Val Emanuel, a 33-year-old actress and the founder of Rif Care, a brand specializing in organic menstrual products, recently shocked the internet with her candid description of her postpartum experience. Based in Los Angeles, Emanuel has amassed over 90,000 followers on TikTok, where she shares glimpses of her life as a mother and entrepreneur.
In a viral video posted on TikTok, Emanuel recounted her first encounter with her postpartum vagina, a moment that left her utterly surprised. “No one tells you what it’s going to look like after you give birth, but I’m just telling you right now,” she began, setting the stage for her eye-opening revelation.
Reflecting on her childhood curiosity, Emanuel shared that she first glimpsed her genitalia at the age of eight, describing it humorously as resembling “a cute little quarter-slot machine.” However, nothing could prepare her for the sight she encountered after giving birth to her daughter.
Despite not experiencing any tearing during childbirth, Emanuel expressed pride in her physical condition, expecting her vagina to return to normalcy. However, her expectations were shattered when she confronted the reality. “Newsflash, it looks like ground turkey. It looks like ground turkey, but just for like two weeks. Then it looks like sliced turkey,” she candidly revealed.
Emanuel elaborated on the evolution of her postpartum body, noting that between the period immediately after childbirth and the subsequent 12 weeks of recovery, her anatomy gradually reverted to its pre-pregnancy state. “My slot machine is back. I’m happy to say that. It’s a little different though,” she concluded with a touch of humor.
Prompting her viewers to share their own experiences, Emanuel’s video quickly went viral, garnering 2.4 million views and over 1,700 comments within days of its posting. The response was a mix of shock, amusement, and solidarity from both mothers and non-mothers alike.
Many were stunned by Emanuel’s vivid description, with one commenter exclaiming, “Ground turkey?????? SLICEDDDDD turkey???????” Others sought clarification, asking, “Wha-what do you mean by ground????” Some responded with playful humor, jokingly clutching their pearls in mock distress.
In addition to the reactions, numerous mothers shared their own postpartum journeys, ranging from comparisons to various food items to advice for navigating the recovery process. One mother advised, “Pro tip: DON’T LOOK for a while, like eight weeks,” emphasizing the importance of giving oneself time to heal.
Despite the initial shock, there was reassurance in the comments, with many mothers sharing stories of their bodies eventually returning to normalcy and even feeling tighter than before. One commenter proudly declared, “Honestly, I did rip badly and my doctor stitched me right back up and she looks even more snatched [than] before.”
Emanuel’s candid portrayal of her postpartum experience sparked a wave of discussion and solidarity among women, highlighting the importance of openness and support in navigating the physical changes that accompany childbirth.
As Emanuel continues to document her journey as a mother and entrepreneur on TikTok, her raw honesty serves as a beacon of empowerment and reassurance for women everywhere, reminding them that they are not alone in their postpartum experiences.