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Original poster

To be traumatised by my own undercarriage?!

351 replies

NameChangeLifeChange · 15/08/2022 09:24

As I was wiping this morning it felt a bit sensitive down below which is unusual so I thought I’d have a look and see what’s going on.

WELL

I haven’t looked at my vulva since my second DC was born three years ago and dear god I will never look again. My poor vulva which, let’s be honest wouldn’t have won a beauty contest before but was perfectly serviceable and ‘normal’ looking’, looks like it’s been blended. Or put through a washing machine. I don’t think there is anything ‘wrong’ with it (infection, prolapse etc) but it looks awful. The labia are fine but inside there’s like a squishy circle (?!) that’s all flappy and messy with protruding skin. I actually almost felt tearful and hugely embarrassed that DH has seen it in all its messy glory.

Is this normal?! I’ve had two vaginal births. I don’t have any pain, might get some caneston in case of thrush but I don’t think there’s a medical issue it’s just a hideous mess. I had a smear recently and kind practice nurse didn’t say anything and I assume she would of I’d have had an abundance of genital warts/prolapse.

OP posts:
SouperNoodle · 16/08/2022 00:47

2 vaginal births and a prolapse that will not shift (surgeon advised against surgery due to age/circumstances etc) so mine looks awful. Genuinely just vile.
Still works mostly fine and DH hasn't said anything so I just bury my head in the sand and pretend it's all ok 😂

Popsicle33 · 16/08/2022 00:52

I'm howling at the one that looks like a scrunchie and Peter the Pile!

I've just looked at mine and it's like ham.

ShitPuffin · 16/08/2022 00:53

This thread has made me laugh.

and now have a horrifying hidden album of up close fanny pics on my phone

This in particular. 😂

Such a nice conversation. I hope anyone who had negative feelings about their vagina is now suitably reassured.

BoredofthisCrap7 · 16/08/2022 01:08

I find it a little sad that some doctors just basically tell women to go away and get on with it when they have birth injuries.

You don't need to put up with a rectocele, if you are having problems emptying your bowels there are methods to help, sure, but you can also have surgery to try to fix it.
I am certain that if men were the ones who sustained injuries giving birth, they would want prompt and proper care (and they would get it).

I know some people are not candidates for surgery, but an overwhelming amount of women are literally waved away by their doctors and never referred for further help.

Beaubeagle · 16/08/2022 01:10

I’ve had 3 vaginal deliveries. The first ended in an episiotomy that subsequently got infected. The midwife removed the stitches early so it all gaped open and didn’t heal properly. The following two deliveries resulted in large tears that weren’t ever stitched.

It’s an absolute car crash down there now and I’m fairly sure I have a mild prolapse but I’m too scared to know for sure. I’m also due another baby shortly (aged 40!) and in all honesty, my biggest fear is my undercarriage being made even much worse by this one!

DH loves it but I could honestly cry looking at it.

Festoonlights · 16/08/2022 02:54

I can’t believe it is expected to be ‘pretty’ and ‘normal’ down there after delivering the equivalent of a TV set! Mine has doubled and stretched in size and these days I thank god for fluffy pubes. I have a partial prolapse that doesn’t bother me.

I would love to know without vaginal childbirth does the undercarriage still age? What would it look like without babies.

I am okay with my vag. It’s done wonders for the world already. I look at mens appendages which are pretty revolting as well. Real genitals are just not that attractive! We are all in this together!

KangarooKenny · 16/08/2022 07:18

BadNomad · 16/08/2022 00:17

I have questions about piles...but I'm waiting for someone else to post a thread about them first. Feel free, someone.

What question ?
Ive noticed mine get worse in the heat. Had to resort to suppositories this year, whereas I’ve always survived with cream.

winewolfhowls · 16/08/2022 07:48

I'm jealous of the predator fanny, that sounds awesome. The skin on my bikini line seems to get even thinner and more sensitive as I age, making shaving really difficult

Dummycrusher · 16/08/2022 08:52

BoredofthisCrap7 · 16/08/2022 01:08

I find it a little sad that some doctors just basically tell women to go away and get on with it when they have birth injuries.

You don't need to put up with a rectocele, if you are having problems emptying your bowels there are methods to help, sure, but you can also have surgery to try to fix it.
I am certain that if men were the ones who sustained injuries giving birth, they would want prompt and proper care (and they would get it).

I know some people are not candidates for surgery, but an overwhelming amount of women are literally waved away by their doctors and never referred for further help.

Definitely worth investigating, but it's worth noting that surgical repairs are often quite major procedures with long recovery, which isn't ideal with small kids. Plus they can actually make things worse e.g. a hysterectomy can

Dummycrusher · 16/08/2022 08:56

Posted too soon. The repair itself can cause other issues, plus the first fix is the strongest but not expected to be permanent, so you're looking at multiple repairs which get weaker over time - so definitely not recommended if more kids are planned.

So for many women it makes sense to just manage minor issues with exercise at pessaries, or workarounds like splinting to have a poo.

LizzieSiddal · 16/08/2022 09:02

Love this thread🤣

I’ve had 2 CSection and my undercarriage still looks like it’s been mangled 🤣

ChagSameachDoreen · 16/08/2022 09:13

Never be ashamed of your vagina/vulva! It's an amazing organ, no matter what it looks like.

tappingout · 16/08/2022 10:28

I love this thread! You are my kinda people 😝 I found this last night and was silent laughing in bed to not wake the husband!

I had a little look a little while ago but did so by bending over in front of the mirror....BIG mistake! I was horrified at how baggy my V has become since childbirth!! Definitely don't remember being able to see quite so much inside before childbirth. Looked hideous!

I had looked at it led down a few days after birth with the help of a midwife but couldn't really see that much. The reason she was helping me was I had a category 4 tear (the worse) and episiotomy and she was really impressed with the stitch work and wanted to show me how 'neat' a job the surgeon had done!

It's not something I intend to look at again in a hurry that's for sure! It does feel different too during intercourse, but I put it down too tearing my whole perineum up to my cervix requiring some major stitching, so I'm thankful as it could be worse I guess! It may be a baggy vagina that looks like a black whole, but at least it works still 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

waterlego · 16/08/2022 10:37

DP described my crowning vag as 'huge, like it had been pumped up with a bicycle pump' but also 'glorious' so I think I should be proud?

Yes, I think you should be proud! Glorious is such a lovely word. Your partner sounds like a ‘good’un.

Caramac555 · 16/08/2022 10:53

BadNomad · 16/08/2022 00:17

I have questions about piles...but I'm waiting for someone else to post a thread about them first. Feel free, someone.

Is it the question about horrendous pregancy piles leaving a big flappy skin tag that could almost pass as displaced labia? Because my friend wants to know this too.

Tiggy321 · 16/08/2022 10:54

Many years ago whilst having a smear test, nurse described my lady bits as "the walls of a tunnel falling in"!!! Since had another baby (now 16!) so dread to think what she would say now ! Never forgot that comment !

waterlego · 16/08/2022 11:08

Wow @Tiggy321, so tactful! Hope she’s had some ‘bedside manner’ training since then (or retired).

littlemousebigcheese · 16/08/2022 11:22

My husband is so grateful for a chance to see mine that he doesn't care what it looks like

completelyunderwhelmed · 16/08/2022 11:31

'gaping axe wound' was a description that once made me chuckle...

I wonder if younger men have different attitudes towards vags (presuming this thread is a slightly older, multiple children demographic) given more exposure to porn etc.

HRTQueen · 16/08/2022 11:36

SucculentSunshine · 15/08/2022 22:40

Mine is nice and neat until I squat. Then It looks like predator.

😆 fantastic description

I do love MN at times

Haggisfish3 · 16/08/2022 11:41

I’ll start a piles thread. The horror…

Zilla1 · 16/08/2022 12:02

Could it be wrinkly from over-exposure to the sun? Perhaps a high SPF pair of pants or sunscreen the next time you take her outside?

Tallisker · 16/08/2022 13:05

Overexposure to the sun? Are you doing sideways scissor handstands? 🤣

AnuSTart · 16/08/2022 13:29

I've only had c-sections (lots) and my garden is still a reet old mess.
My (then new) DP once said that he avoided fiddling about down there because there was 'too much going on' down there.

I gave him a sharp look and it has not been me zoomed since.

Think of what a gift your vulva is. And your vagina and your clitoris.
A gift to you, your DH and your babies!
Rejoice!

AnuSTart · 16/08/2022 13:30

Mentioned! Not zoomed. I DO NOT ZOOM MY VULVA.

Now breathe.