Jogging with grade 2 cystocele

Submitted by Bluey on August 11, 2013 - 10:14pm
Body: 

Hi there - I am really interested in hearing from anyone who has experience jogging with a grade 2 cystocele.....my story is: I had three quick labours with smaller than average babies (10 hours, 40mins and 2 hours), no forceps, no tearing etc so I thought I had got out of it all pretty unscathed....until.....about 2 weeks after having #3 I felt The Bulge. Obstetrician said it would go away and after about 18months or so I realised that I couldn't really feel it anymore (I did do a bit of the WW posture etc but to be honest I kind of stopped focusing on The Bulge - had a very unsettled baby to deal with so I found I only had the energy to deal with that - and after a while I just forgot about it).
Then I got very excited and went for a 5km run and BAM, it all came back. Stupid, I know, I should have probably started off a bit slower, but it wasn't a huge run so I thought it would be ok. Anyway! I have since seen a PT who said its a grade 2 cystocele with a grade 1 rectocele too. My questions are:

1. does running worsen a cystocele? ie have I made it worse than it was post partum, or did I probably just get it back to where it was straight after my baby was born? am I stupid to even consider running again, even just 5kms? I really love my running and I'm desperate to go for a jog, and I'm heartbroken to think that I couldn't do a fun-run with my kids etc. But I'm trying to be sensible and don't want to be stupid and regret it in 10 years time.
2. does running with a pessary make the cystocele worse? or basically keep it at the same level?
3. does a cystocele ALWAYS get worse after menopause - I'm just trying to get my head around what the future holds....
4. the cystocele actually felt worse after the PT (who specialises in this area) and I'm thinking that is because she asked me to "bare down" to see how bad it was - so I'm a bit annoyed about that. Has anyone had that experience?
5. the PT wants me to do pilates with her a couple of times to strengthen everything up, and of course has recommended lots of kegels. Can doing pilates and kegels actually make the cystocele worse? I'm happy to do pilates as I really want to do some strenuous exercise, but not if it could make things worse....
Thanks so much for your help!! Its really nice to know that I'm not alone!!

Forum:

Surviving60

August 12, 2013 - 4:57am

Hi Bluey and welcome. Need to clarify something here.

There is nothing in your post to indicate that you are familiar with Whole Woman teachings....except when you mention that you did the posture for awhile and then forgot about it. Everything else in your post could have been written by someone who just landed on this website 10 minutes ago.

So.....it sounds like you are aware of WW posture but you aren't practicing it. I would suggest that you pull out your book or DVD (or get them if you don't have anything) and get back into it. As for pilates, kegels, PT, running, suggest you do more searching/reading on this forum and on the blog page, as Christine has written extensively on them in addition to her body of work.

Not trying to dismiss your questions, just found your post a bit contradictory. "A bit" of WW posture isn't what this is all about. The idea is to learn it and live in it. - Surviving

kiko

August 12, 2013 - 6:27am

Running can actually be good for a prolapse. In fact, it's the most effective fix for me, AS LONG AS I run in WW posture, which is very different to my previous running posture :-/

My second child is one year old, and I'm in a similar prolapse position to yourself - get into the posture and once you're used to that get back into the running.

I don't really have answers to your other questions, except that pilates and kegels contributed to my prolapse development - so I personally stay away from them.

ceecee

August 13, 2013 - 1:29am

Hi Bluey currently PT theory is based upon the thinking that the pelvic floor muscles are the foundation for holding up the pelvic organs so in theory tightening them will help to prevent prolapse. Christine looks at the theory differently in that when we hold our bony pelvis in the correct posture, the bony floor (pubis) becomes the means for holding up pelvic organs and intrathecal pressure from breathing as we should - down into our relaxed lower belly - holds the organs in correct functional place. Maintain the posture as described by Christine as often as you can all day and keep it when you run too- keep well hydrated and eat fresh food to maintain an optimium inner environment - have lower back/gluteal massages to keep the muscles functional but loose to hold your pelvis in the correct nutated position, maintain the 90 degree organ outlet angle when using the toilet by sitting off the seat a little so as not to strain - good luck

Bluey

August 13, 2013 - 6:57am

Thanks so much for your lovely and helpful comments. Surviving60 thanks for redirecting me back to all the amazing posts available, I did read tons of them when this all first happened (and have the book and dvd), but needed to be reminded of how much is out there. Sorry if my post sounded contradictory, I was feeling a bit confused and depressed on the weekend and I think that was evident in the way I wrote! I've read more on pilates and cancelled my class and am feeling so much better about that. And no more kegels - i hate them anyway!! Kiko and ceecee thanks for the explanations, so inspired to hear that running in the WW posture actually helps you kiko and ceecee you're so kind to explain it all to me in such a succinct way. Its very inspiring to feel that there is a way forward!! xxx

laughLOVElive

August 14, 2013 - 4:51am

I found all this information very helpful too. I was a runner too and it was/is the most upsetting thing about my prolapse. I've been practising the posture for many months but really I know I'm not doing it well enough. I'm going to develop my own reminders to help me remember to live in posture and as I've learnt, it takes focus to retrain your stomach to relax. I'm hopeful to get back into running but know I need to get the posture right. Wishing you the best Bluey!

Bluey

August 14, 2013 - 10:28pm

Hi laughLOVElive - yes its really is upsetting when you love running isn't it? I have to say every now and then I feel really devastated about that. but it seems there is hope! we just have to be good about practising the WW posture and then take it slowly to begin with. Kiko has posted some really great comments on jogging (as have others) which are really inspiring (just do a search on "jogging" and you'll find them). I also find it really hard to relax my tummy muscles, and my posture has always been pretty slouchy, so its a big change for me, but definitely worth it. Its also really hard when you have PTs telling you the opposite to the WW information - tuck my bottom under, do the kegels etc. The PT I went to basically told me all bad news (especially re jogging) and then said "I'm glad you came to see me, don't you feel empowered now?!" and actually I felt more depressed than before!!! Anyway - its a journey isn't it? and there are far worse things. Good luck with it! xx

Surviving60

August 15, 2013 - 3:41am

Bluey, I laughed out loud (sitting in my bed at 4:30 AM) when I read what your PT said!!

Nothing against PTs, but, like doctors, they have it SO wrong when it comes to pelvic heath. They mean well, and this comment proves that they really honestly truly think they are helping. Kind of sad really. But I'm glad you have found the source of true empowerment. - Surviving

laughLOVElive

August 15, 2013 - 5:23am

Yes my PT was really nice and informative - and also gave the bad news! But I'm glad I made the decision to continue with WW. Thanks for the tip on searching jogging. I will look it up to keep motivating me to work on posture. I've been an avid runner since the age of 12 and it's been a great source of happiness and strength which I was looking forward to sharing with my children but as you say there is definitely hope! And yes, prolapse is definitely nothing compared with all the suffering in the world.

kiko

August 15, 2013 - 7:41pm

LaughLOVElive, I totally agree about sharing the running experience with your kids - my daughter is always asking to go running with me. She's a bit young (five) but we do run to the park together sometimes and it's wonderful to share.

Hope you all get out for a run very soon.

laughLOVElive

August 22, 2013 - 5:36am

Thanks Kiko - more motivation! And being able to run to the park with your daughter sounds lovely!