MN Can we please support/highlight this? Pelvic Organ Prolapse

This is one of the reasons I had sections. Women need to be informed of ALL risks of childbirth and them be able to choose their method of delivery.

Another vote here.

It happens to so many women, but yet so many are blissfully unaware of existence until it happens to them. Plus there is a vast amount of conflicting information out there.

Yes please, another vote here, I have a friend who is dealing with this. It's something that should be discussed more.

It seems to be a hidden risk to childbirth that just isnt discussed enough.

I have a problems that I am too scared to get treated. As the mesh scandle is petrifying.

I found out I had two prolapses a year ago. Things had started to feel different in my vulval area, more bulky esp after having done trampolining for a few weeks.

Went to gp who diagnosed cystocele (bladder prolapse) and rectocele (prolapsed rectum). As I'm premenopausal it's v likely they will worsen post menopause. I can't run any more (which I really enjoyed), can't trampoline, shouldn't jump up and down when I dance. Mustn't get constipated as straining makes them worse.

Read lots of the fab any old prolapse threads and found Apops. So helpful. I got better informed and found that

• some studies estimate as many as 40% of post menopausal women have a prolapse.

• That my dds forceps delivery mean I was hugely likely to experience prolapse - no-one mentioned this to me when encouraging my vaginal delivery.

• in France all women have individual physio post birth which massively reduces prolapse rates.

This diagnosis has had a big impact on me. I can't play football with ds or badminton with my dd any more. I feel disabled, but it's invisible and not talked about.

And the reality is it will almost certainly get worse and I could end up like many women whose prolapses become external causing a lot of pain, discomfort and reduced ability to exercise.

Surgical treatment using mesh is now triggering lawsuits as the rates and severity of complications starts to emerge. More effective, less invasive treatment is needed.

I've suffered with depression in the past, which running helped. Prolapse means I can't any more which affects both my mental health and my physical health - like cardiovascular health, I've gained some weight which also makes prolapse worse.

I'm not now fearful that any sudden jump or run will make everything fall out, but it took me six months to get to that point.

Specialist physio does help. I swim and walk.

Mumsnet I would love you campaign on this.

Prolapse is sooooooo common, and has significant negative impact on many sufferers' mental and physical health.

In my opinion a regular prolapse assessment should be standard for women with children.

Individual physio after vaginal delivery as good practice, mandatory after instrumental delivery.

More public awareness, less embarrassment and more support please.

Thank you.

Adding my support. The women on the "any old prolapse" threads here got me through a very difficult time several years ago and I joined the APOPS FB group around the same time, it is an amazing organisation.

Definitely support this. I've just been diagnosed & it's all so confusing & scary !

Definitely in support of this. I was 5 weeks postpartum with my first baby at the age of 30 when I discovered my prolapse. I had the 'perfect' birth too- easy, call water birth of an average sized baby. Turns out my prolapse is because of something called levator avulsion- my main pelvic floor muscles were torn off my pelvis when my daughter crowned. It's a very common injury to some degree and it is never discussed in childbirth classes. Some research shows that up to 50% of forceps deliveries will inflict some level of this sort of injury on women.
Women need to be informed of the very real risks to their pelvic floor during childbirth. Prolapse is a debilitating condition, both physically and emotionally.

I definitely agree with the sentiments above, pelvic organ prolapse needs to be discussed and you have a wonderful platform to spread awareness! 50% of women will experience POP (many of them are newly post-partum moms!!), yet MOST women have NEVER heard of it! That is absurd. The condition is shroud in silence because the symptoms are often difficult to talk about…but I can tell you…the symptoms are very difficult to live with. Would be awesome if MN could help raise awareness. Sherrie Palm wrote a book called Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The Silent Epidemic 3rd edition. This is an outstanding, comprehensive book on navigating a personal and complicated condition. I wish I had had this book decades ago when I first had symptoms. My POP progressed (as is the case for many women) to the point where I have had 2 surgeries, still have rectocele. I can no longer run, do triathlons, play tennis, and I had to change positions at work. POP took a lot from me and that may not have been the case if I had just had some knowledge...especially post-partum cautions!! Sherrie is the founder of Association for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support (APOPS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit and has worked tirelessly to spread awareness, and has presented at many clinician based conferences and women’s event. Would be terrific to see MN invite her to participate in a Webchat! More on Sherrie and POP can be found at the APOPS website: www.pelvicorganprolapsesupport.org

Agree, APOPs is fantastic and I have gained so much from it. This definitely needs talking about.

This definitely needs to be highlighted. So many women do not know anything about this and it is life changing.

I have pelvic organ prolapse, thank you for this post. When I was diagnosed, I had never heard of it and had no idea that my uterus, bladder, or bowel could fall. It affected my ability to go to the bathroom, i am physically active and I had to stop running, I had no libido and when I did have sex it hurt. When I talk about this to my female friends, they don't know about it either. And then I tell them what the symptoms are and I have had a few go to their doctors to discuss symptoms. Thank you for addressing this!