Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Support Thread - Page 8

[wombatclay]

wombatclay, what has your experience been with bellydancing? i've been afraid to go back, but i would love to.

I've been doing really gentle/easy moves... I'm only 2.5months out from my 4th degree tear and things are still pretty sore/painful/uncomfortable in the pelvic region even without the prolapse issue. So no shimmies (too sore for hips, too breastfeeding busty for shoulders), no hip drops, no really active sequences. But hip/chest circles and crescents, hip circles, belly rolls, etc have been okay. And they seem to help.

It's nice since I know I'm increasing blood flow and getting gentle stretching which should spead healing of the tear which will help with the prolapse as well. And the posture/dance moves are good for prolapse support as well.

Oh...does anyone have the book "Bounce Back after the baby"? It's a LLL approved exercise book with a whole chapter on prolapse/incontenance and exercises/techniques for non-surgical support for these conditions. Even pictures for "correct toilet postures" and stuff like that. And another section on diastasis repair. I'd totally forgotten about it but rediscovered the book last week. Anyone else seen it?

[Birth&Bunnies]

Originally Posted by debsdancer

So one question I have is: if "breathing the baby out" is supposed to be good, then why is a rapid birth (during which I was breathing as much as I could, until my body "grunted" the baby out) supposed to be harder on the pelvic organs? Anyone know WHY precipitous deliveries cause trouble?

From what I remember it's may not give enough time for the tissues to stretch enough or slowly enough. They also tend to be very intense and contractions closer together, so possibly more stressful to baby and less rest time to recovery between contractions. However, I remember reading or talking to a person who said that where they were from in Africa most the women had what we consider precipitous birth. That was the norm for them.

[wombatclay]

I agree with the "stretching" idea...

Also, with shoulder dystocia, it's more common in births with a loooong pushing stage OR births with a precipitous pushing stage. My opinion is that a long second stage is suggesting that there could be some sort of fit problem (babe needs more time to move, or isn't coming out exactly "right") but in a really fast second stage maybe the babe isn't totally on target either but they're just pushing their way out anyway. I do know bladder prolapse can be a side effect of SD since the "stuck" shoulder can bang into the bladder and really smoosh things all to heck.

So, maybe in a precipitous labor (even without SD) there is a greater chance of the babe smacking into things in their "hurry" to come out?

I don't know if that makes sense...I need more coffee!

[indignantgirl]

Originally Posted by debsdancer

So one question I have is: if "breathing the baby out" is supposed to be good, then why is a rapid birth (during which I was breathing as much as I could, until my body "grunted" the baby out) supposed to be harder on the pelvic organs? Anyone know WHY precipitous deliveries cause trouble?

Both of my UCs were exactly 3 hours, which is just long enough to not be considered precipitous (precipitous, I believe, is less than 3 hours). I read about it somewhere, and questioned the midwife I use for prenatal care. I had always felt blessed to have fast births because my midwife was of the mind that fast labors are usually the uncomplicated births, as in everything is lined up just right so there's nothing to slow it down. That's a good thing for unassisted births! She kind of "pshaw'ed" the whole idea that precipitous deliveries caused problems, because in her own practice, that's never been the case.

My issues with prolapse were caused by a hospital birth, and I'm no worse for the wear from my subsequent speedy deliveries.

[debsdancer]

I didn't feel like my fast birth caused problems, either... like you said, everything was lined up and no problems to slow things down. I believe my issues began when I got a bad cough about 2 weeks PP. Just a guess, but I had been feeling really good before I got sick. I was just kind of curious about that.
thanks, all!

[fruitful womb]

Originally Posted by Kiddoson

That;s the thing, doing nothing seems to make things worse, once i get out the door and working (horse trainer so physical work) my cervix starts to move back up (a little). From all I have read this is opposite of what should be happening...?

I have been taking sepia, thank you! How often did you take it?

I did not have an answer to the horseback riding question! I'm so glad threadbey did. It makes a lot of sense too...

looking at te whole woman site, horseback riding is the ONLY activity i've ever done that encouraged the posture she recommends (tailbone tilted slightly up). i would think even when you weren't riding, you might tend to stand that way?

I do take the sepia. I got this advise from my "Hearts & Hands, A Midwife's Guide". I buy the strongest potency available at Whole Foods. The book suggest 200C. Can't find 200C at any health store but you can order it online. The 30C works fine for me anyways. I can't explain why it works since the store guide to homeopathic remedies say its for moods, but it seems to work.

[Birth&Bunnies]

Originally Posted by fruitful womb

I did not have an answer to the horseback riding question! I'm so glad threadbey did. It makes a lot of sense too...



I do take the sepia. I got this advise from my "Hearts & Hands, A Midwife's Guide". I buy the strongest potency available at Whole Foods. The book suggest 200C. Can't find 200C at any health store but you can order it online. The 30C works fine for me anyways. I can't explain why it works since the store guide to homeopathic remedies say its for moods, but it seems to work.

Sepia does work for prolapse. What you're reading about moods is only one component of the whole remedy. Each remedy has a profile that involves a whole body description, and multiple symptoms that you should make overall or more so than another.

Uses for sepia

* women's problems related to menstruation
* costipation, particularly as a result of pregnancy or menstruation
* dandruff, particularly when associated with "pigmented patches"
* delayed menstruation, particularly if yeast infections are a problem
* problems associated with menopause, especially menstrual flooding and feeling that the womb will "drop out"
* amenorrhea when accompanied by depression and general aches and pains
* menorrhagia when accompanied by dragging pain in the lower abdomen, backache, depression, and irritability
* miscarriage when accompanied by dragging pains and irritability
* non-malignant swellings and tumors of the uterus (such as fibroids), again, when accompanied by the dragging pains and emotional make-up outlined above
* bedwetting in children when it occurs soon after falling asleep, and involuntary passing of urine on sneezing or coughing
* irritability, especially when connected with menstruation
* morning sickness, especially where cravings are worse in the morning and there is a craving for vinegar or pickles
* in cases of thrush or candidiasis
* young mothers who are having difficulty developing maternal feelings
* babies who dislike being held
* depression that is accompanied by irritability and an exaggerated sense of responsibility
* infertility, particularly when associated with loss of libido, exhaustion, and apathy

[wombatclay]

I'll have to see if I can find some sepia.

I'm getting frustrated. I can feel everything bulging right at the vaginal opening (sitting is uncomfy) and if I do kegels I can actually feel everything pull up and in...I tried last night and if I put my finger right at the vaginal opening and kegel the bulge actually vanishes within about 30-40 kegels. After 100 kegels the vaginal area feels almost normal.

But within a minute of stopping the kegels everything is right back down again.

So what to do? Keep kegelong and hope that eventually the muscle will hold everything in place even when not actively tightening it? Try something else? Live life in a handstand? Grrrrrrr.... it's so frustrating since the kegels obviously "work" but then everything just slides right back!

(and yeah, I'm not going to stop kegeling...it's just frustrating)

[nicoley73]

wombatclay, if you can, try and see a physical therapist. i kegeled like a madwoman, only to find out that i was doing them wrong. my pt also said not to do more than 50-60 a day. once i was doing them correctly it still took 6-8 weeks before i saw improvement.

you could also look into estrogen therapy. there are bio-identical creams - i think made from yams - if you are not comfortable with synthetics. i used estrace for a little while.

i hope you feel better soon.

[happy2bamama]

If anyone lives in Southern California, I know of an AMAZING physical therapist that specializes in prolapses.

[~*max*~]

I am definately going to get some Sepia too! Thank you for the info. How often do you take it?

Wombatclay, I am so w/you on the frustration this brings. I had been feeling better for a while, feeling like I was truly healing, then life got crazy on me (lots of stress) and everything seemed to regress.

The balms that Christine is selling on WholeWoman.com look interesting. I ordered some this weekend.

Does anyone have varicose veins from uterine prolapse? I had them during my pregnancy, and now they have returned w/the prolapse. And they are getting worse. It seems like my uterus is putting pressure on whatever the source of the veins is (just on one leg). I am afraid of how bad they may actually get. It also puts pressure on my pubic bone so my PSD can be quite painful. If anyone has any insights or suggestions I would be so grateful!

[Kiddoson]

Interesting..... when my bladder is REALLY full everything feels normal. Once I empty it sags down again. Anyone else? And any idea why?

[debsdancer]

I have decided that if I make myself urinate more often than I feel the need, I have less trouble with the prolapse AND I pee myself less... sigh... but whatever works.

[wombatclay]

kiddoson- I wonder...maybe the feeling of fullness and pressure from a really full bladder sort of "tricks" your body? Hmmmm. That doesn't sound right, let me see if I can explain...

Your body is "used" to the feeling of fullness and "swelling" caused by a full bladder. It interprets that sensation as totally normal for a really full bladder. So when your bladder is empty your body says "Hey! I still feel like things are bulging and full but there's no full bladder! Something is funky!" but when your bladder is full it sort of overrides this message?

I know that at first my prolapse wasn't as bothersome as the tear...my body kept shouting that something was wrong but it was focused on the pain from the tear. As the tear heals and the pain becomes less and less my body notices the sensations from the prolapse more and more. So although my prolapse hasn't actually gotten worse (in fact it seems to be gradually getting better) it FEELS worse since my body is paying more attention to it.

If that makes sense?

[~*max*~]

I just joined a gym today - gotta shed these last 10 pounds! I have been putting regular exercise off, other than walking, bc I was afraid it might worsen my prolapses. But I am over that now & am really feeling the need to make my body strong again, and not let the prolapse run my life. I know crunches & pilates are not supposed to be helpful, any other things I should avoid or be careful with? I'd like to do some nautilus, yoga, & body sculpting classes. TIA.

[nicoley73]

Originally Posted by ~*max*~

I just joined a gym today - gotta shed these last 10 pounds! I have been putting regular exercise off, other than walking, bc I was afraid it might worsen my prolapses. But I am over that now & am really feeling the need to make my body strong again, and not let the prolapse run my life. I know crunches & pilates are not supposed to be helpful, any other things I should avoid or be careful with? I'd like to do some nautilus, yoga, & body sculpting classes. TIA.

Pilates are good, if you can do it with the reformer. My PT said to watch out for yoga, since poses are held for a period of time - if they are the wrong kind they can put too much pressure on the pelvic floor. She said inversion poses are really good though .

Personally, I go for low impact - swimming, cycling, walking. But I've done that my whole life - big boobs so I hate anything that makes me bounce too much.

[Birth&Bunnies]

Originally Posted by nicoley73

Pilates are good, if you can do it with the reformer. My PT said to watch out for yoga, since poses are held for a period of time - if they are the wrong kind they can put too much pressure on the pelvic floor. She said inversion poses are really good though .

Personally, I go for low impact - swimming, cycling, walking. But I've done that my whole life - big boobs so I hate anything that makes me bounce too much.

Haha I'm, right with you there!

[debsdancer]

So I bought some Sepia 200c. I am an inexperienced homeopathic remedy user. Any advice would be appreciated! For instance, do you take it only when you are feeling symptoms, or preventitively? how often? how much? continuously or with "breaks?" Anything else I don't know to ask?

Thank you!

[Birth&Bunnies]

DOSAGE GUIDELINES:

Acute: When symptoms are immediate or severe, take under tongue 10-15 drops, or as dosage is listed, every 15 minutes not to exceed 3 hours total.

Subacute: When symptoms improve or are mild to moderate, take under tongue 10-15 drops, or as dosage is listed, every hour not to exceed 8 hours total.

Chronic: When symptoms last longer than 48 to 72 hours, take under tongue 10-15 drops as listed on the bottle.

Preventative: For maintenance of occasional symptoms or for a tendency toward the condition, take 10-15 drops once weekly or monthly as needed.

GENERAL RULES FOR TAKING REMEDIES:
Avoid Mint and Camphor as some remedies may be rendered less- or in-active.

Do not take within 10-15 minutes of ingesting anything else orally.

Coffee or tea should be avoided when they antidote.

Store in a cool, dark, environment away from exposure to sunlight, microwave or other electro-magnetic frequencies.

Clinical Effects Based On Level of Potency:

Use low doses (1X - !0X) for pharmacological support of acute problems and for stimulation of drainage.
Use medium doses (12X - 10X) for problems lasting longer than 10 days and symptom control.
Use high doses (60X and up_ for immediate effect on acute problems, constitutional or suppressed conditions.

[~*max*~]

Birth&Bunnies, one question I have always wondered about cafeine & remedies - does caffeine needed to be completely & permanently cut out or can it just be avoided in the time frame that the remedy is taken, i.e. that hour?

Thank you for all your info. It has been very helpful.