Changes to 🐱

I can’t offer any advice but just wanted to say you’re not alone - I had a forceps delivery and an episiotomy, I’m now nearly 8 weeks PP and terrified about how things are looking and feeling down there😞 I completely understand you feeling extremely downhearted as I am the same, worried it’ll never go back to normal😭

Mine also looks different after birth, I was worried it was a prolapse or something. But both the midwife and GP said its just the labia stretched during birth, might go back to normal might not. Just know you're not the only one to have changes down there. I'm also 8 weeks pp today x

This is immensely helpful. Motherhood has been glorious - I wish THIS is what they’d prepared me for.

They don't speak about after birth/postpartum enough imo x

@Valentina Mcillmurray this is exactly how mine appears. But there’s also no obvious “canal” beneath that, just puffy pink flesh. Honestly, it’s so distressing seeing that and not knowing if that’s just my body now or if something is wrong.

Could it be a prolapse? In my area you can refer yourself for women's health physio, who help with these sorts of things. Is this something you could see if you can do where you are too? X

I wondered this. Apparently my uterus is intact and not prolapsed so I assume it can only be my vaginal wall if so. I’m hoping to be referred to a gyno to see properly

I think this can happen following birth, so definitely worth following it up x

I’ve got a similar issue with what you’re seeing. My gp advised it’s not a prolapse, it’s as expected pp but she said to keep doing my pelvic floor exercises as it is a little saggy internally. I’ve had to stop looking at it because it just gets me down but I have noticed it’s changing very slowly so hopefully in time will go back to some resemblance of pre baby. I didn’t have a traumatic birth I just had a 2nd degree tear so it may not be anything to do with your birth as such and more just the joys of childbirth that absolutely no one prepares you for. There isn’t even anything online to explain or give a heads up that this is normal. I’m seeing a private physio who specialises in this area in Jan to just get some extra reassurance especially on whether I’m doing the right pelvic floor exercise for me

@Danielle thank you for being open and sharing your experience. I so appreciate you showing me how “un alone” I am in this. And yes, looking online really gives me no answers at all, I can’t believe it. I’m terribly depressed, I can think of nothing else

I have exactly the same, it’s at the opening, feels and looks different. Just looks blocked by it

@Carys did you ever speak to someone about it? Is this fairly typical?

I know you haven’t replied to me but I just wanted to let you know I raised this with my gp and whilst he didn’t check it he did say it takes at least 3 months for your uterus to fully shrink back and so it’s likely pushing down my organs hence what I’m seeing and feeling (I’m 10weeks op now and not really seen a huge improvement). I’ve noticed some days the ball isn’t there like everything is back in its place then most days I can actually see a ball there and it feels like I’ve got a tampon half in. I’m seeing a private physio who specialises in this area on Tuesday so happy to share with you what she says as I will be pushing her on whether this is normal or not as this feels life changing to me. Some days it is sooo uncomfortable and even basic things like rocking my baby or wearing him in a sling I can actually feel the ball like it’s falling out it’s honestly the worst.

@Danielle I would really appreciate an update - thank you. I truly hope it all goes the best for you. I’m in the exact same boat - it feels completely life altering and it’s bizarre that there isn’t more knowledge/support around this? Some days for me, it feels so swollen down there that when I use the loo, it’s like something going to come out. I’m scared of doing anything to exacerbate the issue. It’s caused a lot of depression too. Still haven’t even had sex and it’s been 12 weeks. Like, for me this can’t be normal cuz I don’t understand how anyone can continue with life like this. Best of luck on Tuesday. X

Of course I’d be more than happy too. I completely understand how you’re feeling I’m a bit the same although I’ve spoken to friends who’ve been diagnosed with prolapses in the past which has helped me immensely as they’ve confirmed it’s completely fixable and will get better in time. Pelvic floor exercises definitely help though. I downloaded the nhs one called Squeezy and have done it a handful of times and I do think that has helped. I noticed a huge difference the day after doing it but it has come back again and I’m finding it hard to keep doing it with a young baby and toddler to take care of. I’ve also not had sex yet either. With my last baby which was an emergency c section we tried sex at 6-8 weeks and my husband couldn’t even get it in it was like something was blocking him but we tried again at 12 weeks and it was fine so I’m hoping what I’m experiencing now was the case last time just a bit worse cos I had to push a baby out this time and I wasn’t full term last time