Anyone had a natural delivery with prolapse?

[oohdaddypig]

Hi there.

Grateful for any stories, positive or otherwise.

I'm pregnant with third baby and my babies tend to be large-ish. First caused a third degree tear and second a second degree tear, which healed fine.

However, i have a prolapse. Self diagnosed as useless GP only ever examined lying down. When standing up, I think it was a moderate bladder prolapse but has improved a bit in the two years since last delivery, which is why I have just lived with it. It's very much there though and I suspect there is mild rectal prolapse too, and my cervix seems very low (sorry if TMI).

I would prefer to avoid a c-section for my (hopefully final!) baby. But I'm worried it will destroy my nether regions and leave me with a much more severe prolapse, requiring surgery a

I'm seeing the consultant at 28 weeks and I know they say pregnancy and not labour cause prolapse but to be frank, I don't believe this!

I'd be grateful for your experiences. Many thanks.

Hopeful prolapsed bump...

Hi. I too have a prolapse but diagnosed and am concerned about this.

I was thinking it would only be a c-section but the consultant told me that this actually does more damage internally to the muscles rather than a vaginal delivery but am still freaking out! (39 weeks with my 3rd baby!)

Hi huffpot I guess your decision making is more urgent than mine! All the very best. I did do some googling and it sounds like a natural delivery needn't worsen things.

How did you get your prolapse diagnosed? My GP is utterly crap. Sadly my prolapse is worsening this pregnancy so I might need to force the issue.

How exciting you are 39 weeks with your third!

Hiya oohdaddypig
I know...39 weeks! I was surprisingly calm till another friend with a prolapse and 2 children was going on about a c-section if she had a 3rd due to the prolapse and freakes me out!

I felt my prolapse hanging out of me one day after doing the 30 day shred and freaked out so went to the GP who put me on the bed and got me to cough and could then feel it bulging out. I got referred to a gynaecologist who confirmed it and referred to physio.
The funny thing was I mentioned it over a year ago to another gynaecologist who I was seeing over another issue (ovarian cyst) & who very reluctantly had a quick look and dismissed me. I know now that I had it then too...the NHS can be great but awful as well

I'm in the same position as you, pregnant with dc4, definitely have a (self diagnosed) prolapse and some associated problems that I've decided to live with and manage. It hasn't occured to me not to give birth naturally tbh and am planning to do so at home just as I did with my others - have you read about risks involved with delivery?

I've had this prolapse since the birth of dc2, and gave birth to dc3 at home with no problems, and it didn't make matters worse, if that helps.

That's hugely reassuring johndory!

dory - thanks and agree your story is reassuring. I hadn't read the risks for natural delivery were worse with a prolapse - I had assumed it based in the fact my prolapse was triggered by my initial third degree tear.

To be honest, for my third (and hopefully last!) delivery, I want to avoid a csection so I'm pleased by what you have said - thanks

huff - that was my experience too - my prolapse at times would protrude but only when standing. The GP asked me to cough - but lying down. I tried to explain but she was awful and disinterested and I already felt embarrassed as it was. Agree the NHS is crap at these things.

My prolapse has gradually stopped hanging out over the last 2 years though - but is still hangs low

huff you must be due - overdue now?!

First baby - 3rd deg tear and prolapse I lived with. Definitely got worse during second pregnancy but did loads of pelvic floor + epi no exercises (mostly through fear if tearing again) Had a home birth with not even a graze, and magically the prolapse has gone. Doctor rather mystified and impressed.

I prolapsed with first birth. Had natural delivery with dc2 2 years later and it didn't make it worse. Two rounds of surgery and everything is repaired.

I had a prolapse after DC1 and am on a waiting list for surgery. I went on to have a vaginal birth with DC2 although, like you OP, I was terrified it would make it much worse.

As it happened, although DC2 was pretty big (almost 11lb), the prolapse did not worsen at all.

Now DC2 is 16 months old and weirdly, my prolapse seems to be improving, and believe me, it was pretty bad! So not sure I'll end up having surgery after all.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Thanks so much everyone. Really appreciate your experiences.

What exercises did you do, shimmy, and what is epi? Sorry if I'm being thick.

It's amazing a few have found the prolapse improving on its own (my experience too). Maybe our body knows how to repair naturally.

The improvement stories are veey reassuring! daddypig thank you for starting this thread!
I'm due in 2 more days so not long to go now!

Good luck huffpot.hope it all goes well.

I feel no shame in my prolapse now - at the start I was so embarrassed. GPs are embarrassed. And then I thought - this is ridiculous! We all have to compare notes and help ourselves.

Thanks!
I know there is such a stigma about prolapse but its amazing how many women are affected when you speak about it.

Hi OP, this is the epi no

www.epi-no.co.uk

I umm-ed and ahh-ed for ages before investing but in the end decided my vagina was priceless - so traumatised by first birth and the tearing. It's had quite a few positive reviews on this forum. My prolapse actually felt a bit better after each use for a bit. I also did a lot of Pilates for pregnancy which was 3 hrs a week focusing on pelvic floor. I also didn't really 'push' but breathed down the baby (hypnobirthing method).

It may be that nothing above made a difference but I certainly felt a lot more positive and prepared. But my midwives and dr think it made a difference.

Thanks shimmy interesting looking contraption! Did you use it post delivery, too, to help the prolapse?

I didn't need to, but you can.