It’s time we had a conversation that’s long overdue - vaginal care and health, especially in the postpartum stage. We have a baby and are given some basic instructions for cleansing and the relief of discomfort, but there’s a lot going on down there that goes unmentioned. 

Stitches, tearing, and bruising are just the beginning of postpartum vaginal care issues to deal with. There are also wildly fluctuating hormones, the effects of breastfeeding, and the fact that your body is trying to remember how it functioned before it was responsible for growing a new human. 

Postpartum vaginal care and health is an extremely important topic but often overlooked. Whether you’re three days postpartum or three months, let’s talk about what to expect and how to care for yourself. So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, get comfy, and let’s dive in. 

Childbirth, whether vaginal or via C-section, is a transformative event. We know this to be the case emotionally and from a life perspective, but it’s also transformative for our bodies – including the vagina. 

After the incredible whirlwind of bringing a new life into the world, it’s only natural that you feel as though your relationship with your nether regions is a bit rocky. Everything hurts. It’s swollen, and going to the bathroom seems like a form of torture. 

Eventually, this stage will pass. Soon, the ice pads and peri wash bottles will be a thing of the past. But, you’re also faced with the new challenge of becoming reacquainted with your vagina, which may look and feel different than it did a few months ago. You might also be experiencing symptoms you weren’t expecting as the body works to recover and return back to its pre-pregnancy state. 

As you’re navigating this delicate season of life, take time to care for yourself and nurture your mental health, also. Consider supplements that are safe for the post-partum period, such as vitamin D3, and sea buckthorn with omega-7 fatty acids.

Immediately following childbirth, the vagina naturally goes through changes as it recovers from the trauma of childbirth. Being sore and swollen is expected immediately following birth, but these are symptoms that don’t always go away as quickly as hoped. 

Even three months postpartum, the vagina can be swollen, tender, and still very sensitive. The tissues are still healing, and you may find that irritation and dryness associated with fluctuating hormones have you feeling uncomfortable. 

By this stage, you might want to return to your regular personal care routines, but harsh soaps and fragranced feminine care products will only make symptoms worse. It’s still important to use gentle cleansers that won’t irritate delicate tissues. 

If you’re still experiencing irritation, speak with your doctor about over-the-counter remedies, and also look at supporting your vaginal health through nutrition. A diet that’s rich in anti-inflammatory foods, omega-7 fatty acids, powerful antioxidants like sea berry, and vitamin D3 can help calm inflammation and restore moisture naturally. 

Doctors and midwives like to recommend the magical six to eight-week mark for the return of sexual intimacy. While most couples will return to their regularly scheduled programs when ready, it really is important to wait the six weeks. 

If you had a vaginal birth, the tissues are still healing before this point. In fact, they’re still recovering after the six-week mark, but noticeable symptoms of discomfort, inflammation, and irritation have often resolved by this point. 

However, it’s important to not introduce anything into the vagina before the six-week mark, due to the risk of infection. When giving birth, the placenta detaches from the uterus. This leaves a wound the size of a dinner plate in your uterus. It’s not a pretty picture to imagine, but it really stresses the importance of abstaining from sexual activity until you’re fully healed. 

Some women feel that “things” won’t feel the same for them or their partner after giving birth. It does take time for everything to return to normal, but if you’re truly lacking any sensation, it’s important to contact your doctor to make sure there’s not another issue such as nerve damage or scar tissue. 

While you might be excited to be intimate with your partner again, you wouldn’t be the first woman to be surprised that a lack of lubrication is an issue. It’s all about the hormones and how they’re performing acrobatics as they settle back into place after birth. 

Over-the-counter lubricants and organic coconut oil can help provide the necessary lubrication in the moment, but diet and supplementation with sea buckthorn with omega 7 can help restore vaginal moisture in the weeks and months following childbirth.

If you’re breastfeeding, it’s common to experience a longer period of vaginal “drought”. Again, it’s the hormones that are to blame. Breastfeeding can suppress estrogen production due to another hormone called prolactin. 

Prolactin is what signals the body to produce milk, but it also blocks estrogen, which is why it seems like things have dried up down there. 

When breastfeeding, it’s crucial to be mindful of what you’re putting into your body, especially when it comes to medication and supplements. Choosing a supplement, such as sea buckthorn with omega-7, that is safe for you and the little one you’re breastfeeding is a gentle way to restore vaginal moisture while breastfeeding. 

There is no shortage of feminine care products that claim to support vaginal health, but in reality, many of them are made with unrecognizable chemicals and irritating fragrances. Who wants that – especially in the postpartum period? 

The best way to support a healthy vagina after having a baby is by caring for your body from the inside out, through a healthy lifestyle, nourishing food, and supplements that help to restore moisture and lubrication. Vitamin D3 and omega-rich sea berry oil are just two examples. 

Most importantly, don’t neglect your feminine health, but also your mental health. Schedule and make your healthcare appointments and don’t wait to seek help if you need it.