When I first “cracked the code” on stabilizing and reversing prolapse, and wrote and published Saving the Whole Woman, I set up this forum. While I had finally gotten my own severe uterine prolapse under control with the knowledge I had gained, I didn’t actually know if I could teach other women to do for themselves what I had done for my condition.
So I just started teaching women on this forum. Within weeks, the women started writing back, “It’s working! I can feel the difference!”
From that moment on, the forum became the hub of the Whole Woman Community. Unfortunately, spammers also discovered the forum, along with the thousands of women we had been helping. The level of spamming became so intolerable and time-consuming, we regretfully took the forum down.
Technology never sleeps, however, and we have better tools today for controlling spam than we did just a few years ago. So I am very excited and pleased to bring the forum back online.
If you are already a registered user you may now log in and post. If you have lost your password, just click the request new password tab and follow the directions.
Please review and agree to the disclaimer and the forum rules. Our moderators will remove any posts that are promotional or otherwise fail to meet our guidelines and will block repeat offenders.
Remember, the forum is here for two reasons. First, to get your questions answered by other women who have knowledge and experience to share. Second, it is the place to share your results and successes. Your stories will help other women learn that Whole Woman is what they need.
Whether you’re an old friend or a new acquaintance, welcome! The Whole Woman forum is a place where you can make a difference in your own life and the lives of thousands of women around the world!
Best wishes,
Christine Kent
Founder
Whole Woman
granolamom
November 9, 2008 - 9:46pm
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young mama's with prolapse
hi there and welcome to the forums (though I am so sorry you had reason to go looking for us)
there have been women in their 20's posting here, if I recall correctly some of whom had never even had children. so there goes the 'type of woman who has prolapse' thing. unfortunately this can happen to anyone. ok, so I was older than you when I found my prolapse (33 or 34, don't remember) and already had three kids, but still, I thought it was only the little old ladies in nursing homes who developed prolapse. quite shocking when it happens to you!
you wrote that you need help understanding all of this. when you get the book, you'll have a very detailed explanation of the normal anatomy (not the way the dr's see it but the way it should be) as well as a description of how a prolapse develops, how to stabilize, reverse and prevent it too.
your first birth, in all likelihood, set you up for this somewhat. helping a baby turn with suction is not very gentle on your vagina. episiotomy is pretty brutal too. now, there's a time and place for everything and of course the goal of childbirth is to end up with a healthy baby and mother, but unfortunately many doctors dont' realize what these seemingly benign interventions do to the mother's pelvic organ support system.
but the good news is that so often we hear of women with an early pp prolapse that resolves pretty quickly. you're still very early. forget about the 6-week myth, postpartum healing takes at least a year. personally, I was at my worst at three months pp, but it got better from there. not on its own, but with posture and some exercise.
I know how overwhelming and frightening it is to think 'oh g-d, I will have this horrible thing for the rest of my life'. but chances are good that you can stabilize and even reverse this to some degree. I am 99% symptom free (only symptomatic occasionally before my period and around ovulation) and have even gone on to have another baby. my life is great, I am in no way limited by this. the worst part of it (for me) was the emotional/psychological piece. prolapse made me feel extremely freakish, unsexy, old, frail, etc. but I'm over that now and back to my extremely sexy youthful and lively me. seriously though, you can do this. take it one day at a time. prolapse is not life threatening, you have time on your side.
and congratulations on your new baby. I think your kids are lucky to be so close in age and to have such a young mama. you'll get through this.
{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}
rosewood
November 9, 2008 - 10:07pm
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I can really understand
how it would be really hard to discover this in your early 20's. Certainly it's hard at any time, and there's another factor of the unreality of it happening at this stage of your life. As you'll see when you read Christine's book, its not so much an age issue, as birth injury at any age can lead to it. And, it's not just birth injury, either. It's lifestyle. It's epidemic in our culture.
Having said that, there's much reason to hope!! There's a lot you can do to heal, and as early post-partum as you are, you may see significant improvement. There's a grieving process for us all, and part of it is that it can't be happening to ME (whoever you are). The grieving can be anguish.
What you need to know is that there are many of us living very well with this condition -- perhaps living better than before, ironically. It's the silver lining of the cloud. There may be the temptation, especially at your age, to think of resorting to surgery (I don't know if it is!). This is where you really have some control, in my opinion -- to choose to let your body do its own healing and stabilization -- rather than subject your body to something that would be REALLY hard to live with for the rest of your life. Don't know if I 'm quite making sense, but stay around and let us support you.
And, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BABIES!
Finally, I'm sure it was the suction (vacuum) with my first that paved the way for my condition -- many of us have been injured by our modern obstetric practices -- hey, could have been worse -- the stories I've heard from my grand and great-grandmother's time -- brutal.
Sending healing thoughts -- Marie
luvmiboyz
November 9, 2008 - 10:11pm
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more on my 7wks postpartum condition
~Amanda
I havent been to the dr. yet...i go thursday to find out exactly what is going on...i stopped bleeding a few days ago but just started up again and im wondering if this is because of the prolapse. I wanted to explain what i see as far as the prolapse goes as well....im pretty sure i can see my cervix...it is just at the opening and then there is another bulge underneath it....i know i have a rectocele because i was having trouble with bowel movements but since i added more fiber to my diet and have been doing the posture it seems to have gotten better..so i cant see or feel it as much...not sure about the cystocele...i havent had any symptoms of that but im sure its there. Since im only 7 wks postpartum can i see a big difference in the next few weeks..months? If your uterus is coming down along with your cervix can it eventually go back up to where you cant see it? i know i have a lot of questions i just cant wait for the book i need some answers. I'm wondering since i am only 22 and dont fit any of the criteria if i was just born with something wrong....i noticed after my first son was born i had a lot of pain when using the bathroom...it was a sharp shooting pain and if my bladder would get really full and i would empty it....then lie down i would get a pain right where it was so bad i would have to sit up. I have had some of these symptoms this time too...i just ignored them last time and wrote it off as just part of having a baby...one more thing...
I use to be obsessed with doing ab workouts...crunches sit ups...leg lifts...i would do them every day hundreds at a time...i wonder if this might have caused this...or atleast did not help the situation...
luvmiboyz
November 9, 2008 - 10:32pm
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~Amandathank you so much
~Amanda
thank you so much for your replies....hope i didnt offend with the comment about not being the type of woman to have a prolapse....i honestly never knew this could happen to anyone...i wish i had been more educated about all this as a child or teenager. The reason i said that was because all the sites i look on say it happens to woman who have had long difficult labors...who are going through menopause...over weight...ect. After reading these posts i see that is deffinately not the case...just trying to figure out why it happening to me. I was handling it pretty well in the beginning and i think i still am but the more i think about it the more i wonder whats going to happen. I think you are right though...it is still early and im sure a lot will change in the coming months...also what kind of a birth injury could this be and how does it happen...hope thats not a stupid question. I am deffinately NOT considering surgery...i hope it never comes to that. I had anothe question to add to my list of questions....when the dr. stitched me up it looks like part of it either came undone or wasjust never stitched up....its probaly only a cm or so but if he fixes the tear could this possibly cause more problems for me? i hate to leave it like it is. thanks again for taking the time to answer me!! i posted that last one before i realized i had replies
Love2boys
November 10, 2008 - 12:16am
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Hi
Hi Luvmiboyz,
I also may have a prolapse too. My former OB never gave me clear answers as to what the lump was in there. She told me it was just my vaginal wall sagging and it's common to see that with women who've given birth vaginally. I had a 3rd degree tear that wasn't sewn up properly too...left part of the perineum open and 3 months ago my OB recut and restitched me because i was having pain still down there. She said she would fix the lump down there by strengthening my tissues...after the surgery i asked her if it was a prolapse and she said no, almost like a rectocele. So i'm really confused by this still cause rectocele is a prolapse. So i found myself a new OB and although my perineum got restitched it is raised now from how it was done and still is tender. but my new OB said it will soften in time and not be tender anymore, so i hope she's right. The lump was gone after the surgery until last week i saw it again. So now i'm reading up about prolapse and trying to figure out what i have. It's hard to examine cause i am still having pain inside. But i can tell you that the first month or two after my son's birth i felt the heavy sensation more down there and like something was inside. It got better without me doing anything about it. Now i am trying the posture and going to not push hard with my bowel movements and going to see my new OB on the 18th to find out what this lump is exactly and how bad it is if i do have a prolapse.
I don't feel the heavy sensation all the time, only sometimes and i don't have any urine or bowel problems otherwise except i have this hemmoroid that won't go away for good.
I am 30 and this was my first vaginal birth, my other baby was by csection. So i was surprised that i might have a prolapse too.
I think you will see and feel a major difference in time. You are lucky that you are looking into it now at this early stage after pp. I wish i started taking care of myself earlier after pp cause i remember straining on the toilet several times pp which i regret now.
luvmiboyz
November 10, 2008 - 2:46pm
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~Amanda I have been giving
~Amanda
I have been giving my prolapse a lot of thought today....i really think it started before i even had kids....i remember as a teenager everytime my period would come i would have a feeling of heaviness and it was pretty uncomfortable for me to be up and walking around a lot. I remember the inside was very swollen and tender and i always just thought it was normal...i never asked anyone about it. I also remember seeing a small bulge at the opening at the top....i thought it was part of the anatomy of the vagina....guess i was wrong. I cant believe a gyno never told me i had this...it seems it would have been obvious if they saw or felt it in an examination. I guess i was born with messed up pelvic floor muscles....i guess we all have our imperfections. After i had my second son i felt like my family was complete...so now after realizing i have this i really feel like it would be best to stop while im ahead with 2 healthy kids. thanks again for your replies it means a lot that you took the time
granolamom
November 10, 2008 - 6:44pm
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oh no!
I feel so strongly about a few things that have come up here, please everyone, when reading this know that its coming from a good place and if the tone comes across wrong I apologize in advance (I'm so good at saying things in a stupid way)
I just cannot believe that either of you two were born with this. as mentioned before, in another thread, this is largely a cultural problem. from our very first days we are conditioned to tuck our bums. to eat diets that lead to constipation and straining. to sit on soft furniture and watch tv. to exercise like the men around us. to birth our babies flat on our backs and then be supermom by 6 weeks pp. it goes on and on.
your body was in all likelihood born perfect. symptoms may have appeared in childhood or adolesence but that might have been due to the mistreatment of your body even then. hindsight is of course, 20/20. we can look back and say, see that's when it began. or I shouldn't have done this or that. that's a very normal part of the grieving process and its valuable, as long as we don't get caught up in blaming ourselves. now we know better, now we do better.
next, so many of us are angry with our doctors for not telling us more. most doctors have our best interests at heart (at least I'd like to think so) but they really do not know everything. WE have to take responsibility for our own health. yes, consult a dr when you need to. but a drs only know what they know. and in this case, what they know is far from the truth, as christine explains so well in her book and blog.
We've been let down, too, by being conditioned not to pay heed to our intuition, our own insights into our bodies and function. a woman who can see a rectocele and then is told its not prolapse?! that's insane, imo.
and third, far be it from me to tell anyone how to plan their families. but do not give up your hopes and dreams of more babies due to prolapse. I had my fourth after finding my 'celes and am no worse of for it. Thank G-d for christine for giving me the courage and the capacity to bring my beautiful little guy into our family. I know it feels like you will never be able to have another. but that is how you feel now. spend time here. apply the posture/exercises/lifestyle etc. you'll see how this can be stabilized, how you can appreciate the intrinsic strength and power of your body. you'll see that you can trust your body to carry another baby, if you so desire. It can be done.
and lastly, amanda, no worries about the 'type of woman' thing. I took no offense. was just saying that I felt the same way. every woman who finds a bulge in her vagina feels that way, because none of us are prepared for it. not in our 20's, not in our 30's and not in our 70's.
you're young, you're strong, you've got a good supply of estrogen going for you. you'll be ok, once you get over the hump.
what's that home depot tag line...you can do it. we can help.
annaf
November 12, 2008 - 12:13pm
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young women and prolapse
I was your age (22, 5’4’’, 125 lbs always active) when I began to have prolapse symptoms after an easy delivery (7 pounds baby), but I received an episiotomy that was “required” and that led to 3rd degree tear (not in USA). Episiotomy use was 100% there, today it’s about 98% (I heard stories that some young doctors when they forgot to perform the episiotomy (which was a hospital “delivery” requirement), they were afraid that they would be fired, so they cut a woman after the baby was delivered!). The delivery went very smoothly, the baby’s head was almost out when they directed me to birth/surgical table, fixed my legs and cut. 2 days after the delivery the stitches disintegrated and I was told that I don’t need any repair, that it’s just fine like it is. I am 36, have been dealing with prolapse since then without any surgical intervention. In my opinion there is significant number of young women out there with prolapse and many of them might not even know about it.
luvmiboyz
November 12, 2008 - 5:08pm
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thank you anna
~Amanda
that makes me feel better....i went to my postpartum appt today and it made me feel better too. He told me i had a mild cystocele and my cervix and everything else was still in place...i do have a rectocele but it has gotten better with a change of diet. He also told me once i stop breastfeeding i should see some improvement.
I was wondering if anyone has heard of an estrogen cream?? he told me i could start using that once i stop breastfeeding ...and he said if i get back on birth control it will increase my estrogen and may help too...
granolamom
November 12, 2008 - 7:45pm
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estrogen
if you type 'estrogen' into the search box here, you'll probably pull up a bunch of posts
I'm glad to hear that your cystocele is mild and that your uterus is in a good position. that's certainly good news.
my guess is that when women see improvement when they wean, its coincidental. estrogen levels oftentime resume during bf (as evidenced by return of periods) and I haven't heard anyone here report that weaning improved prolapse symptoms. probably because all estrogen can do for you is bulk up the vaginal tissue and maybe help with dryness. it cannot, unfortunately, reposition pelvic organs. sadly, this is another myth the medical community still believes. the good news is that you don't have to wait until you wean to see improvement. posture, exercise, diet, etc can all be helpful NOW.
luvmiboyz
November 13, 2008 - 2:55pm
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having trouble breathing with the posture??
~Amanda
thank you for the tips granola mom, im still learning this website....i typed in estrogen and found a lot of answers to my question.
When i stand in the posture it is actually harder for me to breath...and i get light headed sometimes....does it take time for you body to adjust....or maybe im just doing it wrong?? I will say my back has less tension since starting it...my neck doesnt hurt me anymore! the only place i have alittle discomfort is the middle of my back....i have really had to adjust myself when breastfeeding...i mainly lay down on my side or i sit in the floor with no back support and him propped up high so i dont slouch
annaf
November 13, 2008 - 11:05pm
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breastfeeding
Dear luvmiboyz,
Actually my symptoms improved after I stopped breastfeeding. It might take your body few months after you stop breastfeeding to get a hormone balance. As you describe your stage I think with Christine's program you have a great chance for significant improvement.
alemama
November 14, 2008 - 8:14am
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old post
you can probably find my old post where I figured out the connection between estrogen and breast feeding- but in case you don't want to go searching- what granolamom says is exactly right. Breast feeding is actually amazing for prolapse. Until your menstrual cycle returns your estrogen is lower- but the trade off is that you do not have to have periods (well if your estrogen is low you won't- some women have amazing estrogen production through lactation- and start cycling again right after the birth- weaning for increased estrogen does not apply to them). If you read here much you will have read the connection between bad prolapse days and where a woman is in her cycle. Almost everyone here has reported feeling lower, more pressure, etc during a period and some even have increased symptoms at ovulation.
annaf, I am curious as to when you stopped breastfeeding? Did you start feeling better right away? Had your cycle already returned?
My cycle did not return for a year and a half (or so I can't remember exactly-but it is documented here somewhere)- and I am pregnant now and finally weaning my little nurser- he's two. Right at a year I started feeling really good.
annaf
November 14, 2008 - 9:09am
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breastfeeding/ prolapse
I have 3 children. I had breastfed each of them for 18 months. The youngest is 5 years old now. I felt improvement within about 4 months after I stopped breastfeeding. My cycle returned back about 2 months after the delivery (after each delivery) and it has been very regular for all my life. When I was about one year after the last delivery I found Christine's program and the improvement was even better (not to tell about the relieve that I don't have to have the surgery). I have to say that during periods the symptoms are a bit worse, but well... I don't know any woman (even "healthy" one) that would like her periods. So I just deal with it and try to "help" my body as much as I can.
mommynow
November 14, 2008 - 8:27pm
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I have never been 'not
I have never been 'not breastfeeding' since getting prolapse 3 years ago but I can say that when I got my period back after the first baby my prolapse actually got worse. This baby is 13 months old and I still don't have it back (and really dread getting it after last time). I think that that would be the same as not breastfeeding wouldn't it? Anyway just wanted to share so that you enjoy this time breastfeeding because you may feel better now instead of the other way around.
Oh ya I also feel like I can't breath when I am in posture properly. I was glad to read that someone else feels that way. I am assuming it is because I slumped so much before that it is a big change to make internally as well.
Blue
November 15, 2008 - 8:05am
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Posture/Breathe
.
I don't know if this will help, but make sure that in your attempts to lift your ribcage up, you aren't arching your back in the process, nor holding tense; your appearance should be relaxed, not robotic - Think in terms of elongating your body, with shoulders relaxed down, parallel with the hips (neither forward nor back). "If you hung an imaginary plumb line from the earlobe, the line would hang straight through the middle of the anklebone."
Hang in there - It does take a while to retrain both our body's frame and our frame of mind, but given time, it will become second nature.
Breathe and be good
♥~Blue
alemama
November 15, 2008 - 2:39pm
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interesting
How cool! Thanks for sharing that. Since having my first child I have not been unpregnant or not breastfeeding-
I know the reason Doctors site for recommending that after breast-feeding ends prolapse will improve is the estrogen increase-
but since you already had your cycle back for well over a year I wonder exactly what the "real" connection is?
I wonder if it is just good old fashioned time passage? What do you think annaf? Is there some other physiological function connected with breastfeeding?
granolamom
November 15, 2008 - 8:12pm
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I wonder too
I've been pg and/or bf for over 10 years now. almost 11.
so I developed my prolapse while bf an 18 mo (had already gotten my period back) and it stabilized some and even began to get smaller over the next year and a half (still bf).
after this last baby, I was at my absolute worst at 3 mo pp. by 6 mo pp I was back at my baseline, periods resumed at 7 mo. I'm still bf.
I think there are so many yet undiscovered physiological funtions connected with bf, and like everything else, probably a bit of variation from woman to woman. some swear that exclusive bf works like birth control, and yet, I know people who've gotten pg at 2 mo pp while exclusively bf on demand, cosleeping and all.
it really doesn't matter much, I wouldn't mind at all if when I wean, the prolapse goes away. I don't even think hoping for that (even if I can't find a good reason to believe it) is a bad thing either.
but I wouldn't recommend weaning in hopes of reversing a prolapse. high cost in hopes of unproven gain.
luvmiboyz
November 15, 2008 - 10:28pm
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Will i ever feel almost normal again?
~Amanda
okay girls.....i am 8 wks postpartum now....i have been taking it easy...no crunches no straining and trying to stay in the posture(waiting for my book still).......despite breastfeeding or not breastfeeding please tell me my cystocele will eventually not be so bad.
Even though it does come close to bulging out when i stand i dont really feel it all that bad...i do feel some heaviness down there but not the feeling like it is falling out.Will there ever be a time i dont see the bulge? Will i feel normal again? or almost normal im kind of down about it and just want some hope ...i can except that i will feel worse when my period comes but other than that i just want to know that i can lead a normal life without being restricted by this.
I don't even want to have sex with my husband...i just tell him i need more time with all this.....I feel like i just want to leave the area alone and not cause any more problems. What about going and doing fun stuff like roller coasters? or riding a bike? jumping on a trampoline? jumping into a swimming pool? i couldnt wait to not be pregnant anymore so i could do these things and now i feel fragile....i wont even let my 2 year old crawl on me...i feel like i have to protect my lower abdomen again..
i just wonder if i will ever feel "whole" again like i dont have to worry about this stuff and i can just be free like a 22 year old should feel...or anybody for that matter. I do try to keep in mind my body has been through A LOT in the last 3 years i had my first son and then 1 year later got pregnant with my 2nd son who i am now breastfeeding. I think we really underestimate what our bodies go through when they carry a baby and then deliver one.
i also dont know if i trust my doctor...he says its not that bad and it will improve but i just wonder if he doesnt know what he is talking about so he just told me that to get me out of his office and on my way...he has been a great dr. so i have no reason to really believe that but he is a man and doesnt know what it feels like to go through something like this....when i asked him why he thinks this happened he said just blame it on the boys(talking about my 2 sons)...........okay well sorry for rambling on
rosewood
November 16, 2008 - 12:44am
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bf and prolapse
My youngest weaned about 6 mos ago at age 3 -- I had been b/f for 9 years at that point - sorry to say no huge change in symptoms, but everything so much better by then since when noticed prolapse after his birth, that I didn't take note. I noticed a much bigger change in how I felt after he started walking at 17 mos. and I didn't have a baby to constantly carry around. So, imo, wouldn't wean to achieve relief. Marie
granolamom
November 16, 2008 - 8:25am
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I feel normal again
amanda
8 weeks is soooooo early on, pp wise. really. you probably should still be taking things easy, protecting your abdomen, etc even if you didn't have a prolapse. you're right, the body's been through quite an event. especially having babies so close together (which, btw, I think is awesome for the kids).
but
your body is not as fragile as it feels right now. the prolapse isn't going to break or rupture or pop. the damage is done. yes, there are things you can do to make it worse, like straining on the toilet or tons of crunches. but sex is good for prolapse! actually can push things (temporarily) back where they belong. anyway, pp sex can be anxiety-ridden. I think the tips here tend to include lots of lube and wine : )
I can't promise you what will be, no one knows that. but I can tell you that my prolapse was pretty bad. actually peeking out at its worst.
and now I live a normal life. I am in no way restricted by this. I carry my kids. I run around. I garden. I jump into swimming pools and ride roller coasters. I never was very athletic, but there are others here who are back to running, biking, horseback riding, etc.
I'm telling you, life is good. even with a prolapse. but to keep it real, know also that I watch my diet (avoiding constipation like the plague) and posture constantly. I do the firebreathing and nauli twice daily unless I have my period. I don't wear control top hose, or tight waisted clothing and I've stopped wearing heels for long periods of time.
the worst part of POP for me was coming to terms with it psychologically. the loss is real, the grief is real, and the mourning cannot be rushed along or pushed aside. but you'll get through it and come out the other side. I think you'll be ok. just take it one day at a time.
luvmiboyz
November 18, 2008 - 1:37pm
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granolamom
~Amanda
its weird that this does have such an effect on someone...i mean its not life threatening and people have dealt with way worse......but it really does hurt to know that something is wrong with my body...its more annoying than anything.
On the positive side i have really started to change my diet so hopefully by eating well i wont have to face other health problems that maybe i would have had if i hadnt started being alittle more conscious of my eating habits. I think the only thing to do is take it one day at a time...we arent promised tomorrow so today is really all that matters and worrying about whats going to happen when i go through menopause or if i ever choose to have more children isnt going to help me now just make things worse.
Im glad to know that people have gone back to the things they love...horse back riding, rollercoasters, and running i cant wait to get to the point where its not something ithink about everyday. My main fear really is going back to work....im a hairdresser and i am on my feet a lot but im not going back to work for a while so hopefully by then ill be okay.
luvmiboyz
July 19, 2009 - 10:18pm
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reminiscing...
i was just reminiscing on when I first realized I had prolapse, at about 3 wks pp. I found this old post of mine I wrote when i was feeling desperate. Everything granolamom told me was so true and i am so thankful for this website and for all the encouraging words you all have shared with me. Its funny to look back and my first post and realize how much i have learned in these last 10 months....I knew absolutely nothing about any of this stuff and now its almost second nature to me..the posture and what i should and shouldnt eat. If i could say anything to anyone who has just started dealing with it i would say give it time because your body really does heal to a degree especially with alittle help. For me walking in posture has been my turnaround and of course avoiding constipation. Things seem to improve so slowly over time you almost dont even notice it until you stop and think about how good you are feeling compared to just a few months ago. I am at about 70% now but from where iwas this is HUGE. I do just about everything different now..im conscious of my prolapse but without really thinking about it. I pick everthing up with my feet LOL i hardly ever bend down unless i have to pick the baby up! Im having a hard time figuring out how to brush my teeth without bending forward??
~Amanda:)
alemama
July 20, 2009 - 8:00am
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it is fun
I also enjoy tracking my progress-- one day I will print out all my posts and be able to see chronological order how it all went down (and then maybe I will add my 'story').
re: brushing teeth- 1. in the shower 2. at the kitchen sink 3. deep second position squat 4. sitting down over a bowl (sit on toilet seat) 5. walking around outside
So glad you are feeling good. AND the great news is that it really does get even better!
granolamom
July 21, 2009 - 6:27pm
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amazing isnt' it
amazing how quickly time flies by and how much we learn and grow and change.
I remember, quite clearly, typing out those words to you last November. only I could've sworn it was just a few months ago.
I'm really happy things are working out for you. it will continue to improve.
life is good!
louiseds
July 21, 2009 - 8:29pm
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reminiscing
Hi Amanda
Thanks for posting your progress. It will, I am sure, inspire others who are a few weeks postpartum.
Re cleaning your teeth, clean your teeth standing upright, then just bend from the hips to rinse. It is not like you are lifting a big load when you are rinsing your mouth out, and it's only a few seconds.
I think we need to use all the muscles we can when bending over. It is a natural movement, after all. The big problems happen when large intraabdominal forces are generated, that try and blow out the pelvic floor, eg picking up large loads that are in difficult positions. eg, to pick up something heavy that is under a bench I get down into flat kneeling, then bend forward from the hips and pull the box out with my arm muscles. My sacrum is locked down pretty hard to protect my pelvic area. Then I stand up, bend forward from the hips and lift mostly with my thighs and arms, with tummy and back muscles braced, keeping the load close to my body.
Re picking things up with your toes, what a wonderful way to do leg raises. Just try to do it with both feet so you don't get lop-sided. I remember now that I used to do that a lot when I was carrying babies and toddlers around. I must have developed great balance!
Cheers
Louise
luvmiboyz
July 21, 2009 - 8:54pm
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good tip about brushing
good tip about brushing teeth in the shower..i tried it today and it worked well...It just seems like when i bend forward alot I get that heavy feeling.
Today I was picking up some ABC magnets off the floor with my toes and my 2 1/2 year old was laughing at me and then he started trying to do it! It was cute
Time does fly i cant believe its been almost a year since i found this site