2.5 weeks postpartum- Prolapse? Normal?

[Frogglingalong]

Hello MN, please help a first time mum out.

Following a fairly unpleasant birth (midwife didn't believe I was as far along as I was, told me to take a paracetamol and have a shower when I phoned, twenty minutes later husband had to phone back because I needed to push, so I did most of labour on a major A road- got to hospital fully dialted and ended up on my back pushing for almost 5 hours, three failed ventouse attempts and two goes on the forceps with episiotomy) I am honestly adrift in terms of postpartum recovery, what is normal, and what level of support it's reasonable to expect.

We were on the postnatal ward for 4 days with no-one explaining why- I wasn't physically examined once apart from blood pressure checks and temperature and had to ask 4 different people to change my maternity pad when I was waiting for spinal anaesthetic to wear off. Since then midwives and health visitor have seemed more interested in filling in forms than providing answers.

For those of you who might have had similar symptoms, can I ask if these turned out to be a prolapse or other significant issue, and how you got treatment?

The pain from the episiotomy has gone, and the stitches seem to have healed (albeit with everything in the immediate area a bit wonky). But I'm still feeling:

• sense of pressure in vulva and vagina, more or less constantly when standing, to the extent that it is not comfortable to stand or walk for more than 10 or so minutes at a time.

• feeling of something in vagina, like badly positioned tampon.

• sudden need to poo. Hard poos will suddenly move down right into anus, requiring a quick dash to toilet. No actual soiling so far.

• no problem holding in wee- haven't wet myself.

• impossible to complete bowel movement. Have to essentially poke the last bit back in when wiping.

• Have finally examined myself and can see wall of vagina at vagina opening.

• feel significant bulge at front wall of vagina. Can't really direct fingers up, but can go backwards behind bulge, if you see what I mean.

Various med professionals have just said "mm" and nodded when I've explained. Is this normal for 2.5 weeks PP? If not, if I ask GP to examine me, am I likely to be told to wait to 6 week appt?

Wish NCT had covered some of this...

Thank you.

Hey there 👋🏻

I had a couple of traumatic births too and also had a lot of prolapse like symptoms initially. Your 6 week check with a GP would be a good place to start asking for help with anything you're concerned about. You may well find that by 6 weeks a lot of these symptoms are gone - you're still in the early stages.

I had an instrumental birth and episiotomy with my first birth and tearing with my second. I have a lot of scar tissue and nothing looks the same (or pleasant 😂) but it all works.

All I can say is time is a healer. I would say 3 months after my birth experience most of the symptoms I truly panicked over were almost gone. Never be afraid to seek medical advice, but I hope this could be a bit reassuring. Wishing you a speedy recovery 😊 x

I had a cystocele (bladder prolapse) after my second son was born, he was 9lb 5oz 🥴 I knew something wasn't right after I left the hospital probably a couple of weeks later, it didn't strike me immediately I have to say. I had some rock solid BMs and, like you, couldn't get the last part out unless I did it manually (if you know what I mean). I took lots of photos and could see a bulge (hope nobody ever has full access to my photo library 😂) and at my 6 week GP check I brought it up. She said to wait and see and I did, I went back to the GP around 5 weeks later as still same feeling of a bulge and some issues with bowel movements.

GP referred me to women's health physiotherapy at the hospital and the PT saw me about a week later after a cancellation. I had read lots about kegels etc and she said actually my pelvic floor was tense rather than too relaxed and she felt the bladder prolapse would improve as hormones from pregnancy faded. I was also breastfeeding which she said could delay things improving. However, I did the relaxation exercises she recommended, took Movicol from the GP for about six months to soften stools and worked on my diet a little - not a lot, I have to say. I joined the POPS group on FB which is so helpful. My situation improved with these minor things and maybe would have anyway, some women do need or do want to try the other suggested rings etc and surgery is a possibility for some women way down the line. However, it is very early days for you, without wanting to minimise the distress you feel which I understand and which is very real. You can see your GP prior to the 6 week check and explain your difficulties, they will hopefully agree to refer you to women's health physio there and then so you are ahead by a few weeks on the waiting list. I hope things improve, they can and do for many and hopefully that will be the case for you.

I had some of the symptoms you described and you'll be pleased to hear it wasn't a prolapse.

However, they are symptoms of a prolapse so best to get checked.

Your GP will have no idea what they're looking at or feeling, so if possible find a private women's health physio or book a Mummy MOT and they will be able to tell you.

If you don't have the means to go private (it's about £120) then you can still call the MAU up to 4 weeks postpartum at my trust so that might be an option.

Thank you all- these replies have made me feel a lot better and the situation a lot less apocalyptic!

Yes I had this with my 1st. Episiotomy and forceps delivery followed by dodgy stitch up. It took me a good couple of months to feel ok standing for long periods at a time. Definitely wasn't standing for too long 2 week pp! No prolapse and I've been pregnant 2 times since. Expecting no3 shortly. Give your body at good couple of months to recover and then if it still feels bad get checked out. Just remember your insides have taken an absolute battering with the delivery you've had. Be kind to yourself.

@Frogglingalong just wondering how you are getting on now? Have your symptoms eased?