New Baby, New Body

Worried that you’re the only new mum who doesn’t recognise her own body? M&B readers share their concerns—and how to fix them

The rigours of pregnancy and labour can really take their toll on your body and snapping back into your pre-pregnancy jeans is only half the battle. While outwardly you might appear to be back to normal, it’s easy to worry that underneath your clothes you’ll never be the same again.

Most of us are prepared for the odd stretch mark, but what about the other things that you’re too embarrassed to mention? We’ve spoken to mums like you—and a midwife who’s seen it all before—to prove that you’re not the only new mum who’s worried about the unmentionables.

THE PROBLEM

BADLY HEALED TEAR

“Everyone talks about six weeks as the magic date when you should be fully healed after giving birth, but not only was I still bleeding, I was still sore down below and things just didn’t feel right. Being a first-time mum, I didn’t know whether or not to make a fuss. I persuaded my doc to have a look, and he told me that I just needed time to heal. But two months later, I was still incredibly sore and sex was impossible. I finally went to see a private gynaecologist who actually gasped while examining me. Apparently one of my labia, which had torn during labour, hadn’t healed properly and had fused over to the other side. I had surgery the following day, under general anaesthetic, and almost immediately afterwards I was completely pain-free and back to normal.” Charulata Gogoi, 30, mum to Niki, three

FIX IT!