birth. Sneezing, laughing, or coughing may cause you to leak a few drips of urine. These issues normally go away within a few weeks, although they can last a long time.
Wear sanitary pads and conduct pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegels) to tone your pelvic floor muscles and regulate your bladder in the meanwhile.
Postpartum check-up
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, postpartum care should be a continuous procedure rather than a one-time visit after birth. Within the first three weeks after delivery, make contact with your health care provider. Continue to see your health care physician for a full postpartum examination within 12 weeks of birth.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Singapore
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