Will I ever trampoline with confidence? Happy pelvic floor stories here please...

[AllBuggiedOut]

I've had 2 kids, needed physio after the first to sort out my pelvic floor. It did help, and I was pretty good doing the exercises while pg with number 2, but must admit to being pretty crap since he was born. But although day to day it's fine (if not perfect), any bouncing exercise (skipping, trampoline etc) and wee leaks out . Is it destined to be like this forever? Or have any of you had similar experiences and managed to get back to pre-child pelvic floor confidence ?

[pregnabrain]

Hello there

I really feel for you - have had problems since birth of dd. Had physio and exercised like mad and it really did help, but i don't think i'll ever be the same as i was pre-baby. It really gets me down sometimes.

We're now thinking about number two and I'm absolutely terrified that i'm going to make it worse. Did it get worse for you?

How old is your second? Are you breastfeeding? I found that things improved a bit when I stopped bf and my hormones went back to normal.

best wishes and a big virtual hug

[AllBuggiedOut]

Thanks, appreciate your comments. It is pretty grim, isn't it?

But it won't necessarily be bad again, or get any worse afer number 2. I was much better after the second. I wonder whether that was partly because I had ventouse and an episiotomy first time but just a small tear second time, and I did exercise all the way through the pregnancy and for the first few months after number 2. Like you, things got better when I cut down on the feeding. But it does feel like it will never be quite right. The things we go through...

[AllBuggiedOut]

now don't make me laugh...

[mooshy]

Do you realise that this condition is treatable ?
OK not everybody wants to undergo surgery but you are young women and surgery has a massive success rate.Dont put up with it.I would advise seeing a sympathetic gp and get yourself sorted.I know lots of women who have and noone has ever said they wish they hadn`t . All said what a fabulous differrnce it made and wish they had done it sooner.Have loads of info if anyone wants it.

[AllBuggiedOut]

The hospital wasn't at all interested in surgery in my case - I think because it's not a massive problem and it's not all the time. And I think I agree (plus may still have more kids so not really an option at the moment). But I would like to know if anybody has had problems and recovered completely with exercises alone.

[pinkbubble]

I,ve had 3 children and my pelvic floor is shot to pieces- I cant walk across a trampoline let alone bounce! It very invasive having treatment ie physio etc but if you want to improve that muscle.Physio doesnt work for everyone, it didnt work for me and so now i'm on the waiting list for tvt operation.Thing to remember is that once you've had children you lose all dignity

[pregnabrain]

It's really reassuring to hear that you didn't get worse with a second pregnancy, AllBuggiedOut. I'm going to make sure I exercise like crazy the whole way through and just keep my fingers crossed I don't get a whopper of a baby...

I had a whole morning's worth of horrible tests at the hospital recently and the doctor said my results were 'disappointingly normal'. They're not considering me for surgery either, especially because i haven't finished my family (if i can ever get the courage up to go for it).

[meysey]

Mooshy I would be really interested in your information and success stories. I am being considered for surgery (more for problems post two tears, than for pure pelvic floor problems). The consultant has suggested holding off for as long as I can bear it as the success of the surgery is not guaranteed. That doesn't fill me with confidence!

[jennifersofia]

Sorry, I know that it is supposed to be positive stories, but my mother had an operation for this, and did not find it to be terribly effective...
It is difficult, isn't it? I have had a hacking cough for the last 4 wks and it has been a nightmare!
What sort of physio is recommended? Are they just pelvic floor exercises (pull up and tense, etc) kind of things, or is it more? Or do they recommend general exercise (hopefully not running or skipping!)

[AllBuggiedOut]

Am beginning to think there are no positie stories out there!

The physio I did was mainly just the tensing muscles thing. My physio said you needed to do 10 tense and hold for 10 seconds and 10 quick ones 5 times a day. Sounds ridiculous to say I don't find the time, but do need to concentrate on doing them and be sitting or lying down at the time.

[TheBlonde]

You need to make time for it - maybe do them when you are mumsnetting
I am pg with no2 are finding it hard but it is improving matters

[pregnabrain]

The physio is the pulling up and tensing thing, but they make sure you're doing it right. Mine also gave me a pelvic floor toner that I use to make sure I'm exercising correctly.

I think, also, it's good to have the motivation of the appointments with the physio to make you keep doing the exercises.

I've been really slack (bad choice of word!) about it since i've stopped seeing her. I can't believe i don't do the exercises every day any more - I suppose that's a sign that my problem is much better than it was.

There you go - a bit of positivity!

[twickersmum]

i hear these are very good, but you need to actually use it, not just leave it in the box like i did with those tummy tightener belt things!!!
this

[DimpledThighs]

I have had sucess with the exercises - much better if this works and you can avoid surgery (although I understand how necessary surgery is for some.) I had problems keeping up with the exercises but was necessary as was having leakage and wanted it to stop. Also was working with an older friend. On her 50th birthday I said 'with all your experience what one bit of advice would you give me?' and she said 'look after your pelvic floor'.

Pilates is FANTASTIC, it works on this muscle a great deal, along with the core muscles (abdomen and lower back - these also need a bit of attention after babies.) But I know getting to classes or making time for dvds is not realistic for some people - bear in mind it is not a strenious action pacled class that involves relaxation and breathing too, so is good for the brain too!

In the early days before pilates I got myself a watch that beped every hour on the hour - when it beeped I did 10 pelvic floor tenses - that is all - little and often. It got so I almost did them without noticing when the watch beeped.

It will be so much easier making the effort now than when you are older and I really did get mine back.

(whispers - it makes sex great too - esp pilates)

[AllBuggiedOut]

I'd heard that about pliates, DimpledThighs

Thanks, positive stories much appreciated. When it isn't a daily problem it's so easy to get lazy, but if I presuade myself it will get back to normal with exercise maybe that will motivate me.

[DimpledThighs]

Before I did pilates the watch alarm worked wonders - I swear by it.

Little and often makes it very easy to forget, but when the alarm goes as you only have to do ten and it takes ten seconds and it's done.

best wishes!

[MariNativityPlay]

AllBuggiedOut, ask to be referred back to the physio again. I think it helps hugely to be checked to make sure you are doing the exercises to good effect, and to be given a rating of up to five for pelvic floor response. Also to be checked for prolapse/leakage.
Bundle, when she is around, might be able to give you some positive stories about the new generation of surgical procedures. She hasn't had this done herself afaik but has spoken to surgeons offering the new techniques.