?Prolapse after recent childbirth

[Foreverbaffled]

Hi,

So I’ve got myself in a right old state worrying about a potential prolapse.

I gave birth to my second child vaginally 2 weeks ago. Very rapid labour (induction) and pushing phase only 10 mins. 2nd degree tear but otherwise great.

A few days after coming out of hospital I noticed a dragging sensation in my vagina which gets worse when I’m on my feet too long. I also feel like I’m not fully emptying my bladder when I wee and have to go back and strain forward a bit to get the last drops out. It all feels fine and normal when I’m
sitting down.

I’ve had an investigate down there (I have no idea what I’m doing) and can definitely feel a fleshy lump/bulge at the front of my vagina which I can push back up a bit. My cervix also feels lower than it did previously (but not reaching as far down to the entrance to my vagina - still a good few cm above.)

I’m really concerned I have a ?bladder prolapse but also maybe a milder uterine prolapse. I spoke to my midwife who couldn’t have been less interested but said I should make an appointment with my GP this week. I’m due to see my GP in a month for my 6 week postnatal check up so should I wait until then? It seems like very early days in my recovery so maybe I should just focus on pelvic floor exercises etc in the meantime?

Any positives stories of prolapse recovery would be really appreciated. I’m breastfeeding which I thought I’d mention as think it can leave everything a bit slack until you stop.

Feel so anxious this is the end of my sex life and might impact on any future babies I may want.

Thanks!

Thanks for the update OP, I'm glad you have some answers.

Like a PP said you can have these things fixed by surgery if you don't want to have to live with it, if that's something you end up considering then don't be fobbed off.

Too often prolapse is thought of as "just one of them things" women have to go through, but it doesn't have to be.

Can you imagine if it was predominantly a male issue? They wouldn't be expected to live with it I'm sure.

Pessaries may also be an option and something to discuss with women's health physio.

Best of luck with the future, as I said before I'm sure things will get better in time by itself as that's the case for many

There's an NHS app that's worth downloading to keep you on track with your exercises. It's called Squeezy.

Although I did delete it after a while because the notifications kept coming up on my locked screen 'time for your 10am squeeze' or somesuch cringy shit when you're in a meeting and your phone flashes

@MillyA you’re absolutely right about this being another one of those “women’s issues” that we’re expected to just get on with. I will definitely push for more intensive treatment if needed. I’m feeling much more confident that I can at least make a small difference with some physio.

I spoke to the private physio today actually and she’s booked me in for January. Feeling so much better now I have a plan. She was also very reassuring and also recommended the squeezy app @IncludeWomenInTheSequel although I may turn off the notifications

@Hellotheresweet There are so many mixed stories about surgery online so it’s great to hear yours has gone well. I’m really pleased.

Hi OP this EXACT thing happened to me and I spent the first 6 months post partum in a complete panic. Go to the doctors and they will refer you to a physio. Despite the fact I was convinced I had a prolapse I hadn't at all. It was literally the vaginal wall sagging. The physio will tell you exactly what exercises you need to be doing and I'm now 2 years down the road and completely back to normal. I ran a half marathon on Sunday with no issues whatsoever. Good luck.

Sorry just read your update that you do have prolapses! My reply was no particularly useful then sorry OP.

Ohh thanks anyway @vickyq1983! Really glad you’re feeling loads better. Yes sadly mine is a prolapse but feeling confident I can make some
improvements.

Hi OP - I have the same thing. Can I ask how your physio went? Was sex ever the same again?

Recently married with our first baby boy and freaking out. Mines a rectocele that protrudes. So depressed about it.
6 weeks PP.

@beansprout55 oh try not to panic. DS2 is 20 months now and all has returned to normal down there thanks to some commitment to kegal exercises! In fact it’s been fine since about 6 month post baby but it did take a lot of work. I’d recommend the squeezy app. Good to get it checked out though - have you been given any advice? Mine was both the anterior and posterior wall, the latter being the fleshy lump that I actually could push back up inside myself - sorry if tmi - sometimes I’d have to push It back in order to poo properly)

Sending loads of sympathy, honestly I was distraught about it too but it’s okay, it is manageable through exercise if not too severe. It’s incredibly early days for you ❤️

And yes, sex is totally normal and fine 🙂

Thanks so much for replying @Foreverbaffled!!

Having it checked on Thursday. I have the Squeezy app and have been doing kegals before and after birth like mad, so surprised. I'm 6 weeks PP.
I lifted the baby bath full of water a few days ago and next thing I wet myself, full flow and couldn't stop it. Discomfort when walking, feel like somethings stuck in there constantly.. On self inspection I can visibly see a fleshy lump at the entrance too and can push it in, from the back wall. So I suspect anterior and posterior prolapse just like you had.

We did DTD a week ago and I was sad to report I was quite loose and felt almost nothing. Is that associated or just a normal part of PP.
Will that get better for me too? 😢😢

I've cried all weekend about this. Upping kegals to 5 sets a day instead of 3.
Has the lump (rectocele?) gone for you?

Thanks OP xx

@beansprout55 yes sounds identical to what I was dealing with too. You have all my sympathy. The lump has totally gone and I don’t have that horrible dragging feeling when walking. Such a relief. I’m sure it will improve for you too. 6 weeks pp is very early days.

We didn’t even have sex until a good 6 months pp so things were much better by then already. I don’t think anyone would expect to feel normal down there so soon so be gentle with yourself x