I think I did this to myself

Submitted by zubie on September 9, 2009 - 11:27am
Body: 

I lifted heavy things throughout my pregnancy, had a job in which I was on my feet all day...
I found my prolapse at 3 weeks postpartum my cervix was right at the opening of my vagina. Now at almost 13 months postpartum things are more where they should be but things are still lower than they should be and I am still in pain. Sex is painful, walking around and being an active mom of 2 I just feel uncomfortable in my uterus throughout the day. I am seeking out Physical Therapy with bio feed back (does anyone recommend this or have any advice?) I am trying to learn how to do kegels also. But is there anything else that I can do on top of these things? I order the whole woman, don't have it yet though.

I also really want to have another baby and I want to prepare my body as best as I can for this. I want to strengthen my whole body. Can anyone please tell me what exercises I can do for my tummy, butt, legs and arms that will not put added strain on my prolapse? I want to get fit, I want to strengthen my pelvic floor and surrounding muscles so that I can go on to have another pregnancy and prevent as much strain on my body as possible so that hopefully the prolapse won't get worse or maybe be as bad as it was after having my second baby.

louiseds

September 9, 2009 - 8:41pm

Hi Zubie

The most important thing for you to do is get your posture organised. See the FAQ's on the www.wholewoman.com, and use this until you get the book, which has more detail about posture and the why's and wherefore's of it. The book has a very good ballet workout in words and pictures with accompanying music on CD, which will help with muscle strength around the pelvic area; and the DVD which has another, more recent workout with video. Both are relevant. Posture is the most powerful tool we all have.

It is very easy to blame yourself for this, but many women do just what you did during pregancy and have no ill effects from it. Many women have postpartum prolapse. It's just that most of us don't look. In my childbearing days there was no such word as PP prolapse, so there was no point in looking for it. There is still no point in looking for it. It is just too scary, and often goes away by itself. Like all of us, somehow we have ended up with prolapse of longer or permanent duration, and have to deal with it for the rest of our lives. That's not so bad. You will still get reversion for at least another year, and more subtle firming up on the inside after that. You won't be like this for ever. Do not blame yourself. Whatever has happened has happened, whether by your doing or not. It's not so bad. You can adapt, deal with it and have a life.

Cheers

Louise

lyricmama

September 9, 2009 - 10:17pm

Hi Zubie,
Congratulations on your new baby and welcome to wholewoman! Like Louise said, the most important thing you learn is the posture. At first it may be very difficult, but after a few weeks it'll become second nature. It sounds like you are ready to be very proactive about your recovery. Good for you! Please don't waste any time blaming yourself for this. You didn't do anything wrong. All you need to do now is look towards the future. And the good news is, in the future your uterus will be much higher. After I had my baby 8 mos ago I noticed a rectocele and a very low cervix (maybe a few centimeters from the opening). Now, my uterus is back where it always was! I do have occasional discomfort from my rectocele, but only when I don't eat properly. This isn't a life sentence. WIth a few small adjustments in your posture and lifestyle you will have a remarkable recovery.
Lyricmama

zubie

September 9, 2009 - 11:56pm

Can I ask how old your baby is now lyricmama? (just went back and re-read) Is your baby 8 months or you found your prolapse 8 months ago?

I am scared of getting pregnant again too soon and not letting my body heal enough, but I had planned on already being pregnant or getting pregnant before Jan. of 2010. Is this now an unrealistic plan? should I hold off another year? I really want another baby, but I also really want to be an active mom and person and if waiting will help with that... then that is what I will do. I just wish I knew what I should do.

kiki

September 10, 2009 - 12:23am

HI Zubie,
As has been said, your body will change so much with this work! The book is amazing, but if you can I'd get the DVD too--it really helps to be able to see it, and i really like watching exercises as i go. (it gives me friends to do it with!).

I found that my healing didn't really plateau for about 2 years. Even then, i was still healing. Only you can decide about when is right for the next baby. Lots of women here have gone on to have more children. Many have waited till they felt their bodies were really strong and stable before going on, but others have found themselves pregnant before they expected. Use the search box to scan through posts and you can read about their experiences--but know that with the posture and the exercises, the post pop baby stories are happy ones ;-) But maybe just think through ahead what support you can get to really ensure you can do some looking after you and your body, especially if you don't feel like running around (though who does at 8 months preg!)

Know that Kegels are not everything they are said to be and too many can actually make things worse.
Look at Christine's blogs (see the menu on the far left, scan down) for two blogs on Kegels, including how to do them in a way that is actually helpful.

I gotta run now, but keep posting and reading and let us know how you get on!

Kiki

lyricmama

September 10, 2009 - 9:48am

Hi Zubie,
I discovered my prolapses when my baby was 4 weeks old, she is now 8 months. I plan on waiting a very long time to have another baby, but mostly for reasons other than my prolapses. I'm concerned that you are experiencing pain from your prolapse. It seems that most women here may be uncomfortable, but not in pain. What exactly are you feeling and where? You may be suffering because of something other than your prolapse.
Remember, women are supposed to give birth, not tuck in their butts!

lyricmama

September 10, 2009 - 9:50am

lots of ladies here have been pregnant with prolapses. None of them seem any worse for it!

alemama

September 11, 2009 - 9:53pm

before baby #4 I worked so hard to get my entire body strong. I did bikram yoga (modified of course) and I loved it. I also had this ridiculous plan to only gain 15lbs. Ha what a joke that was- but I reasoned that the less weight on my body the better. I gained 15lbs in the first 2 months :) but ended up at about 25 just like the previous 3 pregnancies.
I am 5 months postpartum now and still recovering. I tore again and that was a real bummer- but I don't think my prolapse is any worse than it was at 5 months postpartum for the 3rd birth.
The pregnancy was great prolapse wise- and the delivery was great too- no problem with the prolapse at all.
Our bodies are made to give birth multiple times! We are fertile for about half our lives- don't worry too much about it- get into the posture and you will find you can do just about anything you want.