Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Support Thread - Page 3

[~*max*~]

Fruitful Womb, sounds like you found a good PT. I'm glad. And that makes a lot of sense about the position to do kegals in. Gotta try that.

I go back to urologist today for the remainder of my work up. You cannot imagine how much I am dreading this!!!!!! I already put it off once, so I've got to go. Wish me luck!

[fruitful womb]

Good Luck! I hope everything goes okay. Let us know how it went.

[querico]

Hi everybody. Feeling better today, physically and mentally.
I saw a new OB/GYN today who was very reassuring.
He said to not even think of the future or surgery right now. His feeling was that until I stop breastfeeding and menstruate again, there is no way to say what will happen. He said he has seen women with severe prolapses completely resolve after a year or so- mentioned "not even being able to find them". Again, he explained that nursing blocks the circulation of estrogen, which is vital to vaginal healing and restoration. He said that this was not a reason to stop nursing, but important to keep in mind when I feel frustrated.
He also said that if a very thorough exam is done on all women after delivering vaginally, you could find some type of pelvic prolapse in 75% of women in the first 6 months post partum! this makes the condition seem so much more "normal". He did add that they are usually grade 1-2, and mine is a 3, but I still felt reassured.
He doesn't want to see me back until I have stopped breastfeeding for 3 months, and then would like to take a look.
(I am 10 wks PP now.)

thanks for the support!

[fruitful womb]

WOW!!! Thats really good news! I wish I had a doctor like him. How far are you pp? I forget. Do you have the other prolapses too? What grade are they at? This "normalizing" you gyn spoke of is really encouraging. I have(or had) a grade 3 uterine prolapse but the other prolapses are worse. I'm glad you had a better experience than most of us normally do at the doc's office.

[Zoo Loo Naturals]

Hi.

I have 5 kiddos. My first was a c-sec my last two were 10lbs. 14oz. and 10lbs. 12oz. I am 5 months postpartum. I have a mild rectocele. Noticed it after my first big baby. Didn't seem to get worse after my other big baby. But I do notice things being much looser PP for a while. I swim alot and am a firm believer that it tones this region very well.

In my experience you are not fully strong and yourself until 4 years PP. Sort of a gradual transition back. So, if you are having kiddos a year, 18 months (I did) or even 3 years apart you are still in that rebuilding phase.

For me a strong back, strong stomach, strong legs, good nutrition, low stress and much love for this body that birthed these amazing kiddos is my health plan. I do all of my healing myself. I honestly think nursing and carrying my babe on my back help me very much to connect with what is real and get my bod strong.

Working in the birth field I am sad to say that this is a subject not given it's due. My midwives never mentioned it and I will say some of their practices may have actually led to my issue (and I push really fast, 5-10 minutes to birth those big babies). I am dissappointed with the lack of care in this area in midwifery. My sign to change that!

But what I always come back to is my experience with animals and the natural world and I let all ideas of perfect or "how things should be" go and focus on what is and seeing the glory in living. My self-image needs to be strong as well. Just like grey hair and wrinkles and stretchmarks. Life changes us. Birthing changes us.

Cheers to happy pelvic health Mamas!!






Oh, I wanted to ask how your sex lives are affected? How your partners might feel about your changed vagina? Anyone think sex as exercise might be beneficial?

[~*max*~]

Well, I had my "urodynamic" work up yesterday, and it was quite awful. I won't go into details, but suffice it to say it was embarassing and painful. I am still recovering today. But the good news is that it is nothing too serious or "life threatening". They found that I have stress urinaray incontinence, due to the uterine prolapse and overactive bladder. He offered me meds for the overactive bladder, which I refused, and surgery for the bladder, also refused. The doctor was very nice & supportive and said it is all a matter of what I am comfortable with. My next step will be to meet w/my GYN again to discuss all the results and make a plan for continued monitoring. I am going to ask her about the possibility of a pessary.

Thanks everyone for the support around this. I am really glad we have this thread going.

[wombatclay]

hugs max...I'm sorry the news wasn't better and that the options weren't very helpful, but I'm glad there was nothing more serious found.

And thanks everyone for the reminders that this takes time...with a toddler and newborn (and soon to be back at work with no idea of what sort of child care I'll be able to afford) it's hard for me to feel like my body hasn't "failed" me in some way. Like, if only my body were okay then everything else would be easier? I know that isn't true, but it's hard to remember when my little babe is crying, my toddler is running for the road, and I have no idea what I'm going to find when I open the fridge....it's easier to just "blame" my body I think.

Bleh...I guess there's a big chunk of emotional healing that I need to focus on as well as the physical. And this thread is a huge help there!

[nicoley73]

I haven't posted in a while - I recently moved and my life has been very hectic. I guess I'll give a quick review of my situation - 2 weeks postpartum with my 2nd child, I called my OB in a panic because my cervix was coming out. I started PT at 5 weeks pp, now at 3.5 mos pp I feel pretty much okay. I really credit the physical therapy with helping - as well as taking it easy, not lifting (not even my toddler) and getting enough sleep.

I am noticing that if I get run down I feel the prolapse more. And I totally relate to feeling like my body has failed me - I have so much going on that I really need to be well physically. I try to just push through - if I stop moving I could get really depressed.

I also take homeopathic sepia when I feel worse - it also seems to help - and I loved my fembrace - it helped me get through those first few months when I felt like my insides were coming out.

[fruitful womb]

Originally Posted by nicoley73

I haven't posted in a while - I recently moved and my life has been very hectic. I guess I'll give a quick review of my situation - 2 weeks postpartum with my 2nd child, I called my OB in a panic because my cervix was coming out. I started PT at 5 weeks pp, now at 3.5 mos pp I feel pretty much okay. I really credit the physical therapy with helping - as well as taking it easy, not lifting (not even my toddler) and getting enough sleep.

I am noticing that if I get run down I feel the prolapse more. And I totally relate to feeling like my body has failed me - I have so much going on that I really need to be well physically. I try to just push through - if I stop moving I could get really depressed.

I also take homeopathic sepia when I feel worse - it also seems to help - and I loved my fembrace - it helped me get through those first few months when I felt like my insides were coming out.

Moves can be draining yet fun and exciting. I wish we could move back to Colorado! About the sepia... My Midwife Manual, "Hearts and Hands" suggested it. I meant to post that information but it slipped my mind. I need to get more of that stuff. It really relaxes me and helps the prolapse too.

Originally Posted by Zoo Loo Naturals

Oh, I wanted to ask how your sex lives are affected? How your partners might feel about your changed vagina? Anyone think sex as exercise might be beneficial?

Zoo Loo, Welcome!! Thank you for your encouragement. We want to have another child in 4 yrs so this was especially helpful. You had big babies! You asked about our sex lives. Sex is suppose to be therapy, so I'm told. It helps push things back up. Before my diagnosis my dh says he liked it better (for some odd reason). After the diagnosis and hearing that the OB/gyn and Midwife said I look like a 60 yr old!!!!!!!!!!! He hasn't touched me since. Its been a month and a half, I believe. I'm 29 and no Grey hairs and my cervix is up most of the time. I think they were rudely harsh and have NO bedside manners. It was a marketing ploy. "If they cry, they buy". Just a doctor who was itching to do an unnecessary
hysterectomy. I won't see him or that Midwife again!

~max~ I'm sorry things didn't go well at the docs. Were they rough with you?

[wombatclay]

Sex- my OB recommends it for muscle tone but suggested that I avoid all penetration (sexual or otherwise) for at least 6 months to allow my tear to heal "all the way". She pointed out that this still leaves plenty of options... But dh and I just haven't had a chance and my tear is still pretty painful.

[~*max*~]

Fruitful Womb, do tell about the sepia!! Is it homeopathic? My trouble w/homeopathic treatments is that I am so addicted to coffee they usually don't work for me. : (Having a nice big cup right now!)

Re: the docor's appointment, they were very nice, but yes, the nurse was none to gentle inserting the cathetars. I am almost recovered today thankfully.

Welcome Zoo Loo! In response to your sex question, I am over a year pp, so I am fully healed there. The prolapse does not seem to cause me any problems sex-wise. (One good thing at least!)

nicoley, I definately share the "feeling the prolapse more when run down" thing. The end of the day is always my worst time. I often need to sit w/an ice pack on and sometimes take ibuprofin if I am really in pain. (My prolapse causes my PSD & VV to hurt.)

And wombatclay, I too often feel like "everything would be ok if my body were ok." It's so hard not being able to be as active, strong & energetic as I would like to be. The other thing I worry about w/this is that I will gain weight if I cannot be as active. I am still not quite at my pre-pregnancy weight (about 8 pounds to go) and I certainly don't want to start gaining.

[nicoley73]

fruitful womb - that is just terrible what your OB said to you! both of my doctors said that prolapse was not unusual in young women and that they see it all the time.

I did see a surgeon who spent a long time talking to me. In his opinion, surgery is a big deal and should only be considered when your quality of life is really being affected by the prolapses. It was really nice to meet a surgeon who was not pushing surgery! Luckily I feel pretty good right now, but I will not be surprised if I need surgery somewhere down the road. I'm hoping that techniques improve more as time goes on so that the surgeries will be less invasive and more successful.

[~*max*~]

Originally Posted by nicoley73

fruitful womb - that is just terrible what your OB said to you! both of my doctors said that prolapse was not unusual in young women and that they see it all the time.

I agree Fruitful Womb, very unprofessional of the doctor. Maybe your dh is worried that he will hurt you? I know mine had some concerns about that. Have you been able to talk to him about it?

[fruitful womb]

Originally Posted by ~*max*~

Fruitful Womb, do tell about the sepia!! Is it homeopathic? My trouble w/homeopathic treatments is that I am so addicted to coffee they usually don't work for me. : (Having a nice big cup right now!)

Yes, its homeopathic. I'd quote exactly what the book says but I'm not at my house right now. When I get home tonight I'll share that with you
Does coffee surpress the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies. (The spell check is disabled on this computer. aaahhh!)

Originally Posted by ~*max*~

Maybe your dh is worried that he will hurt you?

Thats what he said. He is afraid he'll hurt me. I believe him. Its just hard not to think he is rejecting me because of this statement the dr. made. Sex doesn't hurt. It will get dry sometimes and thats not fun. But as far as my prolapse, it doesn't hurt. I don't feel any sensation down there during intercourse. I know, TMI, sorry. Maybe its apart of the prolapse or stress or the nerves are shot. The friction is less since he has beed restoring foreskin and that helps. TMI

[wombatclay]

Does coffee surpress the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies.

Coffee and mint both "counteract" homeopathic treatments. I'd usually remember to wait on the coffee but I'd always forget and brush my teeth too soon!

Arnica is a good treatment for healing tissue, but it was tough to be caffiene and mint free!

I hope you and your dh find a good balance soon...maybe he would be more comfortable with something other than penetration for a while? Especially if your dh knows you aren't getting a lot out of it (and he's worried about hurting you)?

[ASC]

Very interesting post - thank you! I glanced at The Whole Woman website and it looks like it has a lot of good info, so thanks for that too.

I'm not sure if I have POP or am just experiencing normal post-birth changes. When pregnant with DS #1, I was religious aobut my Kegels and thought I was safe from this sort of thing, but ever since his birth I've felt that things just aren't right "down there". Eventhough I didn't tear, it took me a long time to recover. Eventhough he's now 2, I still feel like my vagina is bulging out and things are way too relaxed. I've tried to tell myself that I just need to get back to doing Kegels on a regular basis, but I can't help but worry that there's more to it than that. I'm now pregnant with baby #2 and have lots of problems, including a lovely labial vericose vein, and the feeling that my vagina is going to just fall off and take my insides with it. Thankfully my NP recommended a V2 supporter and that has made a world of difference in combatting the pressue. But, all of that also makes me worry that there is something more to what I'm feeling than just normal untoned muscle.

My real question is, how are you diagnosed with POP? Is it something that would have automatically been found in my post partum/pregnancy checks, or is it something I need to be more pro-active about?

I'd been planning on taking up pilates as soon as I could after this baby comes, since my stomach muscles stayed prety far separated after having my son, but now I'll make sure to get this POP stuff figured out before proceeding with that!

[debsdancer]

ASC, I have felt the exact same way (vagina bulging, just gonna fall right out) - my last baby is now a year old and it's much worse than after the first. As for Pilates, that was going to be my 'savior' too, because I also have abdominal separation, and everything I've been reading says to avoid Pilates mat routines, BOTH for POP and abdominal separation. So I'm floundering, feeling like there's nothing I can DO (I want to be active SO BADLY), and hoping that I can things somewhat back in shape eventually...

has anyone here used the book or video from Whole Woman? Or the device? I'm thinking about ordering it but don't know quite what I'll be getting. How might Physical Therapy differ from the stuff on her video? I'm thinking about trying to get referred for PT but don't have an OB here and don't know where to start. I also don't have anyone to care for the kiddos while doing PT, so if the Whole Woman stuff is similar it would be more convenient to be able to do it at home.

thanks...

[~*max*~]

debsdancer, I like the video a lot. I try to do it daily. It only takes about 15 minutes and really focuses on all the muscles & ligaments associated w/prolapse. The video itself also has a lot of info in it, generally a summary of the book. The exercises in the book are ballet based, take about 45 minutes I believe, and IMO are a bit trickier to follow using the book as a guide - although the book does give good descriptions & pictures. I am not sure what device you are referring to? She recommends a wooden batton for the video exercises, but I don't think it is really necessary. The other thing I am going to look into is the "Lose Your Mummy Tummy" exercise video. The author of the book is a PT and seems to really focus on healing abdominal separation and stregthening the pelvic floor. It seems like it would be a good resourse for us prolapse mamas.

ASC, I was dx. w/POP by my GYN one year pp. I went to her bc I was having stress incontinence. It was not dx. or even mentioned at my 6 pp week check up. I don't know if I had it then, or if I was just healing from the birth. I knew throughout my pregnancy though that something was wrong w/my body and worried if I would be able to fully heal after the birth.

HTH.

[fruitful womb]

Originally Posted by ASC

My real question is, how are you diagnosed with POP? Is it something that would have automatically been found in my post partum/pregnancy checks, or is it something I need to be more pro-active about?

Different doctors have their preferences for dxing their patients. It depends on who you go to. I went two different docs. One had me bare down. This same doctor (warning graphic details ahead) inserted his finger into the rectum and forced tissue out of my vagina. That really hurt!!! He said, "yep, a grade 3 rectocele!). I didn't have any problems with a rectocele until after he hurt me:

The 2nd doctor inserted a q tip in my urethra. He had me cough. The q tip is suppose to swing at a certain angle. 40 degrees is normal. Mine was 90 degrees! Then he would palpate my organs. Nothing painful. And no bearing down.

I hope I answered your question.

[wombatclay]

I have both of Tulper's books..."lose the mummy tummy" and "maternal fitness" and I love them. The mummy tummy book focuses on healing/repairing diastasis. The maternal fitness one has many of the same exercises but also has stuff specifically for use during pregnancy/birth. Both books are on amazon, and there is a "cheat sheet" of her basic ideas at http://www.maternalfitness.com/baks_basics.pdf

I was dx when I had my 4th degree tear after shoulder dystocia...my OB checked everything as she was putting me back together!