Rectocele and future pregnancies

[xTinkerbell]

Went to GP yesterday after noticing a bulge inside my vagina and was told it was a rectocele. I have no symptoms other than the bulge being there. GP basically said one of those things with having a baby and to work on my pelvic floor and that in the future I’d probably need surgery but not until I was at retiring age.

I’m 28 and have one baby, who was a c section. However, got right to pushing stage, pushed for maximum time then forceps were attempted so assuming this is where the damage has been done?

Anyway, we would like to have 3 more children and already know future deliveries will be c section. GP said rectocele wouldn’t cause me any problems with this but I just worry that 3 more pregnancies will cause too much damage.

Never thought this is something I’d be dealing with after just 1 baby

Hi hun there's an amazing group on Facebook called fpops uk. Thousands of women with prolapse and lots of experience. I too have a rectocele after my 2nd baby. No interventions but I did too much too soon after the birth I think.

Id defo recommend contacting a women's health physio privately or getting referred. GPS don't really give the best advice and quite commonly give advice which can be more damaging. Such as just go away and do loads of kegels. This can actually over work the muscles and make things worse. A women's physio will assess you and come up with a plan. After 4 months I couldn't feel mine anymore, but it depends on how severe it is .

I'm 34 and I've you just wonder why has this happened so young. :(

From the info I have gotten from the Facebook group, generally c sections don't make them worse but the weight of carrying the baby can put pressure so its important to keep up the exercises now and forever 💪 x

Thank you for the reply! Have joined the Facebook group and have an appt set up for physio on Feb 1st. Thought I might need to weir a while on a referral and keen to get help sooner rather than later.

I don’t really have many symptoms with mine, I’m aware it’s there and probably have some mild symptoms so hopefully physio helps.

It’s horrible isn’t it? I never thought I’d be facing something like this at this age

Having 4 sections could do you more damage that a rectocele... would you consider a VBAC?

That's great you're getting to see the physio. Mine made such a difference. I was having a very heavy feeling even though it was only grade 1 and I'm so glad physio took that away. Im guilty of not keeping the exercises up . Its been a year since I stopped feeling it so forget but should be doing them regularly:(

Ps you may find that you feel it a bit around ovulation and your period but that's very normal. Something to do with hormones but it usually only lasts a day for me which I can deal with :) x

@FelicityBob I’m not allowed VBAC. My first baby was back to back and stuck trying to turn. Surgeon who carried out my EMCS said from his experience the same thing will happen again as I have a small pelvis. I’ve already discussed the 4 sections thing with a midwife who has said obviously it depends on what they find when they go in for future sections but if all looks okay with scar tissue etc there’s no reason I can’t. HowverC the risks do go up with each one.

@Anony79 glad to hear it made such a difference for you. Fingers crossed I’m the same!

That’s also helpful to know, I’m on my period atm and finding I feel it a lot more than I have