Prolapse

[HotelCal]

Just been diagnosed grade 2 prolapse after birth. Can't stop crying about as feel quality of life is already being severely impacted. Can't lift children, go on long walks, exercise etc. Debating whether I just put my children in full time childcare. Really worried about impact on relationship. Seeing a physio but hard to know if this will go away or I just have to live a restricted life. Any advice please as I'm despairing.

If physio doesn't work you have other options, you can try a pessary or surgery. It is very distressing though, it has taken me 3 months to get a diagnosis after being told I didn't have a prolaspe, when I knew I did. I have just started physio and have been told 3 to 5 months to see an improvement.

I’m sorry you’re going through this. This happened to me 2.5 years ago and it’s improved a lot since then - I can now pretty much do most things (also had a grade 2). Work on your pelvic floor, and do a core strengthening programme like Mutu - it’ll definitely help. I wish you the best.

I had one after having my son. Everytime I stood up I felt like something dropped out of me. I went to physio and did so many pelvic floor exercises. I was like u. Hated moving etc etc. I also started holding my breath when moving which nearly had me pass out a few times. It took a while but it did get better. It does come back every now and then. But for the most I don’t feel it. It will get better and u won’t feel like this forever. Get urself a good physio.

Thank you all 🙏🏻 Can I just ask, if not too personal when people say it improves, does that mean it can move back up somewhat, is it always visible? What kind of lifestyle modulations did you make? Wondering how far I should go with these.

It’s still there for me if I feel for it, and occasionally after being on my feet all day or lifting heavy things I’ll get a heavy feeling down there. When this happens I spend 15 mins or so lifting my hips on a bolster and it helps. If I’m honest I don’t run as much as I used to pre pregnancy as I feel this makes it worse for me. Otherwise, I do pretty much everything I did before.

Good to know. I really wish I had a basic awareness before giving birth and it wouldn't be so frightening. From where I'm at being able to run at all would be a big achievement.

I have three prolapses (I’m probably much older than you - my youngest is now 18)
Recommend seeing a physio to get you on track with exercises. It takes a while but I’m symptom free most of the time now. It is manageable. Best tip is to avoid constipation. There’s a fb page with lots of info and lovely ladies on there for support. Fpops uk if you search it.

And I’m furious that women aren’t made more aware - my physio lady says we’ve been so let down on this issue.

I am just learning how detrimental constipation is in real time. I'm taking something to help with it but unsure how I'll manage long term. It's ruining my precious time with my baby having which I now expect to be my last. Thank you all for your understanding.

Topical vaginal oestrogen can be helpful too.
Do you know where the actual prolapse is!? Eg front wall, back wall, uterus? This can have an impact on different symptoms.
There's some really good information on the POGP website, and some nice information leaflets you can download that are aimed at patients.

I'm think it's rectum and what looks to me like one other area. Is there somewhere I should go for an official diagnosis like a gyne and if so what qs would be important to ask?

A physio will diagnose your prolapses and grades. And get you started on the correct exercises. I was also hypertonic which caused horrible symptoms and she helped me with that too. In my experience GPS are useless and disinterested.

I feel completely fobbed off by midwives I have given birth with. Does anyone know if this as a result

Does anyone know if this could be as a result of something that happened during the birth. Thank you.

This was me at the start of 2021 OP, also grade 2. Thankfully pelvic floor physio has made a huge difference, and I barely feel it any more. Are you breastfeeding? This makes it worse unfortunately! Definitely persevere with the physio. I felt very down too, but it has got much, much better.

Thanks all again. Hearing others experiences is giving me some hope, this thread is far more useful than any other info I've found online.

Lots of things can make it feel worse.

But they can improve so have hope.

Mine felt worse after baby 1 and feels better after baby 2 🤷🏼‍♀️

But make sure you are seeing a proper women’s health physio specifically trained - and not just a physio who suggests kegals.
They will do internal work and are amazing.
You may need to pay privately to access them. And they will get you moving again. And give exercises for core etc that won’t put excessive pressure on pelvic floor.
They can teach you how to breath through the exercises to reduce pressure and make best of the muscle movement.

Have a read or listen to Why Mums Don’t Jump. Helen talks really openly about her experience of prolapse, you may find it helpful as your navigate this x

Yes also recommend this.

Did you all share your diagnosis with friends/family? Did anyone give up breastfeeding because of it?

@HotelCal I gave up slightly earlier with BF than I would have liked (7ish months), but tbh DD loved food so much when she started weaning, I may have just given up any way and transitioned to formula. She'd had a bottle from the start (expressed milk and sometimes formula) so that wasn't an issue either. I must admit I did notice a difference in the prolapse when I gave up. I also used to notice it was much worse when I had my period. Part of it is definitely hormone related.

Thanks again all. The more I look into this the more it seems that there's no proper cure. The surgery available all seems to use mesh or have a rubbish success rate. I keep thinking things are getting better and then getting very symptomatic. I'm now working with a physio private but how drastic should I go in trying to alter my lifestyle to help? Should I get extra childcare? Should I bother making drastic changes if there's no real cure?

hiya, I know this is an older post, how are you now if you don’t mind me asking? I’m literally in the same boat as you were it has me so worried and the constant pain and discomfort really brings me down. Doesn’t help I have postnatal depression. I’m 31, 8 weeks postpartum and have only just been referred to physio but I’m scared it won’t work and I’m stuck like this! Thank you for posting, seeing this thread has made me feel a tad better. Thank you!

Hi there @Firsttimemummie I'm feeling so much better thank you. It was a horrible few months where I had to cut back on day to day activities to avoid bad symptoms. Im having far more asymptomatic days, don't want to speak too soon as I know things are unpredictable. Hormones appear to play a massive role and when they start to shift it can help with healing along with pt. What kind of prolapse and grade do you have?

@cpat122 oh amazing, how long did it take for you to start feeling better?I’ve heard hormones have a massive shift of them so I’ve got my fingers crossed, I’m not sure yet but I know it’ll be at least grade 2, I think it’s pretty bad but I haven’t seen my physio yet (appointment on the 6th March) and they can tell me different. I’m glad you’re feeling so much better because it is really horrid! x

@Firsttimemummie a few months at least and I don't think I'm fully there but much improved. If you're in the position go get a private physio for even one apt, they can show you how to do the exercises properly and give you the grade and you can start now and try to optimise healing. If not, lots of people here recommended the habit dvd or something like that which has helped millions worldwide, available on Amazon for 15 pound. Also have a look at postpartum prolapse on instagram, a physio who has same issues. Call in any extra help if you have available. It's really distressing and I'm sure extra tough with ppd. The rate of ppd is 40 percent with those who have prolapse apparently. It's opened my eyes hugely to the state of women's healthcare. I'm really thankful to threads like these that have been a massive help.