So Lonley

Hi Back in Time,

Hysterectomy is a travesty and should never have been carried out for benign indications (conscientious doctors at the turn of the 20th century felt the same). The work now is acceptance and gentle self-care. While it is our perspective that the post-hyst woman needs the WW work at least as much as the rest of us, you are correct that the results are not nearly the same. Clearly there are worse situations though. For instance, I would certainly rather have a hysterectomy than a hip replacement.

Please don't leap. Hang around with us and let's move beyond our wounds. We have a poetry forum that needs some livening up and we will give you all our thoughts on healing.

Love from Christine

Hi dear back in time,
"you are not alone"...if you take a look at the poetry forum, my little non - poem starts with that line, as I often visualize all my Sisters here, all over the world as I go about my day.

I also feel different in my part of the world, and do my WW thing on my own.. I tell others as much as I can though, & try to contribute here.
I am also so lucky that I now can chat to Louiseds so far away on the other side of Aus occasionally!

I have used myself as a kind of experiment with WW to see what I can do and modify other things to suit, and I have had some setbacks, which I have resolved, and many more successes...WW is a journey and whatever happens I know I am on the best holistic track.

All the best and love to you back in time,

Aussie Soul Sister

Dear Aussie Soul Sister!
First, I do love your posts. They are educational and inspirational! I too had the dreaded hysterectomy 3 years ago because I had fibroids and a uterine prolapse, and my obgyn said I had to have it! I happily discovered this wonderful forum months afterwards when I developed bladder/pop not sure because my dr had a heart attack and retired last year, and I haven't found another one yet! Honestly, I have little faith in the medical profession. I've heard some horror stories first hand. That being said, I read today on the forum, someone's post about pelvic floor prolapse requiring surgery? I panicked, so I may have misunderstood. I thought we could manage prolapse with WW work. That is my goal, and I am investigating what to purchase next. I have read Christine's wonderful book already. I ABSOLUTELY do not want another surgery! Please advise me how to avoid one. Thanks SO much!
Meems

Hi back in time

Just want to say that I sometimes get that doomed feeling also because I've had three episiotomies and two tears and no longer have much of a perineum.

But I figure that this is the material I've got to work with, damaged or not, and I'll just have to make do with what I can. In the end each of us will die and our uteruses along with us, the important thing is that we live as strongly and comfortably as possible while we are alive.

So yes your job might be more difficult than other women but you have the knowledge that many don't. Stand straight, lift your chest, breathe deeply, protect your pelvic organs fiercely. Do the exercises that strengthen your upper body and help you to carry your pelvic organs. Don't strain, don't lift too heavy. Listen carefully to what makes you feel better, what makes you feel worse.

I have a baby who is a prime candidate for being carried or worn (fussy baby born with a health condition) and I tried to do it but it just didn't feel right in my pelvis. So I stopped. I don't care if all my friends can do it- it's not good for me, I'll have to find other ways of soothing him.

Good luck to you.

Here is the original thread about Lopo from Louise herself:

http://wholewoman.com/forum/node/2981

Yes, this is true that we must find what works best for each of us as individuals. I too use more of a hovering squat in whole woman posture for this task. It puts less pressure on my severe prolapse, although I will also use the Lopo position sometimes in the beginning to get things moving along.
Whatever works!!

Dear meems,
Just a quick note to thank you for your kind words!
I am so grateful that my posts are of help!

wishing you all the best,

Aussie Soul Sister

I used to eliminate bending forward off the seat (as mentioned above) and this was much better than the standard posture I used prior to finding this site.

But to add to the conversation or offer another option - in my consult, Christine mentioned the twist and now I use that while sitting forward on the seat with my tailbone up. I twist to the right (works best for me) and tuck my chin in hard and really twist my upper body toward the wall and lift up through the crown of my head. The first time I tried this it worked so well I have kept using it. It helps straighten me out so I don't have to splint much.

I have to watch constipation closely (diet related) not prolpase related (although it helped to cause my prolapse) so I am very conscious of doing what I can to help evacuation (and following a diet that helps of course). I have garden variety prolapse if that helps so what works for me might be different to other prolapses.

I have not tried the twist lifting off the seat. Feet not twisting just from hips. It might be a bit hard and unnecessary - not sure.

Twisting to the right always helped me, and I discovered this years before I realized I had rectocele, or even heard of it! Now I use this in combination with other elements of WW toilet position. Not a LOPO expert however. - Surviving

Oh Back In Time, how I hear exactly what you are saying. I had a hysterectomy close to 20 years ago and now struggle with multiple prolapses now which have caused me to have to make significant adjustments in my life and activities. I refuse to consider further surgical options as I am only 56 and don't want to be further plagued by the probable complications that would result I'm sure. I do try to follow the WW posturing recommendations and I honestly don't know if they help me since everything inside is in a total fallen heap it seems. But I press on anyway cuz not doing WW might bring on an even worse situation.
And I agree with you about not going to the historectomy sisters site...I find the site waaaay too pro surgery!
Hang in there tho. I am here if you need support, one post op gal to another.

We love our post-hyst sisters!!

I just tried that twisting as described, and found it to be very beneficial. Thanks ladies for always keeping things fresh and and versatile!