Riding with newly diagnosed prolapse

[busybee345]

Hi everyone,

I have posted a similar threat on the H&H forum but I just wanted to try and catch a wider audience here too.

My baby is 8 weeks old and I have just been diagnosed with a stage 2 prolapse. I am pretty devastated about what this might mean for my riding and showjumping (and to be honest exercise in general but I would never run again if it meant i could still ride). I am no pro, but would like to be able to get back to jumping 1m or so. I am waiting to see a private women's health physio who specialises in sports and prolapse, but I tend to find riding is one of those sports that the medical profession don't have a proper understanding of (no criticism) and will generalise about.

I'm sure there are many women out there who also have a prolapse and are still riding. There are so many women competing and given how common prolapse is I just cant believe that there is no-one else out there in the same boat!

So basically, this is a plea for any women out there in similar circumstances to give me some hope? How are you managing? Have you had to cut back? I'm praying for some positive stories. I have ridden and competed my whole life and the thought not riding is unbearable.

Could you explain what has prolapsed, from the title I thought a disc in your back but if you’ve just had a baby maybe bladder or uterus?

No, sorry not my back, its a rectocele and cystocele.

I am not a serious rider, like you. OP but I did have a slight prolapse and what H&H posters call “The Inverness Problem” when riding after having my 2 children. Riding a bouncy horse was impossible. I saw a women’s health phisio on the NHS and diligently did the exercises. It took a while but after 3 months I was cured in all other circumstances and after 6 I could ride with confidence again. I have carried on doing the exercises ever since. Good luck.