postpartum prolapse?

Submitted by worried new mom on May 25, 2011 - 10:19pm
Body: 

Dear all,

I am new here and in need of advice.
I am the mother to a wonderful 9 month old girl. Long labor, pushed for over two hours, no tearing and otherwise uncomplicated birth and pregnancy (except the fact that my daughter aspirated fluid into lungs, could not breath when she came out, was taken from me and air lifted to children’s hospital, I thought she was dying, went into shock, hemorrhaged and needed a transfusion). The first week postpartum was chaotic and spent at children’s hospital without much rest.
About four weeks postpartum I looked “down there” with a mirror and was horrified. Went to midwife who said I am fine and need to Kegel. Also suggested PT as an option if I was worried. Wanting to do everything I could to ensure a speedy and effective recovery I started PT and continued for months. I also enrolled in weekly pilates classes. I have since sought the opinion of three OBGYNs and two nurse practitioners. I have been told by all that there is no prolapse and that things look normal for postpartum (except one who said mild rectocele). I have Christine’s book and dvd and have since stopped all pilates and PT. I have no incontinence or difficulty controlling other bodily functions. I cannot tell if this is a mild prolapse or if things are just “saggy”. it feels as though my front vaginal wall is hanging out a little. Some OBs seem to think the condition may improve when I stop nursing but others have said I have plenty of estrogen in the tissue so why would nursing make a difference?

My two primary concerns:

1) I am left with a feeling like something is hanging out a little, as though a tampon is not all the way in. This sensation gets better and worse sometimes and gone when I lay down. Is this something that might get better when I stop nursing? Other than more moisture / estrogen, does some vaginal tone return after one stops nursing? Do things feel more lifted or tighter again?
2) Things looks so different. I have been told that it is the “neck of my bladder” and hymen remnants/tags. I never saw this before. I also think it could be ruggae but cannot tell. Does anyone know if this gets better, heals, goes back inside after more time passes postpartum?
3) Do you think if I have another child this may get worse?
4) If this is not a prolapse and things are just a little saggy do you think Kegels (the right way) would help?

I cannot tell you how much time in each day is consumed with worry about all of this. I so appreciate your advice.

kiwigirl

May 26, 2011 - 6:13am

Hi worried new mom, and congratulations too :-) I just wanted to leave a message for you until the more experienced ladies here can offer help.I have read enough posts here though to know that they say it takes 2 years for one's body to recover after pregnancy, despite what we are usually told about being back to normal in such and such time.And now I have 3 adult children and can look back I would agree with that.I also breast fed for a long time, and I think it took quite a lot longer after my last,for me to get back to my normal .I've probably had the signs of POP for much longer than I first realized.
So back to answer a little of what concerns you.Avoid heavy lifting, look at Christine's posture,dvd and book- eat healthily, but also know it takes awhile for the body to recover fully after birth.Be kind to yourself, there's every good chance with it being your first and youth on your side you will see great improvement over the next year or so.And get plenty advice from here once others post replies.There's a few regular posters who have gone on to have more children after their POP with no dire consequences.
kegels aren't seen to be of help here, Put the key word for what you are looking for in the search box and see what others have written.eg put in- Kegels-.personally I was doing heaps of them, and had been told many times to do them, the easy answer for those who have not experienced POP!!! they did not help me, although I may have been doing too many. I bought a kegelmaster to help and found I felt worse after a few months not better,.I am thinking of doing just say 10 a day. But read here what position Christine suggests for doing them in, as being of most value with POP.
Relax now and enjoy your baby :-) and get plenty of rest.Read as much on here as you have time for, it all helps.keep asking questions if you don't understand, someone will answer eventually.All the best.

louiseds

May 27, 2011 - 3:15am

You probably have lovely boob, being a nursing mum. Lifting them for the world to see will stretch your tummy muscles tighter because they are attached to the bottom of your rib cage, which you have to lift high to lift your boobs. This will make your tummy come in a bit without your holding it in. It will also tilt your pelvis forward slightly, and roll your bladder and uterus forwards, and onto the firm boney pelvic bones, so they will no longer be hanging back over your vagina.

You just need to be patient and keep your bladder and uterus forwards while your body is reverting to pre-pregnancy on the inside.

Louise

Sammy

June 8, 2011 - 5:09am

Hi Louiseds:
I am trying to get better at posture. Is it correct if i were to focus in standing and walking to keep my breasts as far from my navel as i can/
I really need some simple understanding of this. thanks.

csf

June 8, 2011 - 9:03am

Sammy,

Yes it's kind of like that. I picture raising the part of me that's right below my breasts in the middle there, UP. Know how they always say there are two muscles that run straight up your front and that they are like two suspenders next to each other that go right down to your lower abdomen? I picture THOSE muscles - and raising them. As if pulling them taut. As if I am pulling my suspenders tight - by pulling UP on the suspenders. My chest automatically raises when I try to pull up right under my breasts. It does feel a little bit like getting that area AWAY from my navel, sure, I can imagine describing it that way.

If you have not figured it out, seriously try experimenting and reading and rereading people's descriptions here. I did it that first day. (And still concentrate a bit when i am in an odd position I haven't been in before. Or when washing my hair for example, or picking up the garbage outside. I have to THINK how to maintain the posture then. Otherwise it's automatic ever since day one here. It's soooooo key to getting your comfort level back. I truly think the posture is correct and I even feel "safe" in posture. Remember, I don't even use a pessary anymore!!!! No need! THAT'S success!!).

Def helps, I believe, to experiment with the mirror if you aren't sure. Try standing without clothes and with clothes in front of the mirror. And get the dvd. look for the girl in the yellow leotard and tights and compare your own posture to hers. That's how I did it that first day. I copy what she does, picturing the fact I am trying to get my organs to rest over the pelvic bone.

Louise's description of the opening opening up inside us really helped. You want the organs FORWARD of the place where that opening would open if it were to. I have gotten a really, really good sense for when that opening could happen and I avoid it at all costs.

Bathroom? LEAN FORWARD. Getting up? Use your arms - so you're not accidentally doing a sit up type of maneuver.

These are all just my thoughts/experiences. Take the advice of Christine, Louise, Doubtful, Granolamom, Alemama, etc over any advice from me. This is just what it feels like to me. And I pass it on because I feel so terrific and so completely symptom free. I even lifted today and yesterday when I had to and feel strong and good the next day. Everything is in place. Zero complaints! : ) Lift below your breasts. Shoulders down, relaxed, always make sure your lumbar curve is allowed to be there (not flat) - it is key - and it somehow results in your lower abdomen being RELAXED. Unclench downstairs if you feel yourself tightening up. The posture is actually relaxing, you just have to remember to pull up (in other words, do the opposite of slouching ! Dont' let your chest cave into your abdominal area! Like don't let your diagphragm area kind of crush down on your organs. Picture yourself pulling up TO GIVE ROOM to the organs below.

louiseds

June 8, 2011 - 8:01pm

That is what it ends up like, Sammy. However, the adjustments to weight distribution on the feet, what happens at the knees, the pelvis, the lower back, the shoulders and the head, and all the muscles that control them, get you to that position, where your whole body feels relaxed and balanced.