Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Support Thread - Page 65

[aprongirl]

Pwit, sorry you were feeling down It's easy to have happen with POP! But it is also easy to have happen without it as life always does have ups and downs. If it's not one thing it's another it seems. This one is extra hard though! Bah!

One thing I can say though is that your body is NOT broken! I've felt that too but as I look at the life I created it helps me realize that my body is amazing! Even if things are definitely different now than they were pre-baby.

Thinking about this makes me feel positive: We wanted to have our baby so badly and it took us a little longer to get pregnant then we expected and then we had a miscarriage and now we have our beautiful boy that brings me so much joy. I can say 100% that if I had known prior to having children what it would do to my body I still would have said "sign me up!" TTC and having loss and waiting and waiting was heartbreaking and horrible and makes me realize just how blessed I am. (I know we all are and love our babes this just helps me to think about)

Still, it is hard. I thought the worst I would have to deal with after baby would be stretch marks! Knowing there are other women out there like me makes me feel more normal and like things will be ok.

I have found the hab-it blog (and dvd) really helpfulhttp://hab-it.com/blog/ Probably already mentioned on this thread but created by a woman who is a physical therapist who had POP following the birth of her first child. She now has three children and has been able to manage her POP very successfully.

also the forums on prolapsehealth.com are incredible (as is this one!) http://prolapsehealth.com/forums/

[belltree]

fruitfullmoma suggested to ask my questions here. So, I am posting, without reading all 63 pages!


Let me start off by saying I had a wonderful birth. VERY fast and some 2nd degree tearing.

I still have pelvic problems and was wondering how much of this is normal?

My pelvic floor is still not as strong as it used to (I feel a lot of tiredness, especially after carrying my now almost 1year old a lot).

DTD is still mostly painful - there is spot that just hurts, when being touched/hit. Not always, but most oft the time.

Also, things just look different "down there". Sorry, for being graphical. The opening of my urethra is shifted and lower and the opening is bigger - is that normal?

I have been seeing my midwife about this, but she dismissed it, saying those issues would most likely exist until I stop nursing.

[pwit]

belltree I don't know what is "normal" after birth but I knew I had prolapse because I saw two bulges at the opening of my vagina. I discovered these about 6 weeks postpartum and they have not gone away. I have a little bit of incontinence issues from this (can't go running while carrying something, feel like I can't completely empty my bladder often). I have some constipation issues from this. This actually has had only a small impact on our sex life. I think our sex life is still somewhat impacted from the hormones of breastfeeding and then some psychologically because with bulges where they shouldn't be I'm just more cautious afraid something is going to get more damaged.

[Contrariety]

Originally Posted by belltree

fruitfullmoma suggested to ask my questions here. So, I am posting, without reading all 63 pages!


Let me start off by saying I had a wonderful birth. VERY fast and some 2nd degree tearing.

I still have pelvic problems and was wondering how much of this is normal?

My pelvic floor is still not as strong as it used to (I feel a lot of tiredness, especially after carrying my now almost 1year old a lot).

DTD is still mostly painful - there is spot that just hurts, when being touched/hit. Not always, but most oft the time.

Also, things just look different "down there". Sorry, for being graphical. The opening of my urethra is shifted and lower and the opening is bigger - is that normal?

I have been seeing my midwife about this, but she dismissed it, saying those issues would most likely exist until I stop nursing.

I, too, am a few days shy of being a year out from DD's wonderful birth. It was pretty fast, and she has a gigantic head! Where I am now is a ton better than where I was 6 weeks out, but still no where near where I want to be. I for sure have urethrocele, and rectocele, possibly a slight cystocele. Everything I have read says it should get better when we are done nursing, and perhaps with some physical therapy. I waiting to do PT until I am done nursing, to ensure optimal results. DTD is still tricky. It's not very enjoyable, as I just don't get the same sensations I did before. Also, I had pubic symphisis diastasis and if DH is on top, I do feel a twinge there which I am hoping will go away soon... if not I'll have to see a chiro, too

I bounced back down there remarkably well with my first birth, which included 3 hrs of pushing, but my second birth... not so much. I am just trying not to get too ahead of myself and realize that it's going to take time. Sometimes it's hard... I can't lift my 4 yr old ever, at all, and haven't for the past year without feeling heaviness down there. It's especially hard that DTD is so lame, as I really miss that connection with DH. But day, by day is how I'm taking it.

I am thinking of getting a kegelmaster to work with until I can get to PT. We'll be nursing for quite some time still, so I think that would be good in the meantime.

[wombatclay]

I was told that once your cycles return, your hormone levels are more or less at their "normal" levels. So if you're breastfeeding but have regular cycles you may want to ask about whether you need to wait. And if quality of life is getting hit hard but you don't want to wean, there are estrogen creams that can be applied (topical, suppository) that can help with tissue elasticity without causing too much impact on established breastfeeding.

It might be hard to find a care provider that is up on both lactation and POP, but perhaps you could find two providers at the same hospital so they could consult?

[Contrariety]

Originally Posted by wombatclay

I was told that once your cycles return, your hormone levels are more or less at their "normal" levels. So if you're breastfeeding but have regular cycles you may want to ask about whether you need to wait. And if quality of life is getting hit hard but you don't want to wean, there are estrogen creams that can be applied (topical, suppository) that can help with tissue elasticity without causing too much impact on established breastfeeding.

It might be hard to find a care provider that is up on both lactation and POP, but perhaps you could find two providers at the same hospital so they could consult?

You know, my cycles have been back for quite some time now, even though DD has nursed exclusively until just recently. I have to say that while I can tell changes during my cycle with my CF, i still feel a little "dry" down there, so I think my hormones aren't entirely back to "normal" just yet. I nursed my first until 20 mos and it seems like afterward, I did notice it got better... or at least the sex did! :P

By far the hardest thing is that sex is lame. It is. That's a bio feedback mechanism that just isn't working for me. It doesn't feel like it used to, so I don't have much drive (on top of the normal I co-sleeping, breastfeeding, touched-out ness that is normal when you have a 1 yr old). I've been thinking about trying one of those stimulating creams or something just to make it a little more... interesting so that I want to more often, because I know that is good exercise that my muscles need!

[JamieFay]

Hello Ladies! I'm suspecting a POP and am seeking a bit of info/advice.
I gave birth to my fourth child in early August and I've never had this issue after my other children. It was a fast (4 hour start to finish) labor. It was also my first completely natural homebirth. I pushed for an hour and my 9lb daughter was delivered posterior. I had only minor tearing that required no stitches. I've felt fine aside for a strange "raw" feeling when I wipe...almost like I'm wiping something that is normally inside of me. I also felt a bit saggy down there. I haven't had any incontinence or trouble urinating and so I just assumed I needed more time to heal completely. Sex is not painful although I must say that it is just...blah.
Tonight I grabbed my hand mirror and noticed that it does look like there's a bulge. I can feel my cervix fairly high up, so it's not that. When I apply gentle pressure to it, it seems to be my anterior vaginal wall bulging forward-just to the opening. With gentle pressure it goes back into place. Does this sound like a POP, even with the absence of other syptoms?

[deymm]

Jumping in the fray here....

When I was pregnant, my MW dx a slight cystocele for me. She didn't check me at my 6 week post partum visit at my request, but I know it was worse then (even though I ended up with a c-section).

It's now a year after ds2's birth and I am finally willing and ready to talk to someone and get some tx, but I don't know where to go. I am no longer seeing that MW. I am done having bio kids, so I don't really need an OB/GYN as my PCP. Any suggestions?

I have checked out Whole Woman and Kegel Queen and really don't have the funds to invest in either right now, but might have to head over to the library and see about getting the Whole Woman book that way. I know there is also a local clinic that treats these types of issues, but I highly doubt they are in-network on my health insurance.

It's just so hard to talk about, you know? Oh yeah, and I also have some "leftover" 'roids. Such fun....

And from a financial standpoint, I'd love to get both issues resolved in this calendar year because we have met our OOP max for the year thanks to DS1 and his broken arm, so I would pay nothing for anything done by an in-network provider.

[Red Cape]

I wish I had found this thread 10 years ago!, well make that 11 because then I would have saved my placenta instead of feeding it to the dolphins. My acupuncturist did mention that back then, sure wish I would have known it could really help with POP. Oh well, better late than never I suppose. Maybe I can get some from a friend? Is that safe? I mean, it would be like eating meat right?

I have had incontinence when I run and sometimes when I sneeze ever since the birth of my son 10+ years ago. I had an extremely long labor, 4 days with 2.5 solid days of painful quick contractions. Luckily I could still eat, drink, pee, poo etc., so all went well and I had my son at home naturally. Whew! I was dilating 1 centimetre every 9 hours! Crazy to think back on that time. After birth, needless to say, I couldn't walk upright for 4 days, and after a week I could stand for about a half an hour then had to sit. It felt like my insides would fall out when I stood up. I also had quite a large tear inside, but healed fine with stitches, I think.

Anyway, Over the last few months I have noticed a slight protrusion developing from my rectum. I am 41 and think a little natural aging might be in effect, although I know I am still young enough to start some txs.

I was told to do kegels, but need a little help. I just can't seem to keep them going. I forget to do them. I notice that it helps when I have something to squeeze against so that I can actually feel that muscle, but I'm really not sure what I'm supposed to be doing. I would love to get the video mentioned by "max" at the beginning, but am a little short on funds at the moment, and was wondering if someone could outline a routine that I could start for now, and how they manage to keep at it. That would be very helpful.

This is such a helpful thread and I look forward to reading up on it over the next few days, weeks.

Max, you posted a link way back to the mummytummy cheat sheet, and it seems to be unavailable on my server so it said. Would you mind reposting that so I can try again?

Thanks everyone for all the great info!!!

[Red Cape]

Wow Aprongirl, that Hab-it blog is AMAZING! I found a great detailed description of how to do kegels and work the back sides of our bodies here.
http://hab-it.com/blog/?p=217

Ask and you shall receive!

[wombatclay]

For links to the BAKS Basics/Mummy Tummy page and for low cost/no-cost POP ideas check out post number 1277 (dear lords we have a long thread! ).

[Hawkwind]

I just want to check in, again.
When I first prolapsed, I was eight weeks out. It wasn't that I just gradually noticed it then. I had a jarring and roughly performed pelvic exam at eight weeks p.p., went home feeling awful cramps and I felt a "fullness" that just wouldn't go away.
My MW gave me a clean bill of health after the exam, but, because of the pain, I went to my back up doctor who diagnosed a uterine prolapse. I, then, visited a Uro Gyno who said that there was a cystocele. She referred me to a great physical therapist.
My prolapse was mild, but it felt so wierd. The awkwardness was inescapable. I cried a lot. I woke up crying in the night. Lying down provided no relief, and I just didn't feel like I was in my own body. Every time I lifted something wrong, I felt like one of those toys whose eyes pop out when it is squeezed. I didn't lift my two year old or my three year old, because I felt so saggy inside when I did.
So,that's my background.
It's been a year. I am still BFing, and I still don't have my period. I feel great, though. There are no signs of prolapse. My three year old is almost five, and I pick him up without feeling things shift. I do my exercises, and I have gotten really good at clenching as I lift. I am taking these great postnatal vitamins,and paying more attention to my health in general.
I wish everyone the best. I am so glad for this forum. It got me through some of the toughest spots in my whole life!

[deymm]

Originally Posted by Hawkwind

I just want to check in, again.
When I first prolapsed, I was eight weeks out. It wasn't that I just gradually noticed it then. I had a jarring and roughly performed pelvic exam at eight weeks p.p., went home feeling awful cramps and I felt a "fullness" that just wouldn't go away.
My MW gave me a clean bill of health after the exam, but, because of the pain, I went to my back up doctor who diagnosed a uterine prolapse. I, then, visited a Uro Gyno who said that there was a cystocele. She referred me to a great physical therapist.
My prolapse was mild, but it felt so wierd. The awkwardness was inescapable. I cried a lot. I woke up crying in the night. Lying down provided no relief, and I just didn't feel like I was in my own body. Every time I lifted something wrong, I felt like one of those toys whose eyes pop out when it is squeezed. I didn't lift my two year old or my three year old, because I felt so saggy inside when I did.
So,that's my background.
It's been a year. I am still BFing, and I still don't have my period. I feel great, though. There are no signs of prolapse. My three year old is almost five, and I pick him up without feeling things shift. I do my exercises, and I have gotten really good at clenching as I lift. I am taking these great postnatal vitamins,and paying more attention to my health in general.
I wish everyone the best. I am so glad for this forum. It got me through some of the toughest spots in my whole life!

Thank you for sharing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kellyh_01]

Has anyone tried a pessary? My midwife has suggested it for me a couple times now. I'd love to hear some experiences. Thanks.

[wombatclay]

Yay Hawkwind! That's great news!

Pessary- I know a few mamas on the thread have mentioned being happy with their pessary. Maybe search the thread for the word?

[kltroy]

I know many of us aren't too keen on the idea of surgery for POP, but I thought this was pretty interesting:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/26/he...tml?ref=health

Hang in there, ladies! (no pun intended!!) I still think getting yourself back to doing regular gentle exercise is the key for dealing with POP long term. Mine has improved so much since I started running regularly (carefully at first, and interspersed with elliptical)!

[cassiesmom]

new

Hi Ladies!

I'm 39 years old and I had my fourth child, a beautiful baby girl, 8 and a half months ago. Labour and delivery took place in 2 and a half hours. I only pushed for about 10 minutes. Her heartrate started dropping with each push and the delivery team made it very clear that she needed to be born quickly. I clenched my teeth and gave it everything I had and kept pushing way past the contraction. One huge push. Thankfully she was so low to begin with that it didn't take long to finish the job! My teeth hurt for a week! Everything seemed fine afterwards. No pain. I've never torn or had any problems giving birth.

About a month ago, because of a painful sexual experience with my husband, I found my prolapses. The sex was painful and it felt like my cervix was positioned horizontally across my vagina... which it was, about two thirds of the way down the anterior wall. Upon checking, I found a bulge that I had to push past to find my cervix.

The next day, I checked it out in the mirror and found there was nothing but bulges where the entrance to my vagina used to be. I freaked, looked it up on the internet to figure out what was happening to me and what I could do about it. I believe I have a cystocele, rectocele and my uterus is low. For a couple of weeks, I was checking obsessively to make sure it wasn't getting worse. Often, my cervix was about an inch from the opening.

I had a lot of pain for about a week from my cervix being "manhandled" that way, especially in my back. Then I found that my back had spasmed and was clenched across my sacrum. My hips started giving me pain and seemed to be going out of joint. It was awful.

I may have been clenched that way for a really long time and not realized it. I had a traumatic miscarriage a year before conceiving Cassie. 7 weeks into the pregnancy with her, I began to bleed and found the placenta had become detached in one corner resulting in a "small" hematoma. The doctor told me no sex, no heavy lifting and basically take it easy until the 20 week ultrasound. I think I started clenching my lower back and butt muscles then as some crazy subconscious attempt to hold onto the pregnancy. I was terrified of miscarrying again.

One of the things I found on the internet is that the butt-tucked-under-pelvis-forward posture contributes to POP. When I tried to change my posture, I couldn't untuck. It hurt. And my back freaked. I've really had to work on that. It has taken constant effort to allow my butt muscles to relax. Maybe one day I'll have a bootie!!

Thankfully, in the last month I have found so many helpful sites on the internet, including this one! I am so thankful that you women are talking about it and finding answers. If it wasn't for you, I don't know what I would have done.

I've read most of the forum entries on www.wholewoman.com, adopted the posture as far as my body will let me and tried some of the exercises - particularly nauli. I could feel everything lift but it always dropped right back down. No change for weeks and some days it actually felt a lot worse. For a while my urethra felt pinched and it poked out like someone had sewn a button on me. I felt like I had to pee constantly.

Of course, I also started kegeling a lot. At first I couldn't feel it at all, especially not in the front wall of my vagina where most of the damage seems to be. But the muscles got tight quickly. It didn't change the prolapse at all (of course, it's only been a month since I found them) and made the back pain worse.

Then I found www.katysays.com. Her explanation of how the pelvic floor works in her post "1,2,3,4 We like our Pelvic Floor" made all the difference for me. She recommends squats with the butt up to stretch out the pelvic floor muscles and kegels done moderately so as not to overtighten the muscles. (I could literally feel my pelvic floor muscles pulling on my tailbone when I did kegels.) Over the last week, I've been focusing on cat-stretching with my butt up and then pushing back into an almost child's pose. This also seems to get my hips to click into place. I've had a cold this past week and, at the same time, my cervix has pulled up (often about 2 inches from the opening) and is no longer horizontal and the bulges have receded to inside my vagina. Though the entrance now feels "open", which isn't particularly comfortable either but I'll take that over the bulges!

Looking back... when my husband and I resumed our sex life and I asked him how loose it was and he said, "It actually feels tighter"... I should have looked to see what's up (or in this case - down ). In the few weeks before I found it, I also felt like my underwear was bunching all the time.

I've never paid attention to the state of things down there after any of my other births. But I did become very familiar with where things were while trying to conceive this time. I guess I should expect some sagging but this is a bit extreme! From reading this thread, I should probably expect to have times when it gets worse too. At least I can be prepared. I really don't want surgery.

Oh... I've seen my doctor, who examined me lying down and didn't find anything (even though I told him that it's when I'm sitting or standing that it's noticeable) but he did refer me to a gynocologist. Our medical system in Canada is really slow so it's possible by the time I get an appointment, I might not want to go!

Well, I think I just wrote a novel!

[scottishmommy]

Cassiesmom, have you heard of levitor ani syndrome?

[GiantGi]

Hi! I tried to read all the posts in the thread... really I did but wow there are alot!!
.

Edited by GiantGi - 9/4/11 at 8:16am

[cassiesmom]

Originally Posted by scottishmommy

Cassiesmom, have you heard of levitor ani syndrome?

No, I haven't. What is it?