universal prolapse - my story

Hi Ornella,

Thanks so much for sharing your story. It is our daughters and their daughters who will benefit from all we have learned, as they will understand the best ways in which to support their own anatomy. It sounds like your natural female mind led you to many good answers for your condition.

This has been a work in progress, Ornella, as our longer-time members know. I was onto the posture when I wrote STWW, but didn't have a complete understanding of the issues, nor the languaging. Something like "stick out your butt" is not quite the concept! :-)

What I've since learned from working much more intensively in my studio is that we have indeed discovered something very important that will have far-reaching affects for women's health. This knowledge needs to be communicated much more effectively, however, so I guess a replacement video is in order asap.

In response to your dance question, the movement I am promoting has the grounding quality of belly dance and the upper body quality of ballet. Much moreso than men, women are split in two with our center of gravity at the top of the sacrum as dividing line. Our bottom half (buttocks and thighs) needs to be very strong and our upper half very flexible.

In the "healing stand", the bottom of the rib cage is pulled up and in, squeezing our abdominals, while the upper back and neck are held as described. All of the descriptions I've given have been in an effort to move women into the natural curvatures of their spine. Because of the way the individual vertebrae are shaped, the spine is actually elongated when its curves are present. Everything is pulled up in this way, including the pelvic organs.

I'm not extensively familiar with belly dance, but think there are some moves I might not want to do at this point, such as leaning back while shaking my hips. I focus on exercise and movement that keeps the bladder/uterus pushed toward the front. Not that those belly dance movements are intrinsically bad, just maybe not great for the already prolapsed woman. The pelvic diaphragm co-contracts with the transverse abdominal muscles, so if the organs are being held in an optimal way, there shouldn't have to be an inordinate amount of focus on contracting the levator ani.

I love your spirit Ornella, and hope many women read your post. There is nothing we as prolapsed women cannot do (horseback riding is still in question) and I love to hear that your response was to sign up for a belly dance class.

:-)Christine

What are the symptoms of a cystocele and rectocele?

I am thinking of a last child - And it is the 'bulging out' that is making me scared.

I found your story amazing

I also found that overdoing the Kegels makes mine much worse - I reduced the amount and it is a bit better again...
Sue

Here is a link to an article that has some images. The cystocele looks like a pinkish reddish bulge, but the uterus has a "dimple" at the end that is the cervical os. That is probably the best way to tell what is exiting your body.

http://www.obgyn.net/urogyn/urogyn.asp?page=/urogyn/articles/miklos-vagprolapse#1

Anneh

Hi Ornella,

The organs prolapse in different ways depending upon how internal pressures work upon individual anatomy - nuances not well understood by anyone that I've come across. It is very common for all three organs to come down together - usually cystocele and rectocele leading the way. The cells of the cervix are much stretchier than those of the body of the uterus and it is indeed possible for the cervical neck to stretch way down to the vaginal opening while the body, or fundus, remains somewhat in position.

Christine

p.s. Incontinence of bowel and bladder should not be progressive symptoms associated with uncomplicated prolapse.

My Dr has never told me what type of Prolapse I have - Next time i feel it low i will definitely check for this dimple

OK i checked - lol

Would you call this 'dimple' like a tiny lil flap teensy weensy?>

If so then I have one of them lol
Sue

Is now not sure if she is right or wrong as nobody has replied...

lol

Sue

No message

Here's another illustration: http://findlaw.doereport.com/generateexhibit.php?ID=2575

Also...many practitioners will let you look at your cervix through a mirror during your exam.

I think things can change around. Maybe when the doctor looked at it, the uterus was lower; at other times, your bladder is lower. The cervix can be like a "flap" thing I suppose. After you have a child the cervix looks different than before you ever deliver a baby. Yes, it is freaky having to look at these things and figure them out.

Anneh

Hi;
Does anyone have a notion on swimming in chlorinated pool and in a hot tub (chlorinated) with a uterine prolapse (sorta in and out)?
Cathy

Hi: I have uterine prolapse and there's no doubt. The Os is centered in it--it is the hole the sperm goes into and the baby comes out of.
Cathy