Anyone with experience of a prolapse that can offer advice?

[Catsu]

Hello,

Am looking for advice...
Had DC nearly 6 weeks ago. Things still dont feel 'quite right' and looking up symptoms I have a feeling that I have some sort of prolapse.
I have a heavy dragging/achy feeling low in my stomach plus I can feel something bulging about half way up my vagina.
I've looked up prolapse on the NHS website and it says there are 3 types - uterus, bladder or bowel. I have no idea which this might be.

It also says that for milder cases there is no need for treatment. I am doing lots of PF exercises and hoping that this may sort it out by itself.
Should I still go see the nurse/Dr about it? I dread the thought of having to have someone poke about up there again so soon after the birth tbh!
Will it affect having sex? We havent attempted it yet, as DC was big baby, lots of stitches and havent felt like it yet. Am a bit nervous to try!

Anyone else been there and have any advice to offer? please

[Upsy1981]

I don't have any experience of prolapse. However, I think you usually have a check up with a doctor as standard 6 weeks after the birth to make sure everything is healing up as it should be and to chat through any concerns you may have, sort contraception etc so that might be the ideal time to discuss it. They usually recommend you don't have sex till after that check up anyway (not that I felt like it anyway!) Hope you get sorted.

[Elibean]

No great experience either, but just to say that 6 weeks is possibly a little early to tell what damage is permanent...I had some slight fecal incontinence (very slight) after dd2, and that draggy feeling, but a year later it was totally gone. I saw the GP, and then the physio, but was just given reassurance - which is worth it, of course!

I would ask at 6 week check

[Catsu]

Thank you. I'd forgotten about the 6 week check. I've got that in a couple of weeks time so will def mention it then.
Very reassuring to hear that it may not be anything permanent too. I very much hope it's not!

[SecretSquirrels]

This happened after my second baby. Bulge at the front is bladder at the back is bowel.
It takes a while for the effect pregnancy hormones to wear off and longer if you are breastfeeding and these affect the recovery.
If your GP confirms a prolapse I would recommend you ask to see a physio who specialises in the pelvic floor as they can ensure you are doing PVEs correctly.(Many women don't).

[Zimbah]

I have a prolapse after giving birth 4.5 months ago. I saw the GP at 6 weeks who said in my case it was a urethrocele i.e. my urethra is bulging slightly. I've been doing pelvic floor exercises like crazy but feel it's no better, sometimes a little worse - am breastfeeding which may be affecting it I suppose. I've waited 12 weeks for a physio appointment and had my appointment today - 15 minutes before the appointment they phoned to say had double booked and had to cancel . Anyway it's rebooked for 2 weeks time.

Catsu I was very worried about being prodded and poked when I saw the GP initially, I still felt a bit traumatised from the birth, but she was very nice and understanding and just had a visual look.

[Catsu]

Thanks again for replies. I am also breast-feeding, I didn't realise that this would hinder my recovery!
I am still seeing a physio due to spd in pregnancy which has not completely resolved and I have an appt with the physio next week, before I will get to see the gp, so should I mention it to her then without having seen a gp or got a proper diagnosis do you think?

[SecretSquirrels]

I'd see your GP before the 6 weeks just to be sure.
To be honest I don't think a prolapse will actually get better from doing PFEs they just stop it getting worse, and only if done correctly.
It was the physio who told me that the pregnancy softening of joints and ligaments is prolonged when BFing.

[Catspersonalbanker]

IT can take a few months after finishing BF for the effects of Relaxin ( the hormone) to wear off, so be careful on lifting heavy things especially stuff like the wet laundry basket. Take al the help you can get

[edwinbear]

I was diagnosed with anterior and posterior prolapse 6 weeks after having DS after a difficult forceps delivery. Unfortunately mine can't be managed by PFE's so I will be having surgery after DC2 who is due in November. The lack of oestrogen that comes with bf does make things worse and after diagnosis I was prescribed an oestrogen cream (safe whilst bf) which helped a little. What also worked very well for me was an electronic pelvic floor toner (I have a Kegal8 but there are lots out there) which really helped, although hasn't fixed things. Please go and see your GP who will refer you to a gynae for a proper diagnosis though, I was the same about being examined so soon after giving birth but it was absolutely fine, everything was 'stretched' and it was far less uncomfortable than before I'd given birth.