Help, please? Possible Prolapse.

Don't they advise not to have sex until after the six week checkup? I don't believe I would have sex until after you see your doctor next week. He wants to check your cervix to be sure it has closed back up tightly. If it hasn't, you risk infection.

I don't know how the OB office can tell you that what you have is "normal" without looking at it. I don't recall the immediate postpartum uterus hanging near the opening, only to move back up later. Not sure what whoever told you that meant.

Ah, well then that is different than what they told me, which was six weeks.

I'm very surprised they consider it normal for your cervix to be visible at the introitus... maybe I'm ignorant but I've never heard of a "temporary prolapse" like that after childbirth. I know it takes time for the uterus to return to pre-pregnancy size, but if anything, the large uterus lifts the cervix up out of the vagina... or at least I thought. Maybe there is swelling that makes it protrude farther into the vagina. But that is not a prolapse, and it still should not show all the way at the entrance. You did say it was right there at the opening, right? I cannot see how that is in any way a "normal" event after childbirth but I guess I could be wrong... don't want to argue with the nurse you spoke with... but I really don't get it.

If it is a prolapse, I don't think sex would hurt it. If you want to be adventurous, examine yourself with a finger while lying down and you will be able to tell if there is enough "room" inside there for sex. You should also be able to locate the cervix, and it should be well back inside you.

Hi Kayray76

I wouldn't be pressing too many panic buttons yet. You are still very early postpartum. I am sure another couple of weeks of doing nothing is not going to hurt. On the other hand, if your discharge papers say 'you can have sex any time after three weeks', that is probably exactly what it means! Just give it a 'Slow Gentle Try With Plenty Of Foreplay and Lube', if DH can get his head around this concept. ;-) You may still be a bit dry, especially if breastfeeding. And make sure you are both clean, as AnneH mentioned the risk of infection. (DH, this means hands and mouth too!) It is not like he has never been in there before, is it?

I think that the great Designer of Bodies would have built in a safety mechanism to ensure that the vagina and uterus was ready for sex again after childbirth. Our bodies are pretty well evolved for reducing and repelling infections. (My intuition tells me that if your cervix is a little open still there is still natural cleanup drainage happening anyway, and your cervix is a bit open for a few days every time you ovulate anyway, so ...) But also, there are no open wounds with prolapse. The uterus, bladder and rectum have just become more mobile behind the vaginal walls. They are just in different positions. Sex is not going to do any (more) structural damage. It all just sloshes around (a bit more than it used to)! LOL

I think that saafety mechanism might be called the Return Of Libido. I have great faith in the body's design and function. Maybe I am naive, but logic tells me that if you are ready, you are ready. That's as long as it was a straightforward birth. Just exercise appropriate caution, be clean, and take it slow with lots of lube if you can't wait for your appointment.

Re the normality of bits hanging down into your vagina, many women find this in the months after childbirth. There has been a lot of stretching and growth in your belly over the last year, so it may take a year or so to return to a state of longterm stability. Your belly probably still feels a bit squishy too. Be patient. You may not know for quite some time yet how much everything will rise back up again and become firmer all by itself. You won't be like this forever.

Don't take any notice of the Glossies with their pictures of anorexic celebs in bikinis at 6 weeks postpartum. You know why so many of them adopt babies?? The celebs who have normal bodies and no nannies are not in bikinis in full view of the parrarazzi for good reason! They are still carrying a bit of weight, lookin' a bit tired, and actually too busy being Mum to their precious baby to go out looking for photo opportunities!

While you wait for your Ob appointment go to www.wholewoman.com and check out the FAQ's. Here you will find some things you can do for yourself to help your body recover. Your posture is especially important, and may need some changes in your brain about what your body should look like. Tummy in, bum tucked under, NOT. The fitness people seem to have it wrong on this, for women. It is tempting to slouch as well, especially when feeding your baby in your arms.

Wholewoman advocates a traditional female posture, which displays breast proudly, lowered relaxed shoulders, maintains the lumbar (lower back) curve and proud booty out the back. It is really tall and regal. You'll feel like the best-looking goddess in movie history, rather than a pouty, sulky catwalk model. LOL

Have fun.

Cheers

Louise