Exercise Video Suggestions??

Submitted by Amy on June 9, 2005 - 10:38pm
Body: 

Hi-
This is my first post, but I've been following this forum since last September. (About the time of the "great eyebrow debate" some of you may remember.):-) I am 38 with universal prolapse (uterus, cyctocele, rectocele). My prolapse first presented itself within a week of delivering my first child. It was such a horrible feeling of something falling out of my body that I quickly called the doctor's nurse who asked me sarcastically, "Didn't you just have a baby?". Well, yes, but didn't the doctor get everything out?! At the follow up appointment, the doctor ineptly attempted to explain to me what a cystocele and rectocele were and told me I just may never be able to lift heavy things again. I was terribly depressed. That "falling out" feeling lasted for six months.

I can't completely blame labor and delivery for my prolapse (although it was OP presentation and a lot of hard pushing). I had been told, rather offhandedly, by an OBGYN when I was 25 and newly married that my cervix was very low and that I would probably need a hysterectomy as a young person. She seemed surprised that sex wasn't uncomfortable for me, and she told me I may not be able to carry a child. It was at least five years before I had the courage to go to another OBGYN.

In September I had yet another unfortunate OBGYN encounter. I was told by my new doctor that I needed to decide if I wanted to have another baby (and if yes, do it soon) or have a hysterectomy. Thank God my post-exam Google search led me to this website, or I would have had the surgery in January. It is the direct result of coming across Christine's work and this wonderful forum that I am "whole" today.

Okay, after that long intro. here's my question...has anyone found a prolapse-friendly exercise video? I love pilates and had hoped that after several months of using the postural dynamics taught here, I would be able to do it again (despite Christine's warnings). But now I am a believer. I had my worst prolapse day in months after doing my Winsor Pilates video that morning. I would really like to find something that helps strenthen and tone all the muscle groups without compromising the pelvic floor. 2bees was right in her post when she suggested Christine put a 30 min. workout routine together! But in the meantime, I'd love to hear what videos/routines others are finding beneficial.

Before I sign off, I want to thank Christine for the incredible work she is doing, and thank the women of this community forum for sharing their stories and providing a place where I can safely share mine.

Amy
-oh, and by the way, I do believe our eyebrows can help lift our uteruses. :-)

Christine

June 10, 2005 - 8:30am

Amy

Amy

June 11, 2005 - 12:16am

Christine,
Thank you for your eloquent reply to my letter. Your words, far from "being a boring sop", spoke to issues that I struggle with regularly. In fact, you so squarely hit on some of my stumbling blocks that I re-read my original post to see what may have tipped you off to me. :-)

Perhaps it's not just me, but many women, who struggle with defining and focusing on what they want. Regardless, I will heed your advice to stay focused and hope that others will hear and heed your message as well.

And I have to say that your acknowledgement of life being "damn hard" was both refreshing and thought provoking for me. It's a fact that I often have trouble accepting. As I contemplated that today, I decided that rather than accepting and embracing the difficulty of life, I think much of our culture says that we can (and should) buy, medicate, vacation and party our way out of all types of pain and suffering. And this, I believe, leads to unrealistic and unfulfilled expectations for many of us...which leads to disappointment, discouragement, anger and many other ills. It seems to me that it would be healthier to view our life's difficulties as gifts of learning, because, as you know, much can be learned through suffering. I'm certainly not there yet, but it seems like a good idea!

Again, I will say that I am grateful to you for taking your suffering and turning it into a mission to help other women. My husband's then 93 year old grandmother (now 98) told him once that many things happened in her life that made absolutely no sense to her at the time, but in looking back she was always able to see how those things were preparing her for the future. It's great to hear of someone else who has had a similar experience.

Many thanks,
Amy
(Also, you mentioned "intentions" in your response...have you read Wayne Dyer's book The Power of Intention? It is sitting unread in my magazing rack, but I wondered if you have read it if you would recommend it or not.)

Christine

June 11, 2005 - 10:22am

Yes...I think there are certain experiences in life that are archetypal in nature. When they happen to us we think we are so alone, but then find our story in fables and fairytales throughout ages and cultures. I haven't read Wayne Dyer specifically, but have kept a pretty steady diet of open-the-mind type reading for decades. You are definitely a kindred spirit and I'm so glad you are with us!