Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

My insides just fell out!

55 replies

ImBrian · 20/04/2015 20:47

My son is 5 months old (baby number 5) and my pelvic floor has always been fine (no incontinence) though I'll admit to slacking on the pelvic floor exercises since I've had him.

I just went to the toilet and my insides came out my vagina!!! A fairly large bulge and I had to push it back up!!

I'm now lying on my back madly doing pelvic floor exercises and wondering what I'm supposed to do!

Any advice? I'm guessing weight lifting at crossfit tomorrow is a bad idea?

OP posts:
TheSpottedZebra · 20/04/2015 20:49

Dr's for you. And yes, no weight lifting!
Sounds like a prolapse.

VivaLeBeaver · 20/04/2015 20:55

See gP. Ask for a physio appt to make sure you're doing exercises correctly and maybe get some of those weighted fanny cones you shove up your vagina. Physio will be able to recommend if you need them or not.

PotteringAlong · 20/04/2015 20:57

It might just be a very large pile? Definitely gp and definitely no weight lifting!

paxtecum · 20/04/2015 20:58

Try not to lift,don't use a sling,

Original poster
ImBrian · 20/04/2015 21:05

Not out my bum, definitely out vagina! I thought my pelvic floor was good Confused I don't pee myself and I can tighten and hold for a fair while!

What about running? I have a 10k race in two weeks that I've been training for Sad

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 20/04/2015 22:10

I think running is notorious for making your vagina fall out. One of my gynacologist friends says she never goes running for that reason! But then another gynaecologist friend runs a lot so who knows? I think if I had a problem I wouldn't do it until it was checked out.

DuckChowMein · 20/04/2015 22:30

Yes, no lifting and get to gp. Let us know how you get on.

And thanks for the reminder to do pelvic floors! My ds is slightly younger than yours and like you i thought i'd got away with it. Just goes to show you never know!

And...clench! Grin

Original poster
ImBrian · 20/04/2015 22:35

I'm sat here clenching like mad! I can cope with my insides falling out just not stopping running. I think it's the only thing keeping me sane.

I'll phone the doctors first thing.

OP posts:
MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday · 20/04/2015 23:08

Defo no running, sorry.... very bad for prolapses.. (been there, got the t shirt)

It may improve on its own a bit but if it has actually fallen that far... you need to see the docs as you may need a hitch up op!

Any high impact exercise will worsen a prolapse and running is one of the worst unfortunately. You REALLY don't want to make it worse.

VivaLeBeaver · 20/04/2015 23:17

I'm beginning to wonder if I have a prolapse. I can't feel a bulge but I have a feeling of pressure all the time. I'm slightly urge incontinent. If I lean forward once I finish weeing and touch my toes a bit more wee falls out.

If I try and do my pelvic floor nothing moves!

I've been getting treated for a chronic uti for five years but sometimes I wonder if the consultant is barking up the wrong tree.

oneowlgirl · 20/04/2015 23:23

Oh goodness, definitely get to GP. I didn't realise running was so bad re prolapses??? What can you do to keep running but avoiding prolapses?

VivaLeBeaver · 20/04/2015 23:26

Well if exercises don't help you can have an anterior mesh repair where they sew a little mesh hammock into your vagina to keep it up.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 20/04/2015 23:45

Running and prolapses are definitely not a good combination, you can keep it safer by using low strides, running on grass, keeping to short runs and really working on core/PF strength. However some core exercises are also bad, crunches in particular. Lifting weights is also not good I'm afraid. Google Michelle Kenway, her website is full of good advice for those of us in the fallen fanjo club.

Surgery is a possibility but it is major and not to be undertaken lightly, also a fairly high risk of failure if you don't maintain good lifestyle habits afterwards.

GingerCuddleMonster · 20/04/2015 23:53

I rally hope you have not been dead lifting, doing snatches or running lenghty distances 20weeks post partum. Your crossfit coach should have told you no to these and slam balls. Basically your body really can't cope with high impact rxcercise till about 8/9months post partum.

you should have just concentrated on low level core and pelvic excersises till now.

I was warned by my crossfit box to basically do hardly anything till at least 6months then look at building up gradually, something to do with the pressure in the core and on the pelvis. Sad

please see your go, hope it heals ok Thanks

pinkfrocks · 21/04/2015 12:49

Running is a no no. I have had a repair and was told no high impact exercise ever- that means running, jumping, lots of Pilates positions and more.

Have a look at the website of Michelle Kenway- Ozzie physio- for safe exercises for women with pelvic floor issues.

pinkfrocks · 21/04/2015 12:50

Viva your infections are possibly the result of incomplete emptying caused by your bladder falling below the level of the urethra. Stale urine gets left behind and then an infection can set in. Sounds like a repair might be needed?

toodles · 21/04/2015 12:59

Has anyone done Mutu? It's an exercise programme specifically for Mums and does a lot of core training. It does say that normal situps/crunches should never be done by Mums.
I have the programme and plan to start it soon.

alteredimage · 21/04/2015 13:52

Welcome to a club no one wants to be in. I'm 6 days post repair surgery prompted by a difficult forceps delivery 19 years ago.

It is really important to find out what is wrong and then take sensible precautions. I managed to ignore problems until post menopause, but weaker muscle tone caused the vagina to go south dragging my bowel and bladder. (Yuk!)

If you Google Kegel (the guy who invented the standard exercise) and something like Mayo you will get reasonable instructions. What more difficult is working out what other exercise you can do. Twisting and bouncing is not good. Nor is anything that puts downward pressure on internal organs. I've just downloaded the NHS exercise app 'Squeezy' for when I have recovered a bit but don't know how good it is.

It's also important to keep your weigh within the normal range and to avoid constipation/straining.

Lots of this is advice midwives give at a point when you are focused on a new baby. Repair surgery is pretty major and means you are out of action for 6 weeks and still recovering for a long time after that. There is apparently a 30% fail rate, and obviously a need to follow instructions pretty religiously for ever more.

The positives are that pelvic floor exercises can really help and even if not rings/pessaries seem to work for a lot of people.

Good luck all!

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 21/04/2015 14:44

I'm 2.5 years post-op for posterior repair and have an asymptomatic anterior prolapse too.

I use an exercise DVD called HAb-it, which is designed by a women's health physio to exercise my core and PF. I also go to pilates and ballet classes, both teachers are aware of my condition and help me modify the exercises as required. For cardio I swim and power walk. I am very aware of which things put pressure on it and which are safe now so making a call on which things I can and can't lift, pull and push in daily life has become second nature now, and I engage my PF muscles all the time when I lift things etc.

Original poster
ImBrian · 21/04/2015 17:05

Oh god how are you supposed to exercise! The cross fit was a free taster class so no weight lifting yet. I run between 5 & 10k 3 times a week and have done since baby was 8 week old. Also do abs exercises as my cores weak. I love exercise and the thought of not being able to is horrible!

Everything's stayed put today (including when I had a poo) and feels fine. I've had a feel and there's a low down buldge on the back wall but that's been there for years tbh.

I thought I was 'safe' as I don't pee myself Sad and I can squeeze my pelvic floor and hold it.

I've ordered a weights kit from boots to use and have an appointment in two weeks to see a doctor.

OP posts:
pinkfrocks · 21/04/2015 17:14

I'm sorry but you will have to stop running!
Also the abs work- it just pushes your pelvic floor down.
I'd love to run, but simply can't.
You can do brisk walking, swimming and cycling.

You don't have to wee yourself with a prolapse and it's also quite possible to do squeezes if you have a problem.

I had 6 weeks of electro-physio which is electrodes on the pubic area with helps stimulate the muscles but I still needed a repair.

The advice is to do your PF exercises- 50 a day- for 6 months, then re-assess.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 21/04/2015 17:55

Well, I'm glad it has all gone back in, but you really need to take it as a warning and stop high impact exercise I'm afraid. Being able to hold a squueze is good, keep doing your PF exercises and when you see your GP ask for a referral to a women's health physio.

piggychops · 21/04/2015 18:04

Yoga and body balance are good too. High impact exercise is out even after a surgical repair. You really need to listen to your body.
Ask for referral to gynae physio, not regular physio. I thought I was contracting my pelvic floor well, but I was way off.

piggychops · 21/04/2015 18:10

Oh also, the physio explained there are 2 kinds of exercise for PFloor.
Squeeze hard and hold for 10 secs then relax.repeat 10 times. Do this 4 times daily.
Short contractions each 1 sec as hard as you can. Do a set of 10. Repeat 4 times daily.

Icyblue · 21/04/2015 19:25

Hi ladies, I'd 3 vaginal births but never did pelvic floor exercise. I don't have prolapse but stress incontinence. Is it OK to speed walk on a treadmill?

Swipe left for the next trending thread