Help post partum problems

[OneKookyPinkShaker]

Hi there,

I'm a first time poster and posting in AIBU in the hope of getting more traffic please be kind.

I'm currently 13 weeks post partum. After giving birth the midwife told me my cervix wasn't going back up but not to worry about it.

At my 6 week check up my GP confirmed I had a uterine prolapse grade 2 I didn't get any other information and just went into overdrive googling and making myself panic that I'd need a hysterectomy at 30 and not be able to be active.

I went to a private physio who told me I'm doing kegals wrong tried to tell me to do them the right way but I'm still really struggling with this. She did however say I'm so early post partum that I could heal and recover from this.

I saw the NHS Physio and was told it's not possible to heal it and it would just be a case of managing symptoms. Still also struggling with kegals.

I just feel so anxious and scared. I used to be really physically active pre-baby but have been told not to do this.

I just feel broken and my body has let me down. Also feel so alone, both physio's said it was really common but I don't know anyone else this has happened to.

I really wanted to have a second child but worried this won't be possible now.

Do I go on the advice of the private or NHS Physio?

Does anyone have positive stories of recovery and going on to have a second child?

Thank you

I have a bladder prolapse, it happened after my first. I googled myself into a black hole. It ruined my first few months of motherhood...

Best things I did - got a mummy MOT with a private physio (my NHS physio was erm not great.)
Joined a group called POP fitness on Facebook (I was a gym bunny and thought my life was over)
STOPPED googling and looking. Literally had to get my husband to take my phone to work at one point.
Stopped doing kegals they made me worse. I was also hypertonic (so I a permanent state of tension down there making everything feel worse)

The first year was the most symptomatic for me. So much healing happens in the first 12-18m after birth, people assume we bounce back. I went back to the gym, I can run, lift, I choose to think about risk Vs reward so avoid too much high impact stuff.

I now really only get symptoms around ovulation.

I'd assumed I'd never have more kids because of the risks of my internal organs popping out to say hello...I have a 5 year old, 3 year old and I'm pregnant so that didn't work out as planned 😂 no worsening of symptoms yet.

It's such a rough time but honestly things are VERY likely to get better. There are lots of options too pessaries and surgery in the future are an option (menopause sometimes makes things worse but not always) I've got another ten years to wait for menopause and I'm hoping there are some advances in surgery so there are ever more options.

You're not alone x

Thank you for the positive story! X

I think this is a very specific and niche area of physiotherapy so a more general physio is unlikely to be familiar enough. I go to a pelvic floor physio called Clare Bourne. She is really active on instagram and posts some great advice. 6 months PP and I feel like I’m turning a corner now and it is getting better, but it didn’t feel like that for a while. We were considering a peasary to manage my symptoms so I could get back into more active exercise but doesn’t seem necessary now.

Listen to Why Mums Don't Jump podcast. Very informative and will have you crying and laughing. You are not alone! The podcast has loads of useful information and advice on recovery and managing symptoms.

Thanks just to confirm the NHS and private physio have both been pelvic floor physios. I will look for her! Pleased to hear you feel like you are turning a corner now!

Just wanted to say that you aren't alone and it can be very scary. My advice is also to get a private mummy Mot, and pay privately to see a physio who specialises in women's health.
My baby is now 7 months old but I had why they thought was vaginal and rectal prolapse. With the right exercises and help it gets better. At your stage I was in dispair too thinking it would never get better - but with exercise and time it has improved massively. As the relaxin tapers off and I slowly stopped breastfeeding it also improved. Depending on the degree of prolapse there is also surgical help available. Hang in there x