Tilted Uterus?

[Calleiah]

Im 9 weeks 4 days today. I know in July when I had my IUD removed that they commented on how tilted my uterus was. I know that it's retroverted (towards my back). Obviously it caused no conception problems. My question is this. Last time (with my second child) I could feel the edge of my uterus rising up above my pubic bone at 7 weeks. This time, I cant feel it at all. Im also not having the insane bladder urges. Morning sickness is in full swing so Im not too worried about the health of the pregnancy. Have any of you noticed a difference in feeling the uterus with a tilted uterus? I just have a pressing curiosity if it's normal to not feel the uterus with the retroversion.
Im planning a semi-UC right now. I will have a 'birth attendant' but she's not a licensed midwife. I figure you ladies are very savvy when it comes to familiarity with this kind of thing, and generally more observant.

Thanks!

[chase_mommy]

I have a very tilted uterus too. So much so, with previous births in the hospital during checking, I had to stuff pillows under my butt to get my pelvis higher than the rest of me. On nurse actually lowered the head of the bed, then they dig. Yet, another reason for me to UC... sorry rant over. I never though much about it but I couldn't feel my uterus until 10 weeks this time and then it was barley there. With my previous pregnancies I felt it much sooner. Maybe with multiple births it kind of falls back more and take a bit more time to pop? Anyway, when it finally decided to pop over it did in a big way. I'm at 15 weeks now and its right at my navel. I'm going to vote that this is normal with a tilted uterus.

[cathicog]

Generally, the uterus doesn't rise out of the pelvis til 12 weeks, and it grows and by 16-20 is up by the belly button. With a retroverted uterus, sometimes it can't be felt as easily(had a doula client whose doctor never diagnosed it- I discovered it at term while she was in early labor at my house and showed her how to "pooch her belly out", that's when she began to feel contractions) If you can spend about 15 min a day 2x a day on hands and knees after 12 weeks or so, the weight of the uterus should pull it forward, so you don't have to worry about it getting up under your ribs(not good for the digestion). Happy UCing!

[chase_mommy]

Originally Posted by cathicog

If you can spend about 15 min a day 2x a day on hands and knees after 12 weeks or so, the weight of the uterus should pull it forward, so you don't have to worry about it getting up under your ribs(not good for the digestion). Happy UCing!

I will definitely be doing this! I have had the worse digestion with my previous pregnancies and I have been dreading its return ever since I found out I was pregnant again. I had no idea that a tilted uterus could contribute to that. Thank you.

[erin_brycesmom]

I would do hands and knees earlier than 12 weeks but I'm really not sure it makes any difference whatsoever...or possibly makes it worse. But if you are going to do it, waiting until 12 weeks might be too late. Mine became trapped before 12 weeks...twice. I lost one baby because of this and had to have surgery to save the next baby. However, I do think it's normal not to feel it at this point. It usually rises up around 10-12 weeks although every woman is different. The tell tale sign that it hasn't risen up when it should have is urinary retention which is hard to miss.

[cathicog]

erin_bryce's mom:, could you PM me, I am curious. I am sorry you lost your baby...as far as I can tell, the baby's/uterine weight has to be heavy enough to pull it forward. 12 weeks is still pretty early, I think. The client I had went on to have 3 more births (one hb) uneventfully...so I had a couple questions I was going to ask...if it's ok... Thanks!

[erin_brycesmom]

Sending you a PM now...

[erin_brycesmom]

Originally Posted by cathicog

erin_bryce's mom:, could you PM me, I am curious. I am sorry you lost your baby...as far as I can tell, the baby's/uterine weight has to be heavy enough to pull it forward. 12 weeks is still pretty early, I think. The client I had went on to have 3 more births (one hb) uneventfully...so I had a couple questions I was going to ask...if it's ok... Thanks!

and just to comment...I do see what you are saying that's why I wonder if the chest exercises really make a difference. If the uterus doesn't stay up, then the exercises just cause it to flop back and forth and I'm not sure that this would be helpful. Could that make things even worse? I wondered if it did for me. I think it's got to get past the sacrum and be able to sit above the sacrum. It really depends on the woman's unique pelvic architecture and for me, 12 weeks was too late. Numerous docs told me that 12 weeks was too early to be concerned and that's why I had to take the power into my own hands. Well...with the help of some others who had been through it including an OB who had experienced the same thing just prior to 12 weeks who I had on the phone with me in the ER, lol. But I did go on to homebirth because as soon as it's resolved it doesn't cause any other issues for the pregnancy or birth .

[Calleiah]

Wanted to post back that at 10 wks, 2 days it finally shifted forward and I can feel it clearly! It feels a lot higher than it should for 10 weeks too! Seems to be almost haflway to my belly button which doesnt seem right. Any thoughts on that?

[cathicog]

Yay! I am thinking once it gets used to being in that direction, it might settle farther into the pelvis. It may just stay where it is til 16 weeks or so, when it would be at the belly button! Maybe the broad ligaments are holding it up more.. they'll stretch, as will the round ones, and I bet you'll feel it...

[Calleiah]

Ahh, so thats what those nagging, slightly pulling sensations were earlier tonight! Most of the discomfort I've had till now were lower, round ligament pain.