Rectocele (bowel prolapse)

[Gerdticker]

Does anyone have any experience with or advice about Rectoceles - a bowel prolapse where the bowel wall pushes through into the vaginal canal?

I had DC2 last week and think I definitely have one ... when I need to go for a poo, there’s an uncomfortable feeling of fullness in my vagina too.

Do I need to go and see a Physio or doctor? Any chance they get better on their own?

Any thoughts gratefully received!!

Hey - what you’re feeling is most likely totally normal post delivery, and most likely will get better over time! It’s a good idea to see a pelvic floor Physio - they’re awesome. They can examine you (and are probably more experience at that than a lot of GPs), they will be able to see if there’s a significant problem needing medical attention (which isn’t super likely), can make sure you’re doing pelvic floor exercises correctly. There’s not really too much of a hurry - try go sometime in the next couple of months (sooner to put your mind at ease if you need to).
In the meantime start doing some kegels (you can google and there are various apps as well), and make sure you don’t get constipated - common with breastfeeding especially, hydrate ++, fibre, laxatives if you need. And try not to lift too much - just baby if you can, let others do the housework.
The hormone changes in pregnancy and breastfeeding can definitely make prolapse feel worse so it can even get better months down the track.
You shouldn’t really need a doctor for this unless you have extra concerns or are worried it might be something else - but if you have a good GP you could definitely see them instead of Physio as well.
Hope that helps.

And congrats on your new baby :)

Thank you @TenThousandSpoons0 thats sooo helpful

(I’m sure you’ve given me great advice before .. I had a traumatic experience with delivery of DC1 and you gave me great help.. so just to let you know DC2 was born in the water at the local hospital last week without incident, and is a perfect little thing! Thank you For taking the time to come on here to help mums like me, it’s so appreciated! Xx)

Oh that’s so great!! Had to search to see the previous threads :) always happy if I can be helpful to anyone. Congrats again - my wee girl is now 8 weeks, the time just flies!

Yes as PP said, it does sound normal. After my third I was convinced I had a uterine prolapse, I felt like it was coming down or that something was coming down, for weeks after tbh. My Dr was unconcerned and sure enough after a while it went back to normal. I can't remember exactly how long it took but I do remember it was much longer than I expected. Week 2 post delivery is still so early, you will still be very out of sorts even if you think you are mostly back to normal -inside things are still very much still repairing. X

I hope I can give you some reassurance. I had clear symptoms of a rectocele after DD2, but the problems went away almost entirely around 12 months postpartum. If you still have problems after that, absolutely have it looked at, but even after a whole year with "wonky" vaginal walls (for want of a better word!) it's still possible to have complete recovery.

Avoiding constipation also helps a lot. Drink lots of water and maybe eat a bowl of fruit & fibre cereal every day.

Congratulations on your lovely baby!

Thank you soooo much @calimommy and @TheVamoosh that’s so reassuring

Sorry if TMI, but exactly what clear symptoms of rectocele did you have?

I can see it but I’m hoping for it to be grade 1 or super mild.

I’m an avid runner and currently panicking if they tell me I cannot run anymore

@TheVamoosh what clear symptoms of rectifier exactly?

Did it go away completely? I’m 12 weeks pp and really panicking