Pelvic floor dysfunction?

[LuSmithTheMyth]

Have any of you had problems with your pelvic floor after giving birth and did it ever get better? I'm not sure what the issue is but ever since having DS I've found after walking I get sharp achey cramps all the way along my pelvic floor, into my vagina and groin area, along my buttocks and down my thighs. It usually feels better after resting, but I'm finding I find it hard to make BM and have urination problems too (frequent urination) but I had that latter issue before pregnancy anyway. I'm just wondering whether this sounds like PFD? I have piles which obviously get sore and achey too but I'm pretty sure they wouldnt cause the pressure in my pelvic floor... I get such lower back ache too!!

How old is your DS? It all takes a little while to get back to normal after birth, I know I was sore for a good few weeks after, but if you think it is more than this, you really do need to go and speak to your GP. I had to go to mine as I wasn't sure that everything was healing properly, and what with the good ol piles, it was fine, and doctor was very understanding. I requested a female doctor as I wasnt keen to bare all to my regular GP!
Make an appointment, there is no point in suffering if it can be fixed.

I agree with sittinghippo - unless you are very very recently post partum, be brave and go to your gp to get checked out. I had a mild bladder/vaginal prolapse, I was referred to the gynae physio and have had several months of pelvic floor exercises. Now at 8 months pp it's not totally better but is better than it was, and I have been told it takes at least 6 months of doing the exercises to see full results, plus I'm still breastfeeding which hinders recovery somewhat, so it should continue to improve over time. I was extremely upset about the prolapse initially, but now feel ok and fairly optimistic about it.

Well I'm 15 weeks or so postpartum.. not sure whether its prolapse as I've had a slight pelvic exam (as in they looked inside with a speculum but didn't open it completely) by a gynae who didn't mention prolapse at the time. I have been told I don'thave rectal prolapse as I asked the doctor when she checked my piles.

I will definitely mention it though should I still feel this way after my laparoscopy. I don't know if it feels like prolapse but could well be I guess, I'm sure that the lap may tell me more.. and the internal exam the gynae will be giving me anyway.

The piles are driving me nuts when it comes to IBS flare ups.. get much much worse when I have to keep running to the loo! They were shrinking for a good long while and I went from four/five to just two and a skintag but god knows now. Feel like they've swollen again a little since having the flare.

I hope you recover soon Zimbah - seems like childbirth recovery is a long process :(

About a quarter of women will develope mild pelvic floor prolapse postpartum. Sounds like you may have a rectocele - you can usually feel like by putting your fingers at the base of your vagina when you bear down to have a bm. Its important to support this area - if you get a wad of loo paper and push against your perineum when you bear down. It will also help you to have a bm.

Speak to you gp and get referred to the physios. They will asseSs you and give lots of valuable advice and pelvic floor ex.

It doesn't seem like a rectocele but I guess it could be? I'm sure that the gynae would be able to spot this..?

I'll prob get referred for pelvic floor ex soon anyway, after my treatment. Would be good to get something started so I can start to feel better again.