? about what my ob said....

I was told that I can run as well by my gyn & a urogyn that I saw. When exercising, just listen to your body.

- Lilly Anne

I was told that I can run as well by my gyn & a urogyn that I saw. When exercising, just listen to your body.

- Lilly Anne

Hi Denise

No, I don't really understand what she meant either. It might be a case of Chinese Whispers. Your baby was born about 4 months ago, right? Your body could still be shrinking back to its pre-pregnant state for maybe another 12 months, so don't think you have reached 'as good as it gets' yet. Your body will probably still heal a bit all by itself.

I am just wondering what position you were in when she examined you? When you are lying on your back with your legs up your pelvis is tilted backwards so the pelvic floor is quite loose. Then you strain, and anything that will move towards the outside will! Your pelvis is in a similar position when you sit on a chair and spread your legs. I would think it would be possible for almost any young, flexible woman 4 months post partum to see the entrance to the urethra with a bit of effort.

On the other hand I can see that it is bothering you, and you are just trying to make sense of what the Ob has said.

The only position to assess the reality of what prolapses are doing is to do it standing. Just have a feel around for yourself with your fingers, both with the pelvis tipped backwards (like you are peeing standing up and want to see how far out the front you can pee!) and pelvis tipped forwards a bit (as in Wholewoman posture). The pictures you see of vulvas and prolapses are not much use either, as they are all taken lying down and straining too!

Keep your fingers in your vagina and tilt you pelvis backwards and forwards and feel how the different organs move around. You should be able to feel the squishy bladder through the anterior wall, the firmer donut like cervix poking down from near the top, and maybe the rectum through the posterior wall. I get the feeling that every prolapse is a bit different, depending on which bits of fascial support have been damaged. It is possible that the posterior wall of the vagina has become separated from the fascia between it and the rectum, and that it is lower than the rectum and pulling the anterior wall with it when you strain for the doctor. However it is also possible that there is some anterior wall damage as well that the doctor didn't detect. I guess if you think your bladder is no longer supported properly, then it is not. You are the one who can examine it several times a day in different positions and maybe even know what it was like pre-pregnancy.

It probably doesn't matter a lot in practice what has fallen. What is important is that you get your posture right (sitting, standing, walking, running, sneezing etc), eat right, exercise right and wear clothes that don't compress your belly. That is what will help to heal damage and help to prevent further damage.

Another doctor might tell you a different diagnosis. That happens quite a bit.

Sorry, but I am not a runner, but I can run when I have to without too much leakage. I'm trying to slow my life down these days, and running doesn't appeal to me much as a form of exercise, but there are some runners on the Forum. I am sure they will chime in.

BTW, Christine is away for a few days so she may not answer until late next week. She will be able to clarify the anatomy question better than I can.

Cheers

Louise

'because you had your babies at home'???!!!

I don't even know where to begin addressing such ignorance.
but unfortunately I come up against that type often, drs seem to really believe that having a homebirth is so unsafe and risky, it is ***obviously*** the reason X,Y, or Z has gone wrong.

now, this is the thing, torn muscles heal with scar tissue. that's just what they do. if a small tear is allowed to heal on its own, the chances that you will end up with minimal scarring is good. a large tear may or may not need stitches, which DO increase the likelihood that you will have pain, infection, and excessive scarring. is stitching sometimes necessary? YES, of course. is stitching always necesseray when it is done in the hospital? my guess is not. its one of those things that has to do with the philosophy and experience level of your practitioner.

so is your prolapse due to the fact that you birthed at home?
I highly doubt it. due to the birth, maybe. and oftentimes the baby's descent is what tears the underlying support layers and results in a cystocele. that's pretty well illustrated in the book.

sorry if I let my panties get up in a bunch, but I hate hate hate being lectured and talked down to on account of my homebirths.

Hi Denise

I think it is not lying down, as such, that is damaging. After all, missionary position is a pretty comfy position for both partners, as long as the woman doesn't get squashed! I must admit though, that I sometimes get a similar sensation. It alll feels very mobile in there. It doesn't bother DH though. I think it is probably the penis pressing on the rectum, but it doesn't happen every time. With a rectocele the fascia betweens the vagina and the rectum is damaged or has holes in it, so it makes sense to me that the nerves in the bowel would feel the pressure more than they would otherwise. I wouldn't worry about it too much. You could try a little pillow under your lumbar curve. I find that kind of changes the sensation. It also tightens the pelvic floor muscles a little which can be quite pleasurable for both partners.

Just think of DH's penis as a big fat pessary, and think of his body as a big warm support garment, then I think you'll feel more confident about being on your back. ;-)

I don't think most of this stuff is in the book. That's where the Forum is very useful. It is real woman to woman stuff. We all learn from each other. What the book gives you is explanations about how the pelvic area works. Lots of illustrations, explanations etc. (among other things). A lot of things will make sense once you have read it. I have been doing all this stuff for three years now and I still go back to the book and reread different sections. Some of it gets pretty complicated, and I am a woman with a simple mind. I have had to understand it bit by bit.

Cheers

Louise