Anybody else have a stretched vagina after giving birth?

[Janie]

I am also seeing a physio who specialises in PN care, and she is wonderful. I had a four hour second stage,and although I don't have a prolapse, I do have issues with a weak pelvic floor. So it's great to have someone help me out, I could never have figured it out on my own!

I would recommend a specialist physio to anyone who is having issues post-birth.

[BellyBelly]

Kristen Manallack from the BB Centre is an Osteo who did her masters in the pelvic floor, I find Osteo to be more effective than physio. I dont have pelvic floor issues but it's always worth getting it treated if you do. With assisted deliveries you are more likely to have problems. More reasons to avoid interventions where possible

[Deltadawn]

Thanks Bea for posting about this issue! I was logging on to ask pretty much what you just asked and was astounded that it is quite common.

Some days it feels like my vagina is going to fall out especially when I go out walking or have been on my feet for a while!! It sometimes also fills up with water which DH thinks is a great party trick. He said everything feels normal for him while DTD.

I didnt notice the prolapse until I was 4 weeks pregnant with baby #2 and now I'm worried about giving birth naturally. I mentioned it to my Ob (who is also a gynaecologist) when I had the dating scan for this baby and he didnt seem too concerned, he just said not to hold my breath when lifting or exerting as well as to continue with my pelvic floor exercises. I didnt even ask him about giving birth naturally this time around but will at my next appointment.

[AnyDream]

Tonydayl I asked about possible prolapse issues before I fell pg with DD2. My GP indicated that it shouldn't present a problem during pregnancy or birth, and to keep up the pelvic floor exercises, allow time for recovery after the pregnancy. She seemed to think that any further intervention (ie specialised physio and/or surgical repair) was usually left until women have finished having all their babies - and often not until you're properly menopausal which is when it usually becomes a problem (even for women who've never had kids). Obviously if you're experiencing discomfort or it's affecting your life before then then seek help, but in general it's not considered an issue in pregnancy.

HTH - I know how worrying it can be!

[satya]

I had a similar birth to yours - long, 2 hours pushing, vac extraction (bub wasn't as big as yours though). I also had stitching (not sure if you had that). I felt completely back to normal by 3 weeks post delivery. My DF commented when we first DTD that things actually felt tighter (perhaps from the stitching, don't know). I did have quite a bit of the downwards pressure you mentioned but it was gone by the 3 week mark.

If I were you I'd definately be seeking a second opinion.

[loulabelle]

I would seek a second opinion for sure.

I pushed for an hour and a half with my labor.Although I didn't have forceps or the Vac, I did have a nasty Episiotomy.

I was still in a heap of pain 2 months later so I went to the Doc and found out that the had stitched me up incorrectly.They had to restitch all over again.

Probably not the same problem you have but I would still go to see a different Doctor.

Oh....And the hospital originally told me it was all fine 3 weeks after birth.

[Deltadawn]

Thanks Marydean for letting me know that. It is reassuring to know that it shouldnt be a problem, like I said, the Ob didnt seem too concerned by it.

Satya and Laurab - All was good and dandy after the birth (almost good as new) and then it just happened when I fell pregnant with Baby #2 just a few months ago. I dont know whether the extra pressure of the pregnancy on the uterus has made it drop or something?

[Akira]

Since giving birth to my first (which was long and prolonged) my vagina was stretched and did not seem to be going back to it's normal pre pregnancy dimensions, which was probably a fault of my husband who was fascinated by my new vagina and he couldn't leave it alone and after a period of discomfort I couldn't resist his attention either and really enjoyed it. My vagina has remained reasonably constant (as in still stretched) over the years and after the next two pregnancys, but it doesn't seem to have gotten any bigger, but I seem to be able to accommodate a lot more.

I never got used to it filling up with water, but have grown to live with it, still gives me a bit of a surprise, no matter how I prepare for it. If I persist, I seem to adapt to the temperature after a few minutes.

[bec.r]

Hi, I am a physiotherapist who works specifically in Women's Health (pelvic floor and pregnancy) up on the gold coast. If your feeling that your vagina is stretched and you are getting a heaviness/dragging sensation it is the first symptom of a prolapse. It is best to be reviewed by your obstetrician or GP, and book in with a Pelvic Floor Physio. Even when you are doing your PF exercises the majority of women are doing them incorrectly, and these are the muslces that will tighten your vagina and support against prolapses. It is imperative that you are informed about these exercises in your child bearing years, especially if you have signs of a prolapse and/or you leaking urine at any time other then going to the bathroom. The earlier you get onto these problems the easier they tend to be sorted out.