New here, bit confused, 23 weeks preg with third

Submitted by Clicket on June 21, 2013 - 6:14pm
Body: 

Hi All,

I have been reading these forums the last couple of days, it was only by chance I came across this site on reading someone elses post on facebook. I didnt even realise I may have some kind of prolapse. I am 33 and Mum to 2 boys in Australia.

I am an anxious type, and worry even obsess on health issues, so when I started reading symptoms of a prolapse it was in Christine's list as skin protruding from the vagina, that is the only thing that made me get worried and I read further.

I had my first son naturally nearly 7 years ago and afterwards had a little skin on the posterior entrance, now pushed out a bit and made it protrude it looked like a little tongue. I thought, it must just be a part of childbirth. Then after my second son 4 years ago it stayed the same but I had some skin protruding at the anterior entrance. It hasn't changed since and the only problem I had was the appearance being a bit cosmetically different to before kids. I am 23 weeks pregnant with my third now so looking to start doing what I can to help my body.

So its been like it for years and now I am freaked out about it, seems wierd. Just I read so many stories around the net and it seems scary. I tend to be negative too and see the worst. I saw a Dr yesterday to have it checked and I had tried to do the self exam. I have a very mild Cystocele and Rectocele, I'm not sure about the cervix, it seems to sit normally and about 3 nearly 4 inches up, which is where I think it always was.

I dont know how much I should even be concerned about more invasive diagnosis as the Dr had a look but not a poke around. I dont like the idea of too much poking around down there while I'm pregnant. Probably now I just move forward with a positive attitude and do what I can.

That bring me to what I can and cant do, aaahhh. Hab-it, Katy Bowman and here all seems to have good advice but it all seems hard to put together let alone adapting it for pregnancy.deep squats yes or no, pelvic floor yes or no hehe. So asking for advice, where to from here?

I also just needed some positive as I get myself in a negative state and it effects my whole life and I retreat from my family and kids and obsess on the latest health worry, there have been many over the years and I realise the underling issue is anxiety and the 'what ifs' :). Getting to know myself better as I get older.

So thanks again in advance xox

Forum:

fab

June 21, 2013 - 8:42pm

The diagnosed rectocele as you would know is the rectum protruding into the vaginal wall, the tongue of skin you are talking about could be the beginning of rectal prolapse but I would not necessarily jump to that conclusion. Does it push out more when you defecate? I have a flap of skin attached to the anus which appeared with the final push and arrival of my second child. I felt it push out and there it has stayed. I thought at first it could be a haemorrhoid, but it has never given me any discomfort or bleeding or grown any larger. As it is, it just presents a bit of a mystery as to where it came from and the humour in it is that it is like a little stopper on a bottle, except of course it doesn’t stop anything.

As to deep squats. I think you will notice that Katy Bowman has a special way of doing deep squats which is more protective and a bit different from just doing deeps squats, however with pelvic organ prolapse we try to avoid any movement which will force the prolapse south. Squatting can do this especially once prolapse has occurred. If you are used to squatting and can squat comfortably without a downwards pull (which I am not and cannot) then of course it could be a different matter. However, if you are strong of leg and stomach and back and can manage to squat with your lumbar curve in place than it might be ok. So when I say ok there are a lot of provisos there which need to be taken into account.

Kegels as in treating sexual insensitivity or incontinence, we do not recommend. The reason being that WW sees the strengthening of all pelvic muscles as essential for the management of prolapse and not just a select few, in fact strengthening these muscles in isolation can prove counterproductive which women on this forum have confirmed. And again Kegels is not generally recommended for the treatment of prolapse. Christine has written extensively about Kegels in regards to pelvic organ prolapse on this site. Have a hunt around the library etc.

With two little boys and one on the way and at that 30ish stage of life, it is very natural and wise to look after your health as this is the one thing which if maintained makes carrying on a positive life force. The news media talk about the anxious well obsessing, but don’t fall for it. Check these things out, and then stop worrying in the knowledge you are doing the very best you can. You found you have two mild prolapses which all being well will resolve with time and I would encourage you to think seriously in terms of WWposture as a safeguard in this.

So finally this site is about correcting posture so that prolapsed pelvic organs can be trained back into their true positions. It sounds simple and straight forward, but regaining true feminine posture is tiring because our muscles and skeleton have grown accustomed to the way we hold ourselves wrongly and we began to hold ourselves wrongly because we found holding good posture tiring and so on around in circles. But once we realise the benefit of WWposture then we happily work long enough to break with old habits and recognise very quickly the benefits of the new posture.

How have you decided to birth baby three? Are you looking at standing, a stool, or all fours, or a water birth? Would love to hear.

Clicket

June 21, 2013 - 11:08pm

Hi Fab, thanks so much for your informative reply. Yes I plan to do some research and start doing what I can now that is safe during pregnancy.

The tounge of skin is just that fleshy skin. The rectecole bump sits up behind that and pushes it out a bit. I noticed it after my first as it was the spot that tore and was stitched. I never knew what or why it made a little fleshy tounge thing. I hated it for a long time and even did a little research into vaginaplasty. I am trying to come from a place of love an respect for my body now though and it doesnt bother me as much or hubby at all :) I did feel up inside when I defecate and it doesnt push out, buldge or change if that makes sense, as in its not actually my rectum making that piece of flesh. lol seems funny describing it. Hubby and I joke about it now.

I have been obsessing and feeling down there alot. I have had to stop myself today as it wont change anything and its the same as it was a week ago and a year ago and 2 years ago. I just know now, but I think that's a good thing as now I can be proactive and positive about it. The last couple of days I have struggled tho and even made two Dr appointments to get different opinions, the other isn't until next week, but it prob won't change anything as its just another opinion and it will be to do kegels.

I am interested in the correct positioning for getting things out of the front loaded, picking things up off the floor and sitting on the laptop etc, making the most of everyday activities and reducing strain on the area. What weight is safe to lift or is it more about how you do it? ie picking up my son, the washing, groceries.

I have just started looking into some birthing info and both of my boys were birthed on the bed but sitting up so there was prob alot of downward pressure onto the bowel and perineum area. I was thinking on all fours and familiarizing myself with other better postures and see what feels natural at the time. :)

Also I try to be healthy with diet, rest and exercise. I do walk but I stopped going to the gym. I do pre-natal yoga. After baby I planned to go back to the gym but I'll probably just have to modify things to my body I'm guessing.

Thanks so much xox

fab

June 21, 2013 - 11:33pm

Yes, the front loader is problematic. I had the machine put on a pedestal so that I don’t have to bend so far. Try to minimise the weights you lift (carry the groceries and washing in a number of trips if possible) and do so according to good ergonomic principles. When lifting your child bend down from the hips, not the waist, and you are more or less bending over your waist if you get what I mean. Then lift your child held close to your body. Or get down on your knees at child’s level and then lift from there if you have the strength enough in your legs to rise from there. Perhaps, to help with the obsessing you could rub a bit of vitamin E cream on it, a bit like a soothing band-aid for child within, not only will the skin be comforted but you know you are doing something good for it while you await your doctor’s appointment.

Clicket

June 22, 2013 - 12:29am

Hi Fab,

I am fine with kneeling down etc so might do the same with the front loader to load it and as you say the same with picking up the lil one, although I am doing it less anyway since I am pregnant and he is getting bigger. Just lots of cuddles instead. :). Would rubbing vitamin E cream on the prolapses help, I guess it wouldnt hurt :).

I have to immerse myself in the positives of life to stop obsessing :) I dont want this to just be the next thing in a list of health things I've worried about. I think another Dr's appointment might be a bad idea and I just move forward from here. I'm not sure. :).

I think I know what you mean about bending, that would mean keeping the back straight and using the knees more , yeah?

fab

June 22, 2013 - 1:30am

Cuddles of course are tops. You seem to have got it with the bending, but with your tummy growing it might come a bit harder so then the kneeling will of course come into its own. Vitamin E cream on prolapses is fine, we also recommend coconut oil or olive oil whichever you may have on hand. They not only are good lubricators but are somewhat soothing as well. Glad you are looking at different birth positions. When I went it was just assumed (universally in the west at any rate) that you gave birth laying down, now most hospitals in Oz are offering other options. It makes sense to check them out. Pre-natal yoga sounds fine. Later, you might have time to check out Christine's yoga. She has structured it around being able to do yoga poses in WWposture as you probably realised at some point with yoga, it was designed for men.
Anyway, whatever you decide about the doctor's apt, the best plan is to decide whichever way lies the less anxieties and enjoy that pregnancy.
good luck

Surviving60

June 22, 2013 - 2:05pm

Hi Clicket and welcome! Rectocele and cystocele together are the most common form of prolapse. They act like "nature's pessary" to keep the cervix more or less where it ought to be. Being pregnant, you will no doubt experience some changes both for better and for worse, at various stages. There are lots of moms here who have birthed multiple times after discovering prolapse, and are none the worse for wear - better in some cases. It is a great time for you to cultivate the posture. Then, when you are healing post-partum, your organs will already be starting to understand where you want them! Forward, in the relaxed lower belly. Oh to be young again, having babies, knowing what I know now. You have a great opportunity to nail this posture correction now, for which your hips, spine and pelvic organs will thank you later. Good luck with the birth! - Surviving

Clicket

June 22, 2013 - 6:43pm

Hi Surviving,

Thanks for your reply. I swing between feeling ok and feeling angry at myself for not knowing about this earlier. I am worried about it getting worse or the others getting better and something else falling down. I am finding what to actually do confusing still, do I do the WW posture or the one over at Hab-it, do i do a range of exercises? I wish I knew it all now so I could be confident with going forward. I dont want to be a drama queen. I have cried on and off and I wake up anxious about it. I want to help not make anything worse and especially for after the birth, is there hope that I can correct some of thats already 'headed south' so to speak? xox

Wantmylifeback

June 22, 2013 - 7:19pm

You r ahead of the curve! You already know about the WW posture! If you haven't already, it would be a great idea for you to read Christine's article about the dangers of "scheduled labor" n pushing before complete dialation! I found the article by going to the WW library n clicking resources tab then on Christine's articles! I don't know about hab it but I do know that everything you need to nurture your prolapse n your body!! The WW posture is excellent! You now have the tools to manage you prolapse so congratulations n I hope u find all the help you need!!

Wantmylifeback

June 22, 2013 - 7:22pm

I meant ... I don't know about hab it but I do know that everything you need to manage your prolapse n nurture ur body is RIGHT HERE on Christine's Whole Woman website!!

Wantmylifeback

June 22, 2013 - 7:27pm

I had grade 4 uterine prolapse. I am constantly in WW posture n in three weeks my uterus hasn't fallen out yet!! A couple days ago I actually had to " search " for my cervix!! I know whole woman works bc I'm doing it! I went from my uterus outside my body to my uterus close to where its supposed to be!!!!

Clicket

June 22, 2013 - 8:01pm

Wantmylifeback thats wonderful to hear and inspiring. In only 3 weeks? So there may be hope to correct mine hehe do the buldges ever lessen or go away I wondered with bladder or bowel. Everyones body is different.

I am wondering how others were diagnosed, is it important to get a thorough diagnosis of prolapses and the pelvic floor strength by a professional? Or is it better to just know its there and move forward with the posture etc? Wondered what other have done. Also is there a link somewhere to a run down of the posture and how its done.

Thanks so much

Surviving60

June 22, 2013 - 8:18pm

There are some important differences between Hab-it and WW. Christine has written extensively about kegels, in her book and in several blog articles (my personal fave is "Just Do Yer Kegels", on the blog). They are useless against prolapse and can actually aggravate it. You can read up on this yourself, but I'll just say that I did them religiously for decades and ended up with multiple prolapses, so, no more kegels for this girl.

Another difference is posture. Hab-it uses a more "neutral" spine, where we would like to see you restore that full lumbar curvature that you had as a girl, which is the basis for pelvic organ support as well as the health and stability of the hips and spine. Many, like me, were taught that good posture meant sucking in your belly and tucking your butt under. Well, that was wrong.

I've been here over 3 years and have restored a fair amount of that curvature during that time - hard work until you can make the posture second nature. I am 63 and never felt better. Christine's book is my bible, it has never left my nightstand in all this time. - Surviving

Clicket

June 23, 2013 - 4:22am

While I have been feeling sorry for myself I have read other posts on here and more about Whole Woman. And I have to say this is such a lovely supportive place to be. I am a believer in that where we are right now is exactly where we are meant to be. It dawned on me tonight that what I am learning now I can pass onto my little daughter growing inside. She will grow up with the knowlegde and wisdom that I can share with her from learning about whole health over the last 12 months and now whole woman. I am pretty excited about that.

Thanks for all the treasures you beautiful whole women share, I hope to join you in something special and spreading the knowledge as I get to know and practice it.

Surviving60

June 23, 2013 - 3:57pm

Clicket, this is so true and it's what keeps so many of us coming back to this forum. When I realize what so many women are going through, and how much bad and harmful "advice" is floating around out there masquerading as help......I know we have to keep trying to get the word out, one woman at a time. - Surviving