Rectocele Prolapse

Dear Eve,

Yes, the pessary will probably not help much.

Your rectocele may have been exacerbated by other factors, but more likely than not it is a result of a lifetime of sitting back in comfortable chairs with your knees higher than your bottom. When we do this the great forces of intraabdominal energies, created in our lungs every time we take a breath, are striking that exact place where your rectocele is bulging. The great majority of women stand (go sit on a bench at a shopping center and see this for yourself) with a very flat lower back, hunched upper back, and hyperextended knees. That position, too, is directing those energies through a destructive pathway...literally blowing our organs out of our body instead of pinning them in as our original design provides for.

Really the only reasonable thing to do is to begin to sit and stand in ways that uphold our natural design. I have described how to do this in the posture download. This is not an "exercise" that we can do occassionally, but rather mindfulness training in how we sit and how we stand everytime we are on our feet. It is tiring at first and I urge women to rest from the postures whenever they feel the need to. The posture also provides many benefits as it realigns the entire musculoskeletal system and removes other negative energies from arms, feet, hips, etc.

We have provided evidence here that with the posture mild cases of prolapse can completely reverse and more severe cases can improve and stabilize. You will see this for yourself as you begin to work with your own body. Good food and a healthy bowel are critical as well.

I hope this helps, Eve, and please feel free to ask anything you like after you read through all the material here at the site.

Wishing you well,

Christine

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EVE MY NAME IS DONNA LISTEN TO CHRISTENE I HAD NO ONE TO HELP ME MY DOCTORS SAID SAME THING NOW I HAVE VERY PAINFUL RECTOCELE PROLAPSE DON'T LIFT ANYTHING HEAVY AND WALK AS MUCH AS YOU CAN DON'T OVERDO BUT PLEASE LIFT NOTHING HEAVY AND ONLY LIGHT EXCERCISES NO STRAINING YOU CAN E-MAIL ME AND I WILL TELL OF WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW THANKS DONNA

Thank you very much, Donna, for your words of wisdom. We all need the support of each other and I'm very appreciative of your reaching out.

Note:

Donna experienced a complete prolapse (procidentia) with the birth of her last child, after which she underwent total hysterectomy with some sort of suspension. I believe all normal activities can and should be carried out (including lifting and exercise) with simple prolapse, providing proper body mechanics are observed and supported by quality rest.

Ugh! This was not something I wanted to read while expecting. Can I prevent this from happening? After having mild prolapse the last time, I was afraid to get pregnant again, but God had other plans... and I ended up that way anyway. :) I so don't want to have this fear because I don't want it to interfere with labor. The midwife said we'll be careful during the second stage by being more passive, but ugh!
Jane

Hi Jane,

Read The Labor Progress Handbook. I believe if you're well prepared mentally/emotionall/physically you'll do just fine. We're so very protected against rectocele (the rectovaginal septum is the strongest sheet of connective tissue in the body), but need the help of natural forces like gravity to stay protected. If you're worried about the total uterine prolapse, that's an extreme rarity. Remember that all living is risky! No ughs!!!

;-) Christine

Thanks Christine. I'll stop ughing...now I'm laughing. :) I see my midwives Tues. I'll see if it is in their library if not I'll get it off amazon. I love your affirmations that our design is not flawed. Everything else I've read about prolapse blames it on the design, standing upright, gravity, etc. But your assertions that the design and gravity work together is so encouraging. The other is so hopeless. I want you to know that your posture has made all of my sitting uncomfortable-- all my sitting on furniture that is, unless it is a hardbottom chair that I am to hold myself in the posture on. My van seat is the worst! I get a waterbottle at work everyday, so on my drive to pick up my daughters I put it behind to support my lumbar. Here's an interesting site I got from one of the ladies on my homebirth group: C:\My Documents\Health\pregnancy\Mother's Postures Matter.htm It seems to go along with your posture. Thanks so much for your work. I wish this site had been here two years ago when the symptoms first appeared. I was so devistated and could only find sites for surgery. The very thing I wanted to avoid (surgery) by having a homebirth seemed to be the very thing that would happen to me (suspesion surgery) and it was clear from the stories that it probably wouldn't be successful. I am so grateful for the hope and the reassurances. Thanks again.

We're all in this together, Jane. I hope you can come to the conference! There's so much more to share and learn. I hear you about the furniture!! I have my grandparent's antiques, which are completely miserable, but of course they're completely beautiful and filled with nostalgia. I have "furniture design" going in the back of my mind, however, and when I can I need to ditch these and figure out a better way.

Christine

Victoria

Hello Everyone, My name is Victoria and I am new to the forum. I am 56 and have recently be diagnoised with Rectocele. I had a complete hysterectomy several years ago. I had a severe weight problem. I was 264 pounds, 5'3" and had gastric by-pass surgery 3 years ago. I lost a total of 65 pounds and have not been able to lose another pound. I'm so disappointed and depressed over that. I guess I expected a miracle. Although, I have not gained any weight back with the exception of occasional waterr weight. I know that I need to walk and exercise more and I have been praying for the strength to start that. I can give hundred of excuses why I don't have time, but I know in my heart that I could make the time. I have to support groups that I attend and I don't have a friend that would walk with me. Can anyone help?

Victoria

Hi Victoria,

I am 37 and have a rectocele, as well as a cystocele and uterine prolapse. Walking, even if you have to go out by yourself, is probably one of the best things you can do for the rectocele. If you accompany it with fiber and water it will help keep your bowels regular. I am finding that my rectocele is always worse when I'm not working at staying regular or when I go to extremes (too firm or too loose). I hate exercise and I too, find every reason to avoid it. But, I truly do know that walking helps keep the bowels moving normally, and that in turn will help the rectocele.

I am also overweight and have joined Weight Watchers to help me. I need to lose about 60 lbs. I am convinced that losing the weight will also help my pelvic issues.

My suggestion would be to perhaps get a treadmill. You can put it so that you can watch tv while walking. It's always easier to walk with a buddy, but it's not always possible. The important thing is to do it anyway.

There is a lot of support here and you will find others who have similar issues. Please don't give up.

Holly

Hello, Victoria, and Welcome,

When I was called to do this work, I had no idea the range of issues we would be visited with! Post-surgery cases are beyond my area of expertise, but I somehow feel obligated to respond to everyone who takes the time to write in good faith. I always try to give my very best answers from my heart and if they sometimes offend

Hi Victoria,

Congratulations on the weight that you have managed to shed.

I have always tried to remember when I've fallen out of my exercise routine that energy begets energy. The more you exercise the more your body will want to and be able to. Just that first push is the hardest.

You can do it. The first step is believing you can (I believe you can for what that's worth), try not to put yourself down for what you don't do, think positive - remind yourself of all the good that will come from it. Imagine it happening, maybe before you go to sleep visualize waking early enough and with enough energy to get up and do it.

As for the company on the walk if you can't find a willing partner, maybe a walkman (do they still call them that?) with music or books on tape.

Remember to check back here for inspiration and to let us know of your progress!

All the best,
Kelly