Postpartum prolapse

[SassyFo]

Hi,

My baby is now 3 weeks old and I had to have a forcep birth with an episiotomy. The stitches were very painful for 2 weeks after but finally healed.
I noticed after this however that inside my vagina was bulgy anc it occurred to me that the difficulty I was having when going to the toilets may be due to a prolapse.
When I approached the gyno team about this they more or less fobbed it off saying it was normal for they of labour I had and I would need to do pelvic floor exercises for at least 6 months before they would entertain looking further into it. My concern is that everything I've read of prolapse suggests an operation.
Has anyone else experienced a bulging as they healed that got better?
Thanks

Hello, I experienced the same.

Mild/moderate cystocele diagnosed at 6 weeks PP. My GP referred me to women's health physio and a uro gynae.

I had one physio appointment where the therapist 'tested' my pelvic floor and checked that I was doing the exercises properly then discharged me saying it may well heal itself.

Uro gynae was useless and didn't want to consider any intervention as it wasn't severe enough to warrant it, apparently.

I'm pleased to say that after a few months it did become asymptomatic and hasn't impacted my quality of life, I just have to avoid heavy lifting where possible and high impact exercise like running.

If I didn't know I had one then I would be none the wiser.

I'm actually pregnant again at the moment so bracing myself for it to get worse postpartum but if that happens then I'll be alot firmer with the HCP's about wanting a pessary fitted. They are a popular alternative to surgery for women with symptomatic bulges.

There are also kegal machines you can buy that do alot of the pelvic floor exercises for you, I've heard great things about them.

Thank you for sharing this with me. It's really good to know details from someone else in the same position.
The idea of not being able to do normal things like running is quite depressing and similar to you, the Dr shirked from giving any details on how to get a pessary. I'm only aware of this as my mother suffered the same issue abd relied on one for years.
I've bought kegal weights so I'll use these now with a bit more confidence that yours healed up better from doing these exercises.
Thank you

Hi @SassyFo, how are you doing now if you don’t mind me asking? I’m in a similar position to yourself, nearly 3 weeks PP and required an episiotomy but suspect a prolapse. I’ve stressed myself googling so just wondered whether you’ve had any improvement and if so how? The thought of not being able to do high impact exercise or running is really concerning as this is something I enjoyed prior to pregnancy. Thanks in advance! X

Hi. I wasn't part of the original thread but I had a prolapse after my first 2 years ago and am currently 38 weeks pregnant with my second. If you are 3 weeks post partum I would still go and see a physio ASAP and get yourself checked out. It probably is a prolapse but they will be able to tell you which type it is and give you a programme of exercises. You can't make it go away but you can stop the symptoms and the feeling of it. I was doing pretty well until I got pregnant again and I am really suffering now.
I know I might need surgery at some point but will put it off as soon as possible.
You don't have to give up on running though. I am not sure if I am allowed to post recommendations on here but if you follow the Physio Mum on Instagram or Claire Bourne Physio they have loads of really great info about returning to exercise. I also follow Pop up lift. You might need support underwear or a pessary to be really high impact but it is possible.
Sorry, but I have gone through such a journey emotionally with mine so I understand but part of it with me was acceptance. Good luck!

Hi @Fran919,
Congratulations and also sorry to hear you have prolapse symptoms. It’s a difficult one to answer but I’ll try to be honest and not flower it up.
For the first few months I noticed bulging from the front which I took to be a bladder prolapse. After some time I also noticed a bulge from the back so I felt like both had prolapsed! It’s an awful feeling and acknowledgement and made worse by any googling!
I did contact the Drs and they were less than useless but they made contact with gyno team at the hospital I had my baby and the response was that it was normal and to do pelvic exercises until at least 6 months as they wouldn’t entertain checking me out before that. I also enquired about the pelvic pessary and got a bit of a brush off there.
I guess if I wanted to push the matter I could of but I didn’t bother. Everything was still healing and constant constipation wasn’t helping.
5 months in and there are still two pouch bits but i don’t feel that bad. You get used to it and it’s less sensitive so when I have ran short spurts it doesn’t feel off anymore. I haven’t been good at doing any pelvic exercises so I would imagine it would have lifted more if I had but I think it will always be a bit droopy there where it wasn’t before. All constipation issues and sensitivity has gone now though and it does feel quite normal. It’s a daunting thought at first that it may not go away but try not to worry as you will get used to it and the baby is a great reminder that it’s worth it. Oh and also, I haven’t wet myself so far so it’s not all bad.
I hope that helps.