Time between pregnancies

Body: 

I had a baby 8 months ago and have a cystocele (with minor symptoms) and a mild uterine prolapse (undiagnosed to date). Have seen GP and physio and have been given advice such as no lifting, resting when possible, kegels etc. I would like to have another baby at some point but can't seem to get any advice on sensible time gaps between pregnancies/babies. Has anyone any advice to offer and does anyone have experience of an obstetrician offering a c-section to preserve pelvic floor function?

perhaps 3 years between pregnancies would be best. I felt amazing at about 18 months postpartum with my prolapse. So.....I want close spaces between my kids and I figured I felt amazing I could go ahead and get pregnant again. This pregnancy has been simple and straight forward- my prolapse has behaved beautifully. However, I know postpartum my prolapse will take another 18 months or so to get to it's pre-pregnant state and I wish sometimes that I had spent another 18 months just enjoying my healing and maybe getting even better.
my first two were 19 months apart- the next space was 2 years and this space upcoming will be 2.5 years.
My desire to have a big family and my faith that my body will heal well overrules my desire to have a perfect vagina. I guess I kinda figure when I am done I have the rest of my life to heal.
I may change my mind if my pp recovery this time is not as good as the last time.
So if you are not in a big hury- take the time you need to feel AMAZING and then double it!

Hi Zf

As I assume you have already given birth vaginally I would think that the stretching has been done. I would also think that opting for a CS would be shutting the door after the horse has bolted. A CS may save the PF from being stretched again but it will also (I think) leave permanent sutures in your uterus, and damage the fascia around the uterus, as it needs to be cut during CS, then sutured when it is floppy. This will leave scar tissue in your pelvic cavity which will probably prevent your uterus and bladder from moving around naturally. My thinking processes tell me this could worsen POP later, but I have no facts to back that up. The Creator designed us to birth vaginally.

As you are only 8 mo pp you can expect lots of further recovery still. I think the doctor is a bit presumptuous as your body has not yet recovered from the first pregnancy/labour/birth. I think maybe s/he is just quantifying your "POP" for the records, rather than telling you that you have a problem that needs fixing, or that it will never get better. I hope so, anyway.

I would go with Alemama's three years or perhaps a little less. That is what natural breastfeeding seems to produce, babies every two to three years. I certainly wouldn't try for sooner. Then you can allow each baby to be a baby, and not hurry them on so they are at a similar stage to the previous toddler, or miss out on experienceing every one of their stages cos you are just too tired and busy to enjoy them. don't hurry it. Smell the roses.

Getting into WW posture, leaving your belly room to move, eating properly, exercising appropriately and birthing well is what will prevent your POP's from developing further.

Cheers

Louise

my babies were spaced 2 years, 2.5 years and 3.5 years apart. I have to say it was definitely easier to have a larger gap. that said, its all good. sometimes its easier to parent kids closer in age (my friends with four kids, all 3-4 years apart have a harder time planning family outings or family dinners).

and there's no way I would choose a c/s solely to prevent further pelvic 'floor' damage. first of all, there's no way to tell if it actually would prevent damage, and the risk of c/s is too great, imo, to outweigh the possible benefit.