To think I have a postpartum prolapse?

[Janemalle68]

Currently 12 weeks postpartum and I have recently started feeling a heaviness down below, especially when using the toilet. I don’t have any issues with leakiness so I am inclined to think it could just be issues with my pelvic floor. I am very nervous to go see a doctor hence the post on here however it is affecting my sex life with my husband as I don’t feel confident enough. I have felt a ‘bulge’ inside however I’m not sure if this is a prolapse or scar tissue.

Go to your doctor's then.

you may find this useful @Janemalle68 but if you are still concerned, do contact your surgery.🌻

www.ladybirdpt.com/post/a-realistic-timeframe-for-recovering-postpartum-is-6-18-months-not-6-weeks#

It could be. It's more common than many people think as it's not really talked about much and also under diagnosed.

I would say although it's really hard do go to your doctor with any concerns and do talk to your husband. Having sex with a prolapse is usually fine (if it wasn't, it would be much better treated because we can't let the poor men have their sex affected can we? 🤨) but you shouldn't be doing anything that gives you pain, or that you don't want to do

It is really normal to still be recovering a lot at this phase and for many months to come. For example, I do have a prolapse which only improved when I stopped bf and carrying babies around all day. There is also a lot that can be done to improve things. Now some years later it can get worse if I have a really bad cough but mostly doesn't affect my day to day life

I have a bladder prolapse. I don't leak urine.
It's also not the end of the world like I thought it was when I finally (after weeks of fighting and crying) diagnosed at a couple of months post natal. There are lots of ways to manage things.

I lift weights, walk, run, have had another baby and I'm pregnant with my 3rd and learned LOTs about my pelvic floor.

If funds allow a mummyMOT with a private physio really helped me.
It takes over a year to recover from birth, not the magical 6 weeks people think. Take it easy and get to the drs.

P.S my husband can't feel any difference and would still be at it like rabbits...however I'm bloody tired 😂

Hey! You should definitely go to the doctor, but I just wanted to add that it might not be a prolapse, it could just be a very weakened pelvic floor. I was totally convinced I had a prolapse as I had a bulging sensation but it turned out that my pelvic floor had taken a really bad bashing (long labour, big baby) and it wasn't a prolapse after all. I was quite pushy and got a referral on the NHS for physio. 3 years after giving birth I'm pretty much back to normal. I sometimes get the odd dragging sensation down there when I'm tired and have been picking up my son a lot. I found that the pelvic floor exercises recommended by the physio did help but what really helped me get back to normal was building up my core through pilates and bellydance classes, but it did take a while to get back into the swing of those hobbies. I think overall "global" muscle and tone can really help alleviate pelvic issues. BUT rest up first and give it time. I call bullshit*t on it taking 6 weeks to recover from birth - it took me about a year to feel normal again and based on anecdotal evidence I'm not an outlier! Wishing you all the best, I know how scary and unpleasant it can feel.

Go to your gp. It is so common to get these problems and the sooner you go the better because it'll be a weight lifted off . Physio will help and like pp has said building up your core muscles will also help.

If you can afford it, don't bother with the doctor. Find a pelvic physio and get an assessment, or a 'mummyMOT' - awful name but it's just like a brand name for a specific post partum checkup. Lots of physios provide them and you can Google to find one near you, I think mine was about £90. As PP said, not necessarily the end of the world, but better to have a diagnosis and tools to prevent it getting worse. I have mild double prolapse, it's to do with the ligaments so no amount of pelvic floor work will make it better unfortunately, I just have to be careful not to make it worse but it doesn't affect my day to day life.

Hi @Janemalle68. I am also 12 weeks post partum with my second baby. I had a prolapse that suddenly dropped when I was about 11 weeks pregnant then resolved after a few weeks. Suddenly 2 weeks post partum it dropped again with urine incontinence issues. It affected my mental health (feelings of shame and embarrassment) and like you my confidence to be intimate. I spoke to a GP at my 6 week check up and when I asked for a referral to a pelvic specialist for a pessary fitting she just advised me to do my pelvic floor exercises and a pessary would only hinder doing the exercises correctly. She said if it hadn’t got better in a couple of months to seek a referral then but no one would consider surgery until I had completed my family. Over the last few weeks it has got better with exercises and I hate to admit time and probably hormonal changes. I still feel a bulge when using the toilet but it’s not as low as it was and I don’t feel it whilst standing or leak wee. It’s very difficult to rest when you have a new baby and a toddler as well in my case. I absolutely agree if funds allow to seek a mummy MOT from a private pelvic floor specialist. I haven’t felt the need to but have a friend who highly recommended the experience. If only this after birth care existed on the NHS.
You are not alone. 💐