I'm a sea sponge newbie. Help me!!

I'm not a sea sponge user, but recall someone suggesting tying a piece of dental floss to the underside, so you can pull it out. I tried the ss early on, but it wasn't comfortable. I've heard others say it's been great for them. Maybe someone else will chime in.

Marie

PS, most importantly, congrats on the baby!!

Hey Karen...I haven't tried a sea sponge yet, but I'm thinking about ordering one, so let me know if things get better. What size did you order? At the Jade and Pearl website the sea pearls come in 3 different sizes and you can also order sea pearls for prolapse which are the biggest. I hate that I may have to order the biggest size...geez. I guess I can trim them down if they are too big, though?
thanks!
katie

I was involved in that discussion, though I haven't used sea sponges. I suggested doing an in and out stitch (running stitch?) from the bottom to the top going right through the sponge to the other side, then going back the other way so the whole string is anchored all the way up, and two tails hang out the bottom. This was because somebody had a bit of difficulty getting one out and the bit of sponge she was pulling on came off the end and made it even more difficult to remove. Don't be put off though. Practice makes perfect.

Hey ladies, what was the outcome of that suggestion?

Cheers

Louise

Hi Louise,

I was the one having trouble locating the sponge and you suggested I sew the string to it. It worked great for keeping track of the thing...no more digging around to find it and having pieces of it tear off, but like Karen's did, mine hurt like crazy trying to remove it. Also, after a while my prolapse would just fall over the sponge. It just doesn't work for me, or I just don't know how to insert it properly.

Sue is the expert on Sea Sponges and she has had success with hers. Maybe she'll read this give us some pointers!

I recently tried the Sports tampon. My prolapse was having none of that and pushed it right back out!

Sorry Karen. Wish I could be more help.

Regards,

~Mae

Hi Blue,

You tried the Sea sponge as well. Remember we were "in it" together and Louise was going crazy over our "you first" back and forth. Did you have any success with yours?

Hope things are well with you.

Regards,

~Mae

Hi Karen,

While I have sea sponges (Sea Pearls), I really haven't made enough use of them to be able to share a whole lot of insight on their removal (I'm faring well enough without, it seems, while walking/hiking/cycling, and lifting my granddaughter in stage-3). Like you, I also recall experiencing quite a bit of resistance when pulling the sponge out, though not that I was fearful of pulling out anything else along with it, as well as noticing a slight tinge of blood. I was just thinking, though, since POPs tend to be less pronounced while lying down, you might want to consider doing so when removing your sponge, to see if that makes a difference? I know that's not possible away from home, but perhaps you can find another position to try while out (umm, perhaps while standing, or with one foot hiked up on the john or some such?) just a thought.

Although you're likely already doing so, per instructions, thoroughly wet your sponge with warm water and then squeeze out the excess water prior to insertion. I imagine that if it's being inserted on the dry side, it's likely to be relatively dry coming out, as well...a moist sponge is a softer one as a rule. In the same vein, perhaps a 'removal & rinse' midway through the 5-hour duration might have made a difference as well(?); again, just some thoughts off the top. The comfort and support you experienced the first time 'round sounds worth some 'trial & error' to find the ease you seek. Please share your findings if you do end up pursuing it further.

Congratulations on the birth of your precious little one, Karen! = : )

~♥Blue

Yepper, I was your sea pearl partner, kiddo, although I cannot recall for the life of me who it was that did end up going first when all was 'serted and done! I do though, recall that Louise had you in "stitches" and that attaching a rip-cord helped you keep tabs on your elusive sponge.

As I just shared with Karen, I haven't really been using my sponge much at all as I seem to be faring okay without, even with all the brisk walking, hiking and cycling my hubby and I have been doing.

All is well my way, thanks. My daughter-in-law started student teaching this fall, so between that and her and my son's work hours, I've been busy taking care of my two-year old granddaughter most days of the week. She's a solid little sprite and I really feel it by day's end from those unavoidable lifts I do, but gosh, it is SO worth it, and as long as I do my best to stay in WW-posture when I can, I recover well enough, it seems.

The weather has taken a turn for the colder up this way, but I love the changes autumn brings, so all's golden. = : )

I always look for your posts, Mae. Continued best wishes to your daughter and her little one growing. I am so excited for you! What a year this will be, eh? -Grandchildren are so precious. I hope all is well with you and yours too.

Be good

~♥Blue

Hi Karen, Mae and Blue and others

Clonacmoise had a little bleeding when pulling the sponge out too. I am wondering if it is anything to do with the irregular surface of the sponge. A sponge has a very large surface area with all the holes in it. I wonder if it kind of sucks on to the surface of the vagina?

The other thing is that I was googling the other day and found a Yahoo group for pessary users. Someone might like to join it and see if there are some new ideas there. Maybe it is all Wholewoman members? ;-)

Cheers

Louise

Hi Blue,

I always look for your posts as well! We actually joined WW at about the same time (although I was a lurker for a very long time) and you were my first Forum Friend! Bless that little sponge trial! You know what they say...you never forget your first! LOL!

I am pretty sure you tried the sponge before I did, ( I am such a chicken after my failed finger surgery..which I credit for NOT having POP surgery) although I can't be positive it was you and not me. We had a lot of laughs though with those posts (Louise kept egging us on...shameful woman!) and I think that's important. We can't take this POP too seriously. It's not life threatening, although it is a pain in the butt and elsewhere for us, we can manage it through WW!

Good days, bad days..I have them both. However, I have learned what to do to bring on a good, or bad day and have only myself to blame, or thank, for the kind of day I am having.

All is well here, knock on wood. I have learned that that can turn on a dime! We spent two fabulous weeks in Hawaii in July (where, I swear, I almost completely forgot about my POP) and are looking forward to going nowhere next year..we want to just stay here and enjoy our new grandbaby..God willing!

Nice to catch up Blue. Glad to hear your POP is behaving!

Warmest regards,

~Grandmae

karen, I'm sorry this answer comes so late, but I just saw your post. If your sponge does not feel comfortable or is too large, you may trim the wet sponge 1/8th of an inch around the perimeter until it fits you perfectly. This may take several tries to get right. You may also lubricate the sponge. We sell a pure Shea Nut Butter which is the perfect lube for insertion. You may also sew a piece of dental floss to your sponge to aid in removal. Once you get used to using your sponge, you'll be amazed at how simple it is. gloria

I just started using those sponges for prolapse. I cut mine into at least 1/3 because it was so big. Worked well except after 2 hours the fluid started leaking out of it. Maybe because it is too small. Then when I went to retrieve it, I had such a hard time getting it out, there was some light colored blood on it. Any suggestions? Should I just trim the 2nd one only a little even though it is so huge?