|
Post by cookinmama555 on Mar 27, 2013 11:40:02 GMT -5
Hello! Have any of you ladies experienced a uterine prolapse, rectocele, cystocele, or other pelvic floor weakness? I am looking for support/hope/advice...
I had a uterine prolapse and rectocele after my second son. I was in my early 20s, and in good shape. Both my deliveries were 6 hours each, and I had a 10lb 4oz, and then 10lb 3 oz.
I used Habit DVD which I reccommend for reabilitation, and praise God that my issues have mostly resolved.
Upon discovering the prolapse I was shocked and pretty devastated . I would really love to have a larger family. I have been such a believer in that God made women's bodies and they will not be "ruined" by pregnancy/birth. But, I have been told that C sec may now be advisable, that reconstructive surgery is in my near future, and that I may have to go on bed rest if the pregnancy proves too heavy for my uterus. I have also been told that the uterus could completely come out after next delivery, and one midwife reccommended a "forced tear" to then be sewn up reconstructing the back vaginal wall. So I am having some fears about getting pregnant again.
I appreciate having a place to ask about this! Many thanks...
|
|
|
Post by hsgramofthree on Mar 27, 2013 23:30:40 GMT -5
I also have a prolapsed uterus. Mine is hereditary I think and occurred after baby two. I had two more healthy babes after. I know a lady who home births with the same issue and did well, she just needed her pelvis tilted after delivery with application of herbal packs. I have been encouraged by a testimony In above Rubies magazine about a woman being healed of prolapse after delivery.God just plainhealed her and performed a miracle. I can sympathize with what you are going through.I personally I am cautious to never become constipated because it aggravates the prolapse. I am willing to discuss this further with you anytime.
|
|
|
Post by christineg on Mar 28, 2013 15:56:00 GMT -5
I have a stage three prolapse (stage 4 is falling out completely) and have been under the care of a Physiotherapist for it for a couple of months, now since my youngest was about 8 weeks old. I would highly recommend finding a PT who would be able to help you. It is really worth doing as much exercise work as you can. Surgery may be necessary one day, but without the strong muscles to support the surgical work, it will be much less effective. I wish so very much I'd taken care of it after baby 6 when I first noticed it instead of telling myself, "Well, I'm just going to have more babies. I'll look after it later." I would highly recommend the dvd, Down There for Women which you can find here: www.alignedandwell.com/shop/down-there-for-women/ It takes you through some excellent exercises you can do on your own to optimize healing. There is absolutely nothing embarrassing about it and it is kept completely PG, so no worries about watching it in front of children. I would also recommend finding out if you have a diastasis since your core is very much linked with your pelvic floor and core strength will be necessary to give the best support to your pelvic floor. You can find out how to check for diastasis here: fit2b.us/how-to-check-for-diastasis-hd/ I absolutely love this exercise site, by the way. I think it is bar-none the best for healing from diastasis and for optimizing pelvic floor health. I would suggest as well, thinking about getting a Squatty Potty: www.squattypotty.com/ This will not only put you in the best position for using the toilet as well as help to prevent constipation, but will help stretch out your pelvic floor in a healthy way. Finally, I wanted to let you know that I have found my prolapse is much, much worse when I front carry my baby (4mo) in a wrap. The sling and back carrying both seem to be okay, but front-wrapping causes everything to bulge from the pressure it puts on my abdomen. This breaks my heart as I am a die-hard babywearer and love to front carry. I also have big babies (especially lately) and I think that is not particularly helpful to prolapses. However, I think unfortunately, the bigger problem is our general lack of understanding of pelvic health, lack of movement and proper alignment and also the lack of importance the medical community in North America seems to put on rehab. The general attitude seems to be, "Just live with it and have surgery later."
|
|
|
Post by cookinmama555 on Mar 28, 2013 16:52:24 GMT -5
Thank you both. It is extremely encouraging to know that you had babies after the prolapse diagnosis... this makes me a little less afraid to get pregnant again!
I thank you for all the info and will be exploring these sites...
Did either of you find that the prolapse worsened after each birth, or did it remain the same?
I agree it is so sad that there is such a lack of knowledge, even in our medical community about this issue. I really appreciated the potion of THM which discusses when to get back to postpartum exercise. I think we all attempt too much too soon and risk damage.
|
|
|
Post by christineg on Mar 28, 2013 18:11:02 GMT -5
It worsened for me. I don't think I really understood very much about it. I thought I could just fix it with exercise later on. However, now I understand that once a prolapse happens, it can be improved, but not cured with exercise. Muscles can strengthen, but the ligaments that hold the uterus in place, once they are stretched out, are like overstretched elastics and they can't go back. This is why I think it is so important to address the cause (lack of core strength, lack of frequent movement of the body and poor alignment) asap so it does not worsen. I only wish I'd understood this before.
|
|
|
Post by hsgramofthree on Mar 29, 2013 7:19:11 GMT -5
Mine stayed about the same, my cervix is at the opening or sometimes out a smidge. In my third pregnancy I wore a special underwear that had a support thing in it and hooked to some straps that went over my shoulders to relieve some of the pressure and that may have helped me too. I also will be looking up the info given , thanks!
|
|
|
Post by hsgramofthree on Mar 29, 2013 7:46:52 GMT -5
Also, raspberry leaf tea is said to strengthen pelvic floor and I drink that but should be more faithful.
|
|
|
Post by visserrific on Apr 9, 2013 3:15:24 GMT -5
I don't know that I have prolapse, but since the birth of my last baby 10 months ago things haven't been sitting normally down there. My 6 week follow-up didn't happen and I didn't really notice until I started cycling again. I can no longer use tampons because they just won't stay in. Is prolapse a possible cause or is that something any of you noticed?
|
|
|
Post by christineg on Apr 9, 2013 5:50:37 GMT -5
That definitely sounds like a prolapse -- almost undoubtedly. I'd really suggest getting to a physiotherapist who is skilled in dealing with prolapses, if at all possible. <3
|
|
|
Post by cookinmama555 on Apr 9, 2013 7:34:02 GMT -5
Yes, I would agree with Christineg. You may have a prolapse. A physical therapist who specializes in women's reabilitation should be able to diagnose you if there is an issue, and help you. Also, fit2be is a site Christineg reccommended above that I have been doing and it is really good for healing your core which is connected to your pelvic floor. (think of your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles like a basket holding everything in place) I have noticed a difference in just a couple weeks.
|
|
|
Post by cookinmama555 on Apr 9, 2013 7:37:19 GMT -5
And, I am sorry you are having the trouble of feeling like everything isn't sitting right. I am finding that it is more hopeful than at least I had originally thought to get things back in shape. But, it does take some work and gaining understanding.
|
|
|
Post by visserrific on Apr 9, 2013 10:14:31 GMT -5
Thanks Ladies. It's so helpful to have an idea what might be going on! I had started doing kegels again, but looked more up on prolapse last night and it seems to fit. I'm in a smaller town, so I'm not sure if we have a physiotherapist or not, but I'm heading over to check out the fit2be site. Again, thanks!
|
|
|
Post by christineg on Apr 9, 2013 10:39:27 GMT -5
If you want to join fit2b, you can use my coupon code 'realhome' for $10 your first three months (normally $9.99/mo). I always feel funny giving it out, but I used to give out other peoples codes, so I thought I should just request my own. <3
|
|