prevention during pregnancy

Submitted by fullofgrace on April 24, 2004 - 9:45am
Body: 

I discovered that all my organs prolapsed after the birth of my second daugther almost two years ago and I was absolutely devistated. Add that discovery with trying to adjust to two children, raging hormones, and staying home full-time after working full-time and I was one depresed puppy. My first child was born via c/s and I had a gentle homebirth where I squatted to deliver my second child. I had no idea prolapse even existed. I was doubly shocked that I had had such a gentle birth and ended up in such a condition.

I hardly notice the prolapse and though no one formally diagnosed me, I think it is mild. I became unexpectantly pregnant in February and I want to do whatever is possible to prevent prolapse for getting any worse. I even have this strange notion that if I do everything "right" that this pregnancy may even put the organs back into their original place. Though I'm not sure what "right" is. I order the feminine personal trainer which is 1 lb. weight to do kegals with. I thought this helped-- thought I see you aren't recommending kegals. Is there any danger of harm if I keep using this?

I will be ordering the book and I am very interested in the postures. For sometime I thought correct posture was pulling in my buttocks making my back flat and pull in my stomach. Am I understanding it right that that posture is actually centering my pelvic organs over my vaginal opening making it easier for them "fall" down? So by sort of pushing my buttocks out and having an arch in my back I am causing my pelvis to point down to the ground placing my pelvic organs over the pelvic bone which stops them from descending? Should I not be sucking my stomach in, just let it hang out?

As I said earlier I delviered my second baby in a squatting position. I'm trying to investigate what position might cause the least strain, with the most support for my pelvic organs and I'm wondeirng if delivering in a hands and knees position might not be good because the organs would fall in front of the pelvis. Is there anything physiologically wrong in my assumption? Though I know at the time I'll go with what my body dictates so I'm not sure if I'll be able to deliver in that position or not.

Two years ago the only support site I found was all about having surgery and women who'd undergone it and were going to and it was very depressing because there didn't seem to be much success, but all these ladies were marching toward the diving board and jumping into this pit of Non-solution anyway...Thank you for providing something that empowers the woman to take charge.
Jane

p.s. the download for the two chapters won't work, and I couldn't download postures or pregnancy or subscribe to the newletter-- it kept saying "badness" ????

Christine

April 24, 2004 - 11:28am

Welcome Jane,

I am so happy to receive your message, as it is filled with the hope and perspective of a very powerful and intuitive woman. I'll try to help you with what I know and so hope you will stay with us as your body teaches you over the coming months and years truths to share with us all.

The posture: really study the download. The belly is neither sucked in or hanging out. It is in a perfect state of tension as you are holding your navel over your pubic bone. Your lumbar spine will curve...balance this by keeping your shoulders down, your back broad, and your head stretched up and forward by slightly tucking your chin.

I have had the same thought as you when answering women like Tracy and Amy who are very concerned about how delivery will affect their prolapse. I have thought that a really healthful labor and delivery including the best possible diet throughout could not put me at risk for a more serious condition than I have now. I just "know" that I would be able to return to my "baseline" after the birth. There is nothing that would change dramatically. Yes, my whole pelvic area would be stretched, but we are designed to return to a healthful baseline. I just can't believe it would be much different than what you started with and, yes, like you I have even entertained the possibility that it could improve with an intelligent pregnancy. I think the hands and knees would be great, but most important will be a relaxed outlook and the choice to take whatever position feels right at the time. If you think the kegels are helping, continue, but remember that we are trying to pull the tailbone up, not drag it down.

There is a "trigone" at the base of the bladder. This trigone is a plexus of nerves that serves a broad area, kind of like a major highway intersection. When this is dissected, we lose a large amount of innervation to the uterus, bladder, clitoris, and surrounding ligamentous support structures. This is a major reason why these surgeries are so very ill-conceived.

Please read the pregnancy books on my reading list. We really need the experience of women like you who are ready to trust in the intelligence of their body and go forth with strength and faith. There are two other expecting moms here and I so hope you can support one another.

I just called to have someone check the downloads????

I have such hope for you and am indeed

Wishing you (and baby) well,

Christine

fullofgrace

April 24, 2004 - 12:12pm

Christine,
Thank you for affirming my intuition and assertion to care for myself. I have come to be thankful for my unecessary c/s because I never would have searched out alternatives, never would have begun to question the wisdom of doctors, never would have had the glorious homebirth experience.

I studied Elizabeth Nobel's book Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year and she addresses prolapse. I thought this book would be my salvation during this pregnancy, however, she reaffirms my old posture and kegals, and even talks of surgery to correct prolapse. So you are stretching my way of thinking and I am questioning even the new knowledge I thought was the answer.

During my last pregnancy I devoured 2 of Henci Goers books-- one of which is on your list. My midwives have a library and I believe that at least Ina May Gaskins book is in it. I'll have to borrow that and see what others they have. This first trimester my diet has been more than questionable with the naseua. I have about two weeks left before these symptoms will let loose. I am a teacher and there are only 6 more weeks of school until summer vacation, so I am hopeful I will have a good 10 weeks of rest and self-care.

Thank you for searching for alternatives and sharing them. I will share my journey as I go as much as time will permit. Thanks again for your encouragement.
Jane

DOWNLOADs
I was able to get the 2 chapters download after trying about 4 times last night and twice today. About 5 minutes ago I clicked it again and viola! it opened immediately. When I enter in my e-mail address and I'm certain it's correct, it's not letting me sign up for the pregnancy or the posture download. A page opens that say Formail Badness!The same thing happens when I try to sign up for the newsletter.

Christine

April 24, 2004 - 12:20pm

Hi Jane!

Could you call the Bridgeworks office in about a half hour (Lanny is eating lunch) and he will help you more directly figure out the downloads (phone # is in his post below.)

Hope-fully,

Christine

fullofgrace

April 24, 2004 - 2:16pm

Download problem solved! Got the downloads and heading toward a bath to read them. Thanks! I have spent nearly 6 hours reading on this site today and I have graduate coursework due! YIKES! I have learned so much. Wish they'd give me graduate credit for this study. ;) I am very much looking forward to my summer break to investigate all of this more. I will probably order 3 books: 1 for me, 1 for my midwives, and 1 for the dr. who will assist me should we encounter a problem for the birth and who I will probably make by gyn. since she is so open to women making their own choices about birth that she's willing to help in the event of a problem.

I've been studying my two daughters: 2 and 4 yrs and their posture is much as you've described. I'm going to try to follow their example. They sit on the floor a lot, too and I've found since becoming pregnant again that it is most comfortable to sit on the floor.

Thanks again for all the support!

Jane