Whole Woman Village Forum

Hi everyone,

I stayed up way later than I should have last night to read the new edition of Christine's book. It is good, REALLY good! Packed with new information relating to many of the things that have come up here, like specific information about pregnancy and prolapse for example.

I was so excited to see actual quotes from women here on the forum. It really makes me feel that along with Christine, we are all here changing things a little bit at a time as well. VERY exciting!

Michelle.

Has anyone lately tried this and what were the results? Thanks

Hi All. I'm 19 weeks pregnant. Started off with uterine prolapse after last birth 16 months ago (no intervention or stitches) and now am pretty sure I've a cystocele and possibly a rectocele. I'm not scared for my uterus during birth as I know the cervix opens and pulls up and back, but I'm lying awake thinking of the bulges in the vaginal wall and what the hell happens them? I'm picturing the baby's head pushing against them and forcing them outside vagina so baby then hasn't enough room to easily pass through - with a resulting need for an episiotomy?? I also have a kind of loose fleshy bit under my urethra and I'm worried about this also being pushed out.

I am new to this way of communicating, so forgive me if I don't do it well yet. I have read some of what some of you have written -most interesting, helpful.

Does anyone have tips on how to use the format of a forum?

Can I contact Christine or anyone else directly?

I have been recently diagnosed with advanced prolapse of the uterus, cystocele and paravaginal defect (collapsed vagina). My doctors (I am HMO, referred to a consultant surgeon), the HMO one albeit with sympathy, my friends, my family all think I should have the surgery, and that I am just being emotional about the issue. I do not like the options presented to me, all of which involve removing the uterus, and none of which (except maybe the one which sews up my vagina) will restore me to the level of fitness in which I can continue my martial arts practice. Needless to say, the condition is painful, practically crippling, making it difficult at work in particular. I devised a crotch support for myself to ease this, and was told by my doctor not to wear it or the part of my bladder/vaginal wall which is protruding would be ulcerated by rubbing against it.

Although I do not identify myself by a number people call age, I will say that I am menopausal. I am also a single parent helping my daughter through college, employed as a private preschool teacher and a Sunday receptionist, and have VERY little savings and no money to retire. If I take enough time off from work to recover from surgery, I will lose my job as they will need to replace me immediately. That might be a blessing in disguise, as this job requires extensive standing and a fair amount of lifting (not lifting the kids). However, I face age discrimination in the process of finding a new job (I ran into it while looking before I got this one), and can look forward to probably not being able to earn a living wage if I quit for surgery. I work longer hours than I should - to do the job well requires it - and am in the car a lot. I use time which should be used for sleep and meditation to live a life outside of work, including being on the computer and trying to research this issue.

Has anyone else been through my experience?

Should we avoid any of the exercises in the video if we are pregnant? Has anyone continued with them throughout their pregnancy?

This is my first day on the forums and I wanted to introduce myself and my story, then I have a few initial questions. I am thrilled to have finally found this site and a group who choose natural healing.

I was diagnosed with a stage 2 cystocele/rectocele about 4 years ago, about 6 months after the birth of my first child, at age 38. I had a home birth, labor was about 7 hours, mostly in a tub, pushed for a couple of hours, but it was not a complicated birth (no extra equipment or anything, barely a tear). I've also never had a constipation issue. Big mystery as to why I got it, perhaps heredity as my mom has incontinence. So, anyway, 6 months after giving birth, while on a walk, I suddenly felt a heavy feeling and voila - stage 2 prolapse. I used a pessary for a while, saw a physical therapist and was somewhat good at doing my exercises, eventually didn't need the pessary, but still had that "heavy" feeling, mostly at the end of the day.

Are women with prolapse more suseptible to any infections due to the very nature of increased exposure? For example, is sitting in a hot tub or swimming in a public pool putting a woman at risk since the cervix is exposed? Have often wondered about this and do not know if I am being naive or paranoid on the subject. Can anyone shed light on this? Have not heard any statistics or other info on whether this should be a concern to women with prolapse.

But.....was wondering about the issue of feminine hygiene products and prolapse. This is very much a lifestyle question. Specifically, is your quality of life affected by being unable to use tampons due to your prolapse? Are you affected by this?

I don't know if anyone read my post today but I was whining about why when I am doing everything right does my rectocele seem to get worse.
Well now I know why- I have a cystocele. I can't believe it- I knew I had a "softening" of the anterior wall but I figured it was normal with an infant (and was told as much)- but today the softening went to full blown bulge- putting alot of pressure on the rectocele and causing a very uncomfortable full feeling.
I feel sick about this. I was okay with the rectocele- really almost right from the start- but god now I can really identify with the panic feeling others have felt.

well, yuck.

i seemed to have been slammed with wither food poisoning or an intestinal virus during the night. i know i have to let it work out, but having thrown up this morning, i'm concerned about the best way to position myself so as not to exacerbate the prolapses -- especially the rectocele.

blech, this is rough. any advice would be very very welcome.

thanks.

xsusan