Cystocele AND rectocele prolapse

[Whatelsecouldibecalled]

9 months pp after difficult vaginal deliver which resulted in a 3c tear needing big repair in theatre as torn front to back and into uterus. Horrendous recovery. Thought things were going ok. Recently not been feeling right in my vagina. Pain and dragging sensation back. GP today has confirmed a cystocele and rectocele prolapse. Basically both my bladder and rectum are falling to my vagina. I’m so so upset. I’m only 32. Just had my first baby. I’m being referred to gynae but just wondered if anyone else has had this and what the outcome was?

Hello Covidwoes
I will see the gynae on Tuesday so maybe I will have more news then!
From what I have read from the lovely people on here and on the slightly more frightening internet, the pelvic floor muscles are the KEY to everything! It also seems very very common for women to have this problem, although no-one ever talks about it!
I have vowed to become EXCELLENT at pelvic floor exercises and also tell every friend I see to do their exercises...
Hello whatelsecouldibecalled - thanks for starting this thread! Sorry if I am de-railing it!

I second the recommendation for the hab-it dvd! Plus my physio recommended little cones you can buy to hold inside your foof. One of her ladies used it when she did her tesco shop!

Plus, may sound really silly/strange but I found dragging and heavy feeling worse different times of month linked to cycle and hormones and I found it so much better to work out which days to expect it to feel worse then I could say to myself 'well, you know this is always a particularly bad day and you know too in 3 days time it will feel a bit better again.' Would sometimes help me to copy mentally on days when the uncomfortable feeling can be all consuming.

Jet888 that's a really good idea. My last 2 periods have been a bit of a nightmare and I did feel a real pulling sensation which was really unpleasant - that is good to know that it happens to other people!
The cone sounds a little dangerous - what happens if it falls out in the middle of the supermarket?!

I think one of the dominant hormones at that cycle stage relaxes muscles which makes feeling worse - you can tell from my highly technical language I am clearly an expert, ha!
I know, I would worry about a cone falling out in the fruit and veg section... when I was fairly recently post partum I tried one and unfortunately sneezed with it in...I felt like one of those ping pong ladies on Thailand...

Jet888 I have a very funny mental image now....
We all end up being experts thanks to Dr. Google! Although I have mostly just become an anxious mess because of my research...

Really try not to let it overwhelm you, although I know easier said that done when your body feels not right. As lots of the other ladies have confirmed, it happens to lots of people (even if they don't shout about it in person) and women's physio and being helped and taught by the physio to do proper pelvic floors can really, really help.

Thanks jet888 I really feel better thanks to reading this thread. I am still nervous to hear what the gynae says on tuesday but I will write my questions and worries on a paper I think.
I think the real winning poi t is avoid being constipated- I was a bit this morning and for the first time I did feel the rectocele. So water is the way to go!

@sleepy78 I'm pretty sure I have a rectocele. I was prescribed laxido and lactulose by my GP and I must admit being less constipated has helped a bit. Oh the glamour!

Evening covidwoes
Yes, these are lovely topics for conversation! And that is why I am so happy to have you lovely people to talk to!
Congrats for the baby btw! From what I have read, it is easier to repair the damage just after the birth rather than 7 years later like me!

Can anyone share any recommended links for tips to improve / manage symptoms

I've just made a thread then found this. How do you know you have a prolapse? There's nothing coming out of my vagina but I'm feeling heavy down there. I use a mooncup which I have now found out can cause prolapse
I've tried googling to see what one looks like but not much luck.

@JinglingHellsBells can i ask you about your experience I have a low womb and a rectocele but want to keep my womb I’m only 27 with one baby 🥲