26 year old with urethrocele and rectocele 2 weeks pp. Kind words needed!

Submitted by Active Mama on December 30, 2013 - 3:39pm
Body: 

I am 26 years old and 2 weeks post partum with my second baby. My first birth 2.5 years ago resulted in a 3rd degree perineal tear due to forced (purple) pushing and lying flat on my back. My second birth I was on all four's but also had to push in a hurry because the baby's heart rate kept dropping to 50bpm. This last birth resulted in a 2nd degre tear which has healed well so far. I discovered my prolapse a few days ago when I looked with a mirror to check on how my stitches were healing. I saw a nurse practitioner 3 days ago and she said I had a urethrocele and also a rectocele. My urethra is RIGHT at the entrance of my vagina and I am told this is considered to be a stage 3 prolapse. Every time I walk around I feel like my vaginal organs are falling out which is VERY uncomfortable and a constant reminder to this depressing diagnosis. I am completely devastated because I am a huge gym rat and love exercise and physical activity in all forms-- especially high impact activities like running, climbing mountains, jumping, etc. I have a very active 2.5 year old who I miss picking up and chasing around. I'm very healthy and fit and have made a lifestyle out of healthful eating. I am also wondering (freaking out) how my husband and I will continue to have sex when my organs are almost out of my vagina.
I know it is still extremely early in my post partum days but I can't imagine waiting 4 or more months to run and have sex normally again. Please someone tell me that (normal) sex and running will be in my near-ish future! I am only 26 years old and feel like my future has been robbed by my body falling apart-- aren't these things supposed to occur post-menopause?? Any help or encouragement will be greatly appreciated as my husband's attitude is "you will heal, you're young and healthy." Also, has anyone had success with using a pessary while exercising? Thanks!!

Forum:

kiko

December 30, 2013 - 10:38pm

Congratulations on the new baby, first of all!

Secondly, it takes two years to completely heal from a birth. And we all heal at different rates.

Thirdly, and most importantly, try to stay in WW posture as much as you can. You'll be able to pick up your 2 year old again but go easy on yourself as long as you can. You'll be able to run again, but you've got to give your body time to catch up with your mind's demands. If you crave exercise, get the First Aid for Prolapse DVD.

Prolapse is very common immediately after birth - for some women it heals completely two years postpartum and they have no problems with it again (this happened to my mum). Others, like me, need to work consistently at posture to manage and reduce the symptoms. I'm 16 months postpartum and I run, swim and even pick up my five year old. But I wasn't doing any of these things until about 8 months postpartum.

I had more to say but I've just noticed my five year old doing something naughty. Gotta go.

123Butterfly

December 31, 2013 - 6:46am

Hi and congrats on the baby :-).
I know exactly how you feel... I'm 31 and noticed my prolapse after baby number 3, 15 month ago. I always was an active person and loved to play volleyball, ride and do other things. I have an urethrocystocele and there are good days and there are bad days.
The most important thing, like kiko mentioned, is to learn posture and to live posture. It willhelp you stabilize your prolapse.
As long as you are in posture, you can nearly do everything. But first of all, posture has to become second nature.
And if you are breastfeeding, you should wait with high-impact-sports like running. I know, it's hard, but while breastfeeding your body is full of hormones. They are making everything softer. Walking in posture is very good. Swimming, WW-Yoga. There are a lot of activities to start with an later you'll be able to run again. But give your body the time it needs.
Pessary, especially when you have rectocele, can make prolapse worse :-(.
I know that sounds all terrible... You need patience.
All the best
Butterfly

Surviving60

December 31, 2013 - 7:19am

I had never heard of prolapse during my childbearing years, but I certainly felt bulgy after the birth of each of my (large) babies. I wouldn’t have expected to feel normal for awhile, so these symptoms did not cause me any concern, and I had no desire to pull out the mirror (still don’t). The symptoms resolved on their own, and I returned to my life of doing all the wrong things: Kegels, suck-and-tuck posture, working out in suck-and-tuck posture, general cluelessness about the true source of pelvic organ support……let’s face it, Christine’s teachings have only been around for about a decade. Anyway, after menopause my ‘celes manifested themselves as so many do: As something coming seemingly out of blue, when in reality, things have been in the works for decades.

So enjoy your baby and please take this as a wake-up call. You are young and your body is waiting to do your bidding. Learn what WW posture is all about and start this work while it can make the most difference. You will be able to do anything you want, once you understand and apply the concepts. Good luck to you - Surviving

Active Mama

December 31, 2013 - 4:29pm

Thank you for all your replies. It is good to hear that things can improve and symptoms can go away. I have a cousin who had a severe prolapse with the birth of her first child and after a year it went away and symptoms ceased and I'm hoping (and praying) that I might have a similar experience. I will look into the WW posture and see what it is all about.
I've also noticed that when symptoms are really bad and I lie down for 30mins or more I feel better. Any idea why this would be? Also, for those of you who experienced their POP post partum, when did things start getting better time wise? Any other advice? Thank you all again.

kiko

January 1, 2014 - 4:21pm

I think when your symptoms are feeling really bad it's a sign you're tired, and the lying down gives you the rest you need. I always find that the more tired I am, the more symptomatic I am. A lie-down or an early night makes all the difference.

My guess is you will probably not feel much better for a few months. Four months post-partum was the worst point for me. Then it got incrementally but steadily better.

I cannot stress enough that you need to give your body time to rest and heal, especially as you have stitches. When you're ready, take short walks in Whole Woman posture as you feel the need. Don't be afraid to carry your baby, but pay attention to posture as you do.

Just referring back to a previous poster's comment, I personally do not think you need to wait until you stop breastfeeding before you start running. I'm still breastfeeding my 16-month-old, with no intention of weaning soon, and have been running short distances since he was 8 months.

Surviving60

January 1, 2014 - 6:50am

Running must be done in posture, and posture takes time to learn. I say hold off on the high-impact stuff until your healing is farther along and you have learned WW posture and can hold it while going about your day. Walking in conscious posture is how I learned....it's great for symptoms too.

it might be hard for you to slow down a bit and hold off from pushing your body so hard. But this is the time, your body is telling you things need to change. Learn the posture, stay in it, walk every day, get a DVD or two from Christine, and let your mind and body take firm hold of these concepts. Then you can return to running. And sex will not be a problem either. You're only two weeks out. You didn't have this issue after your first, but you have it now, and you do need to heed the call. It may go away for now, but if you don't want to see it again in a few years or decades, take action. - Surviving

Active Mama

January 3, 2014 - 7:37pm

Thanks for all your comments and advice on running. I went to the grocery store with my kids today and after getting home had to lie down for several hours because I felt like I was falling out down there and extremely achy. This is so frustrating! I can't even walk normal yet, I have to walk very slowly. I'm also very concerned because after next week I will be at home from 5:30am to 5:30pm with my 2 year old and newborn. I will be 4 weeks post partum at that point. All I want to do is to be able to walk and take care of my children! Praying that I will feel better in a weeks time.....

AnyutaYaTuta

January 9, 2014 - 3:29pm

Just wanted to share that I'm 33 and also developed rectocele and cystocele after my second vaginal delivery. Baby is 3.5 mo and I'm nursing so I really hope things might improve especially once we're done breastfreding and estrogen comes back. I still haven't had intercourse and am scared to try once my husband sees my organs protruding from my vagina. I also love physical fitness and high impact cardio, which I can't imagine living without :(

chickaboom

January 10, 2014 - 4:18am

When you learn and implement the posture, when it becomes a part of your nature , you will *know* what is good for your body and pelvic organs and what isn't. The posture is key to it all.

Surviving60

January 10, 2014 - 5:21am

When you have fully healed and mastered WW posture, you will find you can do pretty much anything without compromising organ support. It is a journey to get to that point. But this work gives new meaning to the term physical fitness - you can be the fittest you've ever been. Learn what this is about. - Surviving

first time mama...

August 7, 2015 - 12:45am

I'd love to know how things worked out for post partum ladies who posted more than 2 years ago. I don't suppose there's a way to find out unless they post again, right?

And I keep hearing this "2 year healing" time frame for post partum. Where does that come from? What's it based on? Can someone explain?

Surviving60

August 7, 2015 - 3:38am

The two-year time frame is what it is. I'm not sure what kind of explanation you are looking for. Of course, doctors will have you think that you are "back to normal" by 6 weeks, but women know better. I first heard this wisdom after coming to WW, and it is borne out by the experiences of countless mothers.

When you are signed onto the Forum, you can click on anyone's screen name and "track" any other threads in which they may have posted. But you are correct, if they haven't posted, there is nothing to track. - Surviving