Prolapse and sex

[toxitears181]

So recently I gave birth to my baby boy who weighed nine pound and had to have a forceps delivery with episiotomy and this past week I've noticed a bump in the opening of my vagina with a lot of pressure waiting doe my six week check to show the midwife to see what it could be. I'm so scared it's a prolapse could I have some experices of others please was sex OK? What tips could you give me? What can I do to relief the uncomfortable feeling in my vagina and is sex possible when my hole has a lump in the way??

Hi, it sounds like a prolapse but please be reassured that you have a lot of healing ahead of you, it being so soon after the birth of your child. I had similar and found it extremely depressing but my symptoms have completely gone, 2 years on.
Rest as much as you can, and try not to lift anything other than your baby. I’ve not noticed any issues with sex - if anything it seemed to help things - but I didn’t attempt anything for 10-12 months (more of a “mood” issue, tbh!).

@fretnot thanks for the response did the doctor recommend anything for you at the time as it feels very uncomfortable and scared to have sex as I think that it will come out or my partner won't get past the bump I know that sounds silly xx

My doc said it takes 18 months for everything to go back into place after birth, so try not to worry. Ask about it at your six week check though, you should be able to get a physio referral for it.
Sex after birth is scary full stop (especially if you’ve had stitches) so give yourself time to heal and take it slowly and gently- there’s no rush. A prolapse won’t necessarily interfere with sex, it just depends where it’s sitting. I would give it a go when you’re ready (and relaxed) and then if it’s sore during sex, seek treatment for it.
I never had a problem before mine was treated, other than feeling self-conscious about it’s appearance. I’m not sure DH even noticed!

I really feel for you as I remember the discomfort so well and just how plain freaky it feels. Don’t worry about anything coming out of you - it’s extremely unlikely. It’s most likely to be a little of your bladder or rectum you can feel through the weakened wall of your vagina; hopefully your GP can tell you something more. Those are both stable things that are not going anywhere, and are soft and squishy - my husband never felt anything odd during sex.

I didn’t find much that the doctor said very helpful, if I’m honest. I was referred to physio, which focussed on pelvic floor exercises. Other people have had great results with them.

Agree with the previous poster that postpartum sex is fraught for so many reasons - for me sex always helped the prolapse. The biggest issue is most likely your own feelings, so be kind to yourself and allow as much time as you need.

Also meant to say beware of reading too much online - a lot of “prolapse talk” is based on experience with post-menopausal women and can lead you to worry too much about an inevitable decline, when the post partum experience is very different. I wish doctors were more knowledgeable about our female bodies!