I think I may have a prolapse - panicking

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

probably tmi

Dd is 6 months. Today curiosity got the better of me and I had a feel around in the shower

There is something up there that is very wrong. It feels like a lump of poo - kind of knobbly and firm. It feels about an inch or so big.

I had no idea anything might be wrong until today. Occasional slight dragging sensation esp when I need to pee but I thought that was normal after childbirth.

Because I am obsessing it all feels funny now. Have made a docs appointment in a week but I have a horror of internal exams so am worried he may not be able to check.

Am panicking about gangrene and operations and specialist appointments when I have an ebf dd to look after.

Eeep :(

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

Is it your cervix you are feeling? The way you describe it, it sounds as if it is floating around inside your fanny.
Try not to panic, why would you think you'll go gangrenous and need an operation?
Wait until you see your GP, try some deep breathing excercies to relax you. I totally understand the horror of internal exams. would you feel more comfortable with a female GP or the practice nurse?

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

sex of the examiner makes no difference unfortunately.

Don't think it is far enough back to be cervix. Is attached to top of vagina not floating I was wondering if it could be scar tissue from the stitching, but feels huge and protuberant.

The gangrene worry is daft, just thought vaginal wall might heal around prolapse and Squeeze it to death. And I thought a prolapse required an op to fix...

:)

[OopsDoneItAgain]

Yes I remember that first 'feel around' after DS1 very well. Frightened the life out if me since it all felt so different from before. I guess lumps and bumps are to be expected if we are objective about it, having carried and squeezed out a baby, but its hard not to panic a bit - its not as if we can see whats going on up there, is it?

I suspect its your cervix too tbh, mine is way lower than it was. That said, I have no pelvic floor these days and a prolapse too, a mild one, and excuse tmi, I am really just pretty lumpy and bumpy internally now generally. I just try not to go there any more IYKWIM! I havent bothered getting the prolapse looked at, other than the slight dragging you describe it doesnt really affect me. I suspect it wont be as bad as you fear given that you only noticed something after a feel around.

But good to get things checked, will hopefully put your mind to rest.

[OopsDoneItAgain]

Sorry, re -read that and it sounds a tad dismissive. Was not intended to be, I know how these things can put the wind up you.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

It,s not that it's lumpy and bumpy; it's hard and feels completely different to everything else. And it,s only a couple of inches in.

Hope it is my cervix though. Do you think the doc will laugh at me if it is

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

dismissive is good! I feel much happier now ;)

[OopsDoneItAgain]

I also have a lump on the front wall of my insides that is quite hard - Im not sure if it is the prolapse or scar tissue (I had a couple of internal stitches.) In fact have just remembered that I went to the doc to ask her to have a look because it all felt so wrong too! Had totally forgotten that! She didnt laugh, just said it looked completely normal for a post birth fanny and I was a bit 'Oh my god! Is it going to stay like this for ever then??' Have to say, DH has noticed nothing, and I dont really think about it any more. Have had another DC since so have bumps on my lumps now!

[arfasleep]

Sounds like cervix, my cervix is only about 1inch in, have mild to moderate prolapse. Was referred to physio & advised to do pelvic floor exercises regularly & shouldn't get worse.

[BCBG]

Have you ever felt your cervix before? It will feel smooth to the touch and firm, very unlike everything else - basically like touching the end of your nose. Many women can insert a finger and sweep either side of it as it protrudes into the vagina, and most cervixes are only the length of your longest finger away at the best of times . I have a backwards tilt to mine, (known as a retroverted uterus) which is perfectly normal, but means that mine can be felt more easily than some. I am 100% confident it is your cervix you are feeling and some gentle pelvic exercises and time will restore you to normal

[honie]

I'll agree with the cervix vote - sounds just how mine feels - also retroverted btw. Always best to check with your dr though. Best wishes xx

[dikkertjedap]

If it feels bumpy at the back of the vagina, could be hard bumps, even a series of hard bumps, then it is likely to be compacted stool. So once you are pretty sure you have fully emptied your bowels (use mild laxative if necessary) then feel again, you might find the hard bumps have gone.

[TryLikingClarity]

I had DS 8 months ago and there is no mission of me putting my fingers up inside myself for any reason; am too scared of what it'd feel like.

[nannyj]

I have a prolasped bladder and it felt like I was sitting on a tennis ball when it was at it's most painful. I panicked but it has really healed with exercises and don't feel it at all now. Try not to panic and wait for your docs appt. Is it painful at all?

[specialsmasher]

I feel like my innards are going to fall out as I get more into my second pregnancy - like I did after birth the first time. I'm worried I may end up with a prolapse... can pelvic floor exercises hoist things back up a bit, or just arrest the downward trend? [sigh}

[purplepeony]

It might help to know that the vagina is lumpy and bumpy anyway- it is not like a flat toilet roll tube. it has bands of muscles that go round and up and down. the bump you feel might just be normal tissue that has a) always been there or b) is now a bit more prominent due to stretching.

Question is- did you ever have an explore before childbirth? if not, how would you know that you are different now?

I had a prolapse- the front wall sagged and i could "push it back" with my finger. The bulge felt softish not hard. Also my cervix was lower- a small tampon fitted but not much space at the end, IYSWIM.
I had it repaired- not back 100% to what is was, but better.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Humph, well I had appointment tomorrow so thought I had better have a rummage this morning to make sure the scary lump of doom was still there ... and it's bloody not!

there is nothing there, nothing that could have been the lump I felt. I think I can just about feel what is my cervix about as far in as I can reach. It is also strangely "squidgey" towards the entrance, I can kind of push this mass of softness out of the way but it kind of comes back - sounds like what purplepeony said.

I'm wondering, is it possible this is still the lump, but with any empty bladder IYSWIM?

Anyway, my dilemma now is, should I go to the doc or not. There was nothing that really scared me this time, but should I go anyway to be laughed at reassured, (bearing in mind I am really, really bad at internal exams)

Or should I call and cancel the appointment at the last minute, but potentially have a recurrence, and keep worrying...

Tell me what to do ... :(

[sapphireblue]

Don't keep worrying. Go and see your GP and explain your fear of internal exams.

[catinthehat2]

Go to GP.
Let them have an official rummage.
Hear it out loud that your bits are perfectly in order.
Pull your knickers up and breathe sigh of relief.

[devonsmummy]

Go to the GP. I put off going for months certain that I had a prolapse. It wasn't until my DH said he could feel a lump too that I made the appointment. I burst into tears when I started telling the doc what was wrong, convinced I'd need operations. A quick examination and was told all seemed fine - the lump was probably poo (tmi!) as I'd had problems emptying my bowels since giving birth. Linseed sorted my poo troubles, and since then no lumps!!
Hope all goes well xx

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Thank you all for the support you gave me, and for helping me go to the doctor.

Well, I went, and there is nowt wrong with me . Well, nothing a few months of religiously doing my pelvic floor exercises won't fix.

Apparently the front wall of my vagina has concertinaed but nothing is going to fall out.

And everything else is fine and normal.

And my doctor was absolutely fantastic, she was a new one, and I no longer have a fear of internal exams - I could barely feel her (or maybe that's just what childbirth does )