Prolapse Pain

[slsurface]

I am 20 weeks pregnant. I've already had a very difficult pregnancy (this is my second)...I had a sub-chorionic hemorrhage that finally resolved itself by 14 weeks. However, during one of my trips to the ER, I was catheterized and my bladder was filled for an ultrasound. Ever since the procedure, I have been experiencing pelvic floor pain and some mild incontinence. When I talked to my OB about it, he was very dismissive ...needless to say, I am looking for another physician right now .

The pain and discomfort has steadily gotten worse. I've tried Kegels, but it only seems to make the muscles feel more fatigued. It is to the point where I can barely stand and walking is agony, because of the pressure and pain. To make matters worse, I teach at a university and have to spend several hours a day on my feet lecturing. In addition, my 3 yo DS has SPD and requires me to give him OT 4 times a day...and this is physically demanding for me. My vagina is bulging out (along the front wall) and the pressure against my pelvic floor is intense. I also think that I may have a UTI, because it burns when I pee - again the OB and his nurses dismissed this at my last visit. I feel like this needs immediate medical attention but I don't have a new OB yet.

I am pretty desperate for suggestions and for some glimmer of hope that this situation can be improved.

[sostinkinhappy]

Get thee to a urogynecologist. Like yesterday. You can find one here: http://www.mypelvichealth.org/

Having prolapse issues myself, I am so sorry that you are having to deal with this right now. And you are right - Kegels don't fix this. You can Kegel till the cows come home and it still won't get better - when the doc finally explained to me that Kegels don't fix tears or damage to the fascia, the guilt over not doing them "right" completely disappeared.

Most OB/Gyns don't have the necessary training to deal with prolapse issues in a satisfactory way and most urologists don't have a deep enough understanding of female anatomy to provide long-term relief. A urogynecologist is not only a board certified gynecologist, but is usually certified in urology as well (or the other way around). They have undergone tremendous amounts of additional training and are going to be the ones who can help you the best. Even if you don't have one in your town, they are worth the drive of a couple of hours to get to. The one I currently work with is an hour and 45 minutes north of here and I willingly drive the distance because of how much it has helped.

Good luck mama - I hope there is a urogynecologist within a reasonable driving distance for you.

[sostinkinhappy]

Originally Posted by slsurface

I am pretty desperate for suggestions and for some glimmer of hope that this situation can be improved.

Sorry - I didn't get to the glimmer of hope that you are looking for!

Yes, this can be treated though I am not sure how much during a pregnancy. I think that a urogynecologist can provide some relief right now though so don't wait to find one. Most of them work with a physical therapist who is specifically trained to deal with pelvic floor disorders and she will most likely be the one you work with the most during your pregnancy. PT for this sort of thing isn't the prettiest or most pleasant, but after a couple of weeks, I could not believe how much my life had improved.

There is hope mama - just be your own best advocate with the doctors. I think you are doing that by seeking more help when your current providers poo-pooed what you are experiencing. It actually took me about 5 years to finally find an ObGyn who "got it" and recommended that I see a urogynecologist. I am so grateful to that doc that if I were to ever have another son, I have seriously thought about naming him after that ObGyn who finally listened to me!

Also, I know I will most likely get flamed for saying this, but I would seriously contemplate having a c/section if you are already having prolapse issues that are this involved. It was the absolute LAST thing I wanted to hear from my doctors because I am so a huge advocate for home birth/midwives/natural birthing. But after I read the research myself, I very begrudgingly came to the conclusion that for my long-term heath & ability to care for my family in the ensuing years, the benefits of a planned c/section outweighed the risks.

Yes, I still get angry about having to have a c/section. Yes, I still mourn over the loss of my ideal birthing situation. Yes, I still get frustrated with the "WHY ME!!!???" of it all, but I also understand it is what it is. In order to come out the other side of this pregnancy with both a health baby AND a healthy mama, this is what needs to happen.

At any rate, that's my 2 cents worth. Or 50 cents. Many hugs to you as you navigate through all of this!

[mama kk]

I wish I had more to offer, it sounds like a physically and emotionally difficult time. I am glad you are looking for a new care provider.

[slsurface]

Thank you for the kind responses. I called my OB's office today and talked to the RN for a while. I let her know how serious my discomfort was. She agreed that it sounded bad and was able to get me in with one of the other OBs in the practice tomorrow.

I also talked to a friend who has gone through this...she suggested something called a Pessary to help get me through the next couple of months. Here's hoping that I will get some answers tomorrow.

[slsurface]

Originally Posted by sostinkinhappy

Also, I know I will most likely get flamed for saying this, but I would seriously contemplate having a c/section if you are already having prolapse issues that are this involved.

Oh, you have no idea how much I didn't want to hear that news! I have serious allergies to every known pain medication and I am terrified of surgery because of that. I had to have my gallbladder removed last fall and recovering from the surgery was agony because I was not able to manage the pain adequately. I couldn't imagine how terrible it would be to have a newborn and un-managed pain . Let's hope it doesn't come to that...

[sostinkinhappy]

Originally Posted by slsurface

Oh, you have no idea how much I didn't want to hear that news! I have serious allergies to every known pain medication and I am terrified of surgery because of that. I had to have my gallbladder removed last fall and recovering from the surgery was agony because I was not able to manage the pain adequately. I couldn't imagine how terrible it would be to have a newborn and un-managed pain . Let's hope it doesn't come to that...

I am allergic to all morphine based drugs and had a *horrible* recovery from prolapse surgery back in 2006 so I totally understand your fears! On Sunday of this past week I had a complete and total come apart about the c/section (again) - good thing I have such a patient husband. I really hope that you don't have to go that route!

Like I said though, be sure to talk with a urogyn as well as a regular ObGyn. Ob's tend to think 6-weeks out from birth, urogyns tend to look at the long term picture (1 year, 5 years, 10 years down the road). And yes, a pessary will help in the short term - I have some good info about long term remedies that I will pull together after I get some errands run this morning for you.

For now though, just lay around as much as possible!