Anyone else?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-10-2007
Anyone else?
8
Tue, 03-13-2007 - 2:14pm
Anyone else not as "snug" down there as they were before childbirth? It has been 1 year, and a million kegels. Just wondering if I am the only one?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2007
Tue, 03-13-2007 - 2:21pm

Try Kegel excercise balls, like these:

http://www.tantra.com/catalog/product_150.html

That'll help strengthen the muscle some more.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-11-2003
Tue, 03-13-2007 - 2:43pm
You're not alone. I notice a slight difference in myself, too.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2006
Tue, 03-13-2007 - 4:04pm

Having a baby has no permanent effect on your vaginal muscles. Kegels have no effect on vaginal muscles, either. Kegels theoretically tightens your PC muscle, which surrounds the vagina, as well as your urethral sphincter and your clitoris.

If you didn't have an episiotomy when you delivered your baby, it's possible that the PC muscle was torn, and not repaired, or not repaired properly. That would make the opening of the vagina looser.

Your vaginal muscles are called "involuntary" muscles, which means you can't "exercise" them. They close tight when not in use, and when you're aroused, (or about to deliver a baby) they relax, but they only relax enough to allow the penis to enter, they don't just "fall open" like a gaping hole!

You might be more "relaxed" about sex than you used to be, and you're lubricating more...which could make it feel looser.

Think about it, if childbirth stretched the vagina permanently, then women who've had several children would have their vagina permanently hanging open, and that doesn't happen. If your PC muscle is looser, don't blame the baby, blame the doctor.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-19-2006
Wed, 03-14-2007 - 10:45am

My first son was actually born by c-section after a long labor with nearly 3 hours of pushing. It was the pushing that seemed to make a change in my muscles -- as he didn't pass through the opening at all! I also think many other things can affect the muscles, so do keep doing the kegel's and try the ben-wa balls as some one else mentioned.

I know that I felt it was a waste when the kegel exercises did not work quickly. I also think my hormones were messed up and I was not as aroused -- and my muscles were not reacting the same way during sex that they previously had. My children are a bit older now, less needy, my libido is higher, and my muscles are back in action. So, keep trying and eventually you will get there.



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-10-2007
Fri, 03-16-2007 - 7:58am
The individual ability for one's skin, muscle, and all tissues in general to retain elasticity is, for the most part, inherrited. As in all genetic issues. Just because one person "snaps" back, does not mean the next will. A PC muscle does not have to be torn or damaged to have lost it's elasticity. Muscles can - and will - permanately loose elasticity, due to age, genetics, and yes-childbirth. I know this because I have spent the last decade preserving the human body.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-10-2007
Fri, 03-16-2007 - 8:01am
Thanks everyone for the honest replies. This isn't really a topic that is easily discussed face-to-face with a friend.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2006
Fri, 03-16-2007 - 10:51am
Genetics play an important part in our whole body.....that's common knowledge. However, "involuntary" muscles such as the PC can be exercised and strenghthened (with Kegels), and the PC can be surgically corrected if necessary.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-2004
Fri, 03-16-2007 - 12:54pm
the pc muscle is voluntary not involuntary. I think you must have mis-typed.