To ask if you have (or had) a prolapse after birth? I'm 25 and mortified

[Jessy111]

I gave birth 6 weeks ago and needed stitches for a second degree perennial tear.

I have reluctantly examined my bits to see how everything was healing and noticed things looked odd on the inside, a swelling of sort.

A closer inspection has revealed what I'm %99 sure is a prolapse (to be confirmed at my doctors appointment next week)

If i insert my finger past some tissue i can feel a lump and my cervix is well within reach, it has dropped down very low.

I'm only in my mid twenties and I'm mortified at the prospect of having a damaged vag

Can I have your experiences please, perhaps some reassurance that it can be resolved without intrusive surgery? I'm already doing my pelvic floors.

I'm so sad about this

@Hello1312…just to add I’ve just read my posts from May and it’s made me see how much better I am feeling now! I really feel much better and much more positive than I did. It has been a slow and gradual improvement though, which I found very very hard for at least the first 6 months because I didn’t really believe I was going to get better. Things are not perfect now but they are much much better, it’s such a cliche but time has made a huge difference. I hope that, like me and the other positive stories on this thread you will see good improvements over time.

Rest lots and take it easy though, I cried lots at first and needed lots of tlc. I remember being really upset at 4 months because I had convinced myself I would feel better by then but I didn’t. Looking back it was so so early and my body needed lots more time and rest. I think I was carrying quite a lot of trauma from the birth too, and it took a while to release that.

Do you have a supportive partner? Family? We didn’t have much family support due to COVID, but I did spend lots of time on the sofa with the baby napping on me while watching trashy telly - didn’t do either of us any harm although I had lots of guilt/fomo around all the things i should have been doing, which was totally unnecessary because baby was perfectly happy.

@Prolapsy thank you so much for your message. It's so reassuring to hear from people that have been through it, particularly when they have come out the other side. So pleased to hear you are feeling better.

I know what you mean about the trauma. The bulge is a constant reminder of what I went through and I find that quite challenging!

Can I ask what type of prolapse you have and when you stopped breastfeeding? Was there anything you did that you also think improved your symptoms other than pelvic floor exercises? Are you a lot more comfortable now ? Sorry to bombard you with questions!

I went to see another physio for a second opinion who said I had a mild rectocele and a very mild urethracele and that I should get a cube pessary. A bit confused as the previous physio said I had laxity not a prolapse (not that I fully understand the difference!) Thinking of seeing a urogynae to ask about a pessary but worried to get another opinion in case it's worse than the last! What type of pessary do you use? Are there things that you were avoiding doing that you are able to do now?

I am 2 months pp now. Feeling a little better mentally but everyday is a bit of a challenge to get on with the day and lift my mood, especially in the mornings. It's hard to be present especially when I feel like I have a to-do list of pelvic floor related things. I also get worried to be in a situation when I'm asked to carry something heavy or do something physical that I don't feel able to do and what I'd say in that situation. Thankfully I have a very supportive partner and family but I get worried that their patience is wearing thin at times - I drive them mad haha! I just wonder how they will be if this continues for years. I also worry about sex. There's no pressure on me in that respect but I would like to have sex again one day and I feel like there's not even a hole there right now!

@Hello1312

It’s all confusing isn’t it! A physio I spoke to early on said that when you are less than 8months postpartum they don’t say ‘prolapse’ they call it ‘laxity’, because it is so likely to improve and not be a permanent problem. the terminology seems to differ between professionals though.

I was told I had a mild bladder and mild bowel prolapse (can’t remember the medical terms), and a ‘deficient perineum’ (lol!). I had a ring pessary fitted, about 2 months ago. The gynae said I didn’t need one, but I wanted to try it and the physio referred me for it because I kept asking. You can get them privately for about £300, which I was thinking about if my nhs referral had been delayed.

I stopped breastfeeding at about 5 months, my periods came back straightaway and I felt the prolapse improve within a few weeks. I think the physio, yoga, stopping breastfeeding, and the oestrogen cream I was prescribed probably all helped me. I still don’t use a baby carrier, and I try not to do any heavy lifting, but I am able to do all the normal stuff round the house, and I can lift/carry baby. I can lift the (empty) pram up the stairs now which i didn’t do before. I doubt I will be doing high impact exercise for a long time though!!!

Try not to worry too much about what people think. I have told all my friends and family, they all know I can’t lift anything heavy and when I couldn’t walk v far the first few months they were really accommodating. For people I know less well I just say I have some injuries from childbirth/cant lift heavy things for medical reasons and that does the job although haven’t really had to do explain that often.

Don’t rush things like sex, wait until you are ready but also don’t be scared of it. My physio was really reassuring about that and had some good advice.

2months post-partum I was a bit of a mess in so many ways! Which I think is perfectly normal even without a prolapse. Hormones,tiredness,adapting to the changes in your body and your life, dealing with the trauma of birth. So much going on. It’s mad people don’t talk about it more. Just be kind to yourself and ask for help when you need it. If you think the birth trauma is a problem then you could ask for a debrief at the hospital? If you are worried about anxiety /depression getting out of hand let your HV or GP know.

@Prolapsy I really appreciate your message! Thank you so much for all the advice.

Did you continue to use the oestrogen cream after you stopped breastfeeding? Was it the gynae who prescribed you this? I've had problems getting it from my GP.

@Hello1312 yes it was the gynae who prescribed it, and she said to use it until my periods started up. I didn’t start using it until maybe 4 months after the birth.

Hi @Prolapsy sorry can I also ask how often you see your physio? Also with the pelvic floor exercises were you able to feel a lift straight away ? I'm doing them lying down at the moment and feel a contraction when I do them on one side a lot stronger than the other (the episiotomy side is a lot weaker) but I don't feel a lift yet. Just wondering if you experienced the same and if so at what point you started noticing a difference? Thank you!