37 weeks pregnant and I'm falling out

Hi Mako

(((Hugs)))

Sounds like you're feeling pretty awful right now, and fearful for what will happen over the next few weeks. Second and subsequent babies engage gradually, rather than the usually sudden engagement of the head during first pregnancies. In this sense it may be normal. I can remember during my second pregnancy experiencing the same sort of thing, including a very distended perineum, about the same time, though I was only brave enought to get outthe mirror once, TMI indeed!! I went on to have a normal active labour except for artificial rupture of membranes and second stage lying on my side, which was great. I had zero response from my pelvic floor muscles for some time after the birth (weeks?) and eventually had some electrical stimulation therapy to wake up the nerve pathways again. They were fine after a couple of treatments and I was able to get full recovery of function after a few months with regular Kegels.

You may be closer to the birth than you think (though I hesitate to encourage any pregnant woman to think she may go early!) In your position I would be spending some time on hands and knees with belly hanging free, or other positions which would keep the pressure off my vulva, eg coma position, for comfort as much as anything. If you keep the pressure off, the organs may move up and baby's head may move right down and keep them out of the way.

Also, keep lifting and other increasers of intraabdominal pressure to a minimum so you don't blow out your pelvic floor more than necessary. As your body gets closer to labour your lumbar curve will straighten out allow the baby's head to engage in the pelvis. At that point there isn't a lot of room for bladder or rectum deep in the pelvis, so they will descend, rather than get out of the way if you convince them to get out of the way.

Does your Obstetrician or midwife know this is happening? If not, it would probably be a good move to at least let them know and hear their comments, and talk over options during labour to minimise further prolapse. I guess there is not a lot they can do at this stage, other than just wait.

Looking forward to hearing of baby's safe birth.

Cheers

Louise

hi tara
I had baby number four a couple of years after finding my prolapse. so I had a chance to work with it and stabilize things before becoming pg. that said, if I remember correctly (it was a few years ago), the end was fairly uncomfortable. I got all bulgy. I spent alot of time on hands and knees - that seemed to relieve the pressure.
it gets better after birth, but not immediately. and then it gets worse, and then it gets way better.

as someone who routinely suffers from PPD, I'm commenting on that too. I'm currently about 16 weeks pg with baby number five and already I've begun reading up on ways to prevent/aleviate PPD should it happen again (no reason to think it won't, it always does). I'm hoping the steps I'm taking now, and the plan I'm coming up with will be helpful. maybe its something you want to think about. PPD can be awful, with or without prolapse.

and one more thing...how's your diet? keep it light, avoid constipation. that always makes things worse.

Hi Tara,

So sorry to hear that the prolapse is getting you down. I'm in your boat also - 22.5 weeks pregnant, and I have a feeling (though I refuse to look) that cystocele and rectocele are worsening week by week. Follow the wise words of the smart women in this group and hang in there! It's hard to know how things will go after the birth, but usually things improve - I almost fully recovered after my son's birth and was completely asymptomatic... and that is after having grade 3 prolapse of uterus and grade 2 cystocele.

Hang in there and remember that you are not alone - and that there is much you can do to heal and take care of yourself after your baby's birth.

Phoebe

eat your placenta......it works really! Some people say if you dry it and put it in capsules that it good to (TCM)-I can't personally vouch for that method-
I ate mine raw. Yes now you all know I am a total freak:) I had considered it during my pregnancy and was totally grossed out by the idea- but when the time came...(hahaha) it was so totally no big deal. Dh sliced it up and I swallowed it whole. I didn't eat the whole thing (it was very large) just a few small cubes- but I would have had more. It is also supposed to be great for preventing postpartum hemorrhage.
I did some reading about the role of the placenta and hormone production etc.. and it seems that the placenta takes over some of the normal hormone production of the brain and then after birth it takes a little while for the brain to kick back into normal production.
anyway something to consider- read about- etc.

especially that rectocele. Sorry you are going through this- it must really hurt sometimes. I also had some swelling at the end. In fact I kinda got used to it and now that the baby is out I almost feel like my vagina is missing some cushion or something-weird. My rectocele got bigger too- and my walls got all soft-
don't worry about the birth- your baby will come out- though you may want to start thinking about hands and knees in water- I had to modify that to get my little sweet baby out but ended up in a great position- I checked inside my vagina about 20 min before the baby was out and the walls were pulled up and stretched and there was no prolapse in sight- so know that your baby will move everything out of the way.

things to do:
elbows and knees for sure
lubrication ( I like olive oil)- may help it slip back up and in
sitz baths- some comforting herbs and soak- even just epsom salt will help reduce the swelling
long soaks in a warm tub
NO HEAVY LIFTING
no straining on the toilet
get off your feet every hour for at least 10 minutes- lie down or get on hands and knees
Stretch out your hamstrings frequently
pay close attention to your chest, neck and shoulders (shoulders relaxed, neck long, chest lifted)
Manual replacement-if you think that would help
Pelvic rocks- on hands and knees
Eat pineapple and sweet potato

How to avoid postpartum depression:
realize that some sadness is to be expected
spend time thinking about being un-pregnant- some depression comes from missing the pregnancy
Have a fulfilling birth- this is key!!!!
Eat your placenta
Rest well
Eat good food
Get support from your spouse and community- go to a La Leche League meeting

How to deal with Postpartum prolapse:
REST! most important - stay in bed primarily for at least 2 weeks- emerging only to take a brief walk each day and use the restroom and eat
Do not do too much too soon. Your bed is your friend- your laundry is not. Enjoy active days but start them late and end them early
Sitz bath- so good for you
elbows and knees frequently
NO LIFTING
After the 3 month mark Nauli- great for postpartum diastisis too.
Keep your hamstrings long
Support your SI joint
take time each day to lie flat on your back and stretch your arms up and point your toes
POSTURE!
do not wear restricting clothing

I too suffered the discomfort of prolapse during pregnancy - it is no fun at all! I did not notice prolapse til I was 17 weeks pregnant with my 2nd. It made for a difficult pregnancy; especially at the end when just thinking of moving from a sit to stand made me grimace........You will feel better with the weight off - much better. I don't think my prolapse ever really worsened postpartum, because having the weight off was such a relief. I'm now 4 months (18 weekspp), and things are definitely feeling better. (I do believe real healing doesn't happen til 3 months pp, that's when I really started feeling better). Sure the prolapse is still there, but I'm not feeling it like I was before. Alemama has given you very good advice for your remaining pregnant weeks, labour/delivery, and pp. Listen to her, follow her and g-mom's advice and read the old posts from her, granolamom, fullofgrace etc. It will help to give you hope and an idea of the road to recovery. Take it one day at a time, and hang in there. You WILL feel better soon, and you will meet your new bundle of joy soon!.....Keep us posted on your labour and delivery! You will get through this, and things WILL get better!