Surgery for bladder and bowl prolapse post partum

[CateyA]

I have a moderate bladder and bowel prolapse subsequent to pregnancy and labour. It’s two years on and it’s still not much better and making me super miserable. Anyone had surgery for this? Or found anything else that really helps? All advice/ experiences very helpful x

Hello, I’m in a similar situation but 16 weeks PP with second child. There used to be some very active prolapse threads on mumsnet but I’ve struggled to find anything recent.

I’ve been referred to gynaecology by my GP and just got the appointment through - it’s for September! I can’t believe I’m expected to wait that long. I’m looking into private options.

Have you seen the GP?

I’m also trying to rectify it using hypopressives, but am probably not doing enough each week to make a substantial difference.

I had surgery on Friday 4th. Hysterectomy, front and back prolapse repair and sling. Am feeling great-apart from the stitches in my perenium which are shockingly painful :(

Hi ladies join FPOPS UK if you are on fb, loads of advice and support on there, surgery advice and help
Sending hugs xxxx

I had this done years ago after my 2nd pregnancy.
Obviously things will have moved on a bit in terms of how they do it, but I'd say go for it.

A hysterectomy is not usually recommended if they can avoid it, because the uterus gives some support and when it's removed you can get vaginal vault prolapse years later. BUT having said that they can use other techniques to help prevent that. Also worth bearing in mind depending on your age is that often after a hysterectomy the ovaries fail within 2 years, so that would accelerate menopause.

I had front and back prolapse surgery a few years ago, best thing I did, would recommend it for quality of life

Look up Pop fitness of FB & Hypopressives.
The groups aren't just about fitness and can be a wealth of advice.

@Feeellostindirection can I ask you age? Heard so many horror stories. I’m 14 months pp. I feel I had slight prolapse before my baby because of straining but now is worse. I’m sooo bloated , struggle to pass stools and very loose it’s effecting my mental health :( I want an op. Did you go nhs? How long was the wait? Was it hard to get them to refer you? How long did it take

@bridget944 I was 32 at the time of the surgery, had had the prolapse since dc2 was born two years before. He was 10 pounds and a very fast labour. The prolapse was bad enough that I could see the protrusion of the walls at my vaginal entrance, passing stools was very hard and i had a constant draggy/heavy/bloated feeling all the time, especially during my period, and I couldn't use tampons as they fell out. I understand how miserable you must be feeling. I went to the GP who referred me to a specialist nurse who did some tests with a machine that tests you ability to do kegals, also had examination by doctors in that field. Was all done via NHS, I'd say probably a 6 month wait for surgery but this was 10 years ago so pre covid backlogs. Definitely go and see you GP to get the ball rolling as it makes such a difference to your quality of life.

@Feeellostindirection thankyou for your advice. I am booked in to see a doctor just hoping they refer me. I can’t see things coming out but can feel it. What op did you have? What’s your best advice ? Have you had any issues since ? I just want my sex life back. I often feel so uncomfortably bloated when I stand up

I had the front and back wall of my vagina repaired, they literally just cut away the stretched out tissue and bring it together from what I gathered. My cervix was less prolapsed (grade 2, they grade the prolapses) so they left that to see how it went and it's been ok this last ten years, despite having had another baby after surgery (via c section to protect the repair). Best advice would be to express how much it's affecting your life as I think docs are happy to send women away to live with this and it's not a normal expectation after child birth. The pain was minimal from surgery. Hundred percent would do it again.

Your message has given me hope. I feel like the road ahead is going to be very long! Can you still lift and do your every day things ? I currently you have a 1 year old: I want another baby in the future but want this operation more! How long was your recovery time and how was sex before and after ? We’re you in hospital long ? I’m happy it’s stayed out together all these years after !im nervous for my appointment but excited. I’ve told my partner brief bits but too embarrassed to go into full details

Since the surgery I've had jobs that involve lifting lots (health care and children), and also had my 2 year old at the time old my dc 3 afterwards to carry about, it's never affected that. Plus I did weightlifting at the gym for a while and was absolutely fine. As far as my sex life, it made a world of difference, prior to surgery it all felt really slack and numb, afterwards it's not quite back to pre kids but 80% better than pre surgery. I would absolutely recommend it.

@Feeellostindirection this has given me so much hope! I have bladder and bowel prolapses after my first child and not in a much better situation 2yr on. I’m not 100% sure we have finished our family and my urogyn said it’s fine to have an ELCS after prolapse repair surgery but I’ve seen so many others say even the weight of pregnancy can cause you to reprolapse. Who did your surgery? How many weeks were you when they did the ECLS? How long was it before you could lift your children again? Thanks!