Pregnancy and Birth after prolapse-- my story

I posted this about a month ago, but with my computer problems it was posted in the old forum never to be seen...

Everyone's experiences are different of course, but I'd like to share mine as a source of hope and encouragement. My first daughter was born in 2000 via c/section. I had always had some issue with bm's and didn't have the greatest diet. I did not want to undergo the knife again so I researched natural childbirth and discovered my local hospital would force me to have a repeat c/s if I went there so I decided on homebirth--which was not something I ever thought I would do. But through all of my research I trusted in my body's ability to birth a child without being interupted impatient and rude nurses or doctors and I trusted my midwives to be in tune to a laboring woman and know danger signs. I also knew that being less than five minutes from my local hospital that I would get as quick of medical attention as if I were actually in the hospital since even "emergency" c/s usually happen 30 minutes after the doctor decides it's an emergency. so all that being said, I had a gentle homebirth and then I discovered I prolapsed and I was devastated. All three of my organs dropped and there seemed no hope. I was terrified of getting pregnant again even though I wanted a large family.

Well as God would have it I got pregnant unexpectedly, just as my body was starting to feel normal again. I was afraid and then I found Christine's site. I held the posture until my growing body could do it no longer and I walked daily strengthening all those muscles. I had another awesome homebirth that was so gentle and wonderful. I beleive around 8 weeks postpartum I felt low again, but it was nothing compared to after my second birth and today I hardly notice the prolapse. IF I do not take care to get enough fiber, I suffer for it with the rectocele. And every month when my period hits I get a slight panic attack because when I feel the moisture (before I know I've started) a thought goes through my mind that it's prolapse--but then when I go to the restroom I discover it's moisture and not organs.

I would not hesitate to get pregnant and have birth again. I am not afraid of prolapse or its worsening. Even if it did the joy of a baby is worth it. What causes me to hesistate is wondering if my three children now would get enough attention and if we can afford it (because I'd love to go part-time).

We all have to take the power of knowledge in our own hands. I thought perhaps I should have a c/s with baby 3 to avoid further prolapse, but thanks to the information Christine provided me, the sites I researched, etc. I beleived that my chances were very good for a natural birth in my home again. And it was the most wonderful experience. It was so nice to be in my own clothes and in my own bed to snuggle my minutes-old newborn. And recovery was so much easier than that after a surgical birth.

By the way, I will press this point forever-- the body goes through great trauma during pregnancy and birth (regardless of the type) and it needs rest and recovery afterwards. I hired help for after the birth of my 3rd. She helped care for the older children and took care of the housework while I snuggled in bed for two weeks with my precious new one. My husband joked that my pajamas could probably stand up on their own because I stayed in them for the first week after his birth, but it was a powerful reminder to me and the rest of the world that I was in recovery mode.