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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>scottishmommy</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1284355/cervical-prolapse-and-degrees#post_16143798"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br>
I'm not a birth professional (I hope it's ok that I'm posting here), but I read a study recently where selected women were checked for prolapse 6 months postpartum and 87% had a first degree prolapse, another 6% had severe prolapse and the rest did not have any visible pro lapse. The conclusion of the study was that prolapse should be considered a normal occurrence after childbirth. I think that midwives and obs should tell their new mothers that they should expect some form of prolapse after giving birth and that all women should have pt after birth. I think the hardest part about it is that women are totally blindsided and didn't see it coming.<br>
Here's the link. The author is a well known urogyn<br>
<a href="http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/461719_7" target="_blank">http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/461719_7</a></div>
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First--if you see my thread today "are you a birth professional", you will see that I am happy to have you announce your non-pro status. I think most of us welcome input from anyone, and appreicate insights and links from all. Just good to be clear about whether or not a poster is a birth pro or not...helps put a post in context for all readers.</p>
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<p>Second, I can well believe the stats you posted. And I agree--a small degree of prolapse is probably pretty normal, considering the work that birth is for (and to) the pelvic floor. After my 2nd baby was born (2nd birth in 14months, precip delivery), I saw a doc for a 6wk pp checkup. I was 22 and very healthy and fit at the time, as well as planning a large family. She did a bi-manual exam, pronounced me prolapsed--and when I asked for elaboration, this is what she told me: that it was mild at present but would probably only get worse in time and with more births, would likely result in urinary incontinence by the time I was 40, and not to worry--I could have a hysterectomy then. No, no other 'known cure'.</p>
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<p>Jeepers! Luckily for me, I did not believe her and immediately set about doing my yoga, kegels, etc (this was in 1980, before the pilates/core-work boom). Now, at 53, and 6 kids total, I still have my uterus and no issues. Since then, I've seen quite a few women with small degree of prolapse in postpartum, I take it as expectable and usually see improvement as time passes (unless the mom is simply overworked and overtired, then yes, it can definitely get worse over time)</p>
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<p>Same doc also told me that I had a blocked tube (from a pp infection following my UC) and was unlikely to conceive again, except for ectopically--because even though the one tube was still open, it was also likely scarred and would not be able to help eggs get into my uterus. Nothing to do about that from a med perspective, either. I used homeopathic treatment a year later when I started cycling again...released the very type of 'serous fluid' that the doc had said was in the tube--and remained the fertile myrtle I'd always been. NO trouble conceiving (more like the opposite!) or carrying, ever. So much for allopathy....</p>
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<p>But I will say this--as years pass and I work with more women through pregnancy and birth, I also work harder to get them to do some core work during pregnancy and following birth. It doesn't have to be major workouts--the simplest of exercises done 10 min a day quite readily help women to avoid prolapse, diastasis, and even SPD (the worst of SPD anyway), and to restore the pelvic floor quickly following birth. First, rest for a few weeks...then some toning. As for SPD, no, we can't do anything about pelvic tendency to be unstable due to relaxin--but when the surrounding musculature is sufficiently toned, that instability is lessened considerably--better controlled. Along with lessening of pain and mobility issues that plague some. Anyway--the more I learn about the pelvic floor and the musculo-skeletal system generally, the more I see how modern lifestyles harm us and the more I see how core work is needed by pregnant/postpartum women. I bought a book on Pilates for pregnancy that I've been loaning around--and seeing fantastic results with prolapse issues, even hemorroids and vulval varicosities.<br>
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<p>Completed Beginnings...may your recovery be fast and complete, and may all for you improve greatly in the coming year. Your story has touched many of us, and I too appreciate your honesty in sharing it. We need to know these things, to help us and our clients avoid such difficult and enduring issues where we can.</p>
