Have I got a prolapse?

[Lilian46]

Hi, this is my first post and I am rather nervous and I don't have anyone I can really turn too for advice.

I had my baby boy 2 weeks ago. His labour was very long and I had complications after his birth with my placenta being fully retained after my cervix closed trapping it inside my womb. Due to heamoraging I opted to have a manual removal. This involved a doctor forcing her hand and arm inside my womb and manually pulling the placenta out I also needed to be fitted with a catheter as this apparently helps with placenta issues. This is also my 4th child. All 4 were vaginal deliveries. My 1st was a 56 hour labour with a ventouse delivery, my 2nd was 2 hours, and 3rd was 5 hours. My 3rd also had complications from a broken down placenta requiring manual removal however the placenta was in pieces and removed with utensils. A couple days after I gave birth to my 4th little man, I took a look down there to see how the grazes etc appeared. To my horror I could see 3 bulges from inside the vagina. I googled it and discover pelvic organ prolapse. I had an online appointment with my doctor who attempted to reassure me that at this point and up until 6 weeks postpartum as I'm not suffering major discomfort or any incontinence issues, she would suggest waiting as she suspects it is more likely swelling and bruising that with pelvic floor exercises will improve by then. It does appear slightly less prominent now that I'm 2 weeks postpartum however I am struggling emotionally trying to work out if this is likely to be a prolapse and how serious it may be. My urethra appears to be larger and open which I've never seen before. Along with what looks like 3 bulges the size of blueberries they appear to lean straight across my vaginal entrance. They are still inside the entrance but literally just inside.

Sorry for the long post but I am feeling incredibly anxious and feel the hormones may be making me even more emotional. The 6 week appointment feels so far away. I have been doing my pelvic floor exercises but feel they may not help as I have done them since I was 18 and I'm now 32. Thank you if you have made it this far on my post.

[Taluh]

Have you got pain at all? A pulling feeling? Or a feeling like you're sitting on a ball up inside? If you see something hanging out, I would be worried too, especially if you're in pain. Sorry you are going through this worry just after having your child. Congratulations though. I would see another doctor, get a second opinion and then again if the problem dosent go away and you dont get your answers

[Elaine2710]

In the UK you should be still under the care of your midwife please talk to her.

[jmdb]

Congratulations on the birth if your baby! Please try not to worry as your body is only just beginning to heal. Keep doing the pelvic floor exercises. ( I am so impressed that you have done them for so long.) Go on You Tube and search for Femfusion. The lady also had problems after the birth of her child and she gives lots of advice how to help yourself. Take care.

[Momwithpop]

See if you can get an appointment with a Urogynecologist as they are the experts for prolapse. As it was said above, you have a lot of healing and so the organs will hopefully go up a bit...but you will need to be extra mindful not to strain in the bathroom! No heavy lifting, pushing, pulling while you heal from the birth. When you can, get off your feet as gravity is not our friend post partum. If you have Facebook, Google APOPS (association for Pelvic organ prolapse support). If possible see if you can get an appointment with a pelvic floor physio, besides pelvic floor exercises she will teach you lifting techniques, posture, breathing etc. To protect that pelvic floor. Enjoy that baby and try not to worry!

[Lipsyl]

Hello Lilian. I can relate to you as I discovered a bulge in my vagina. My hubby took a look (!) and described a pink "thing" at the entrance. I spoke with my doctor and was immediately booked in for that day. This was right at the beginning of lock down so everyone was in PPE. She examined me thoroughly and diagnosed a rectocele, which is a prolapse of the bowel. No pin, no discomfort so was greatly reassured. I urge you to call your doctor again, today if possible ,and request an appointment to see her. Just tell her exactly what you've told us. Covid should not be an excuse now to not have a face to face consultation. I take it that you have not had sex yet. Think about how accessible it would be. I wish you well and hope you get seen soon and congratulations on the birth of your 4th baby which sounded very traumatic.

[Teema in reply to Lipsyl]

Hey Lipsyl i was disgnosed with a rectocele and bladder prolapse after birth of 2nd baby who is 6months now. I have gone fr PT and at ds stage i think my therapist has exhausted all her experience on me...hehe.... well in my opinion the PT didn't take away the rectocele buh i am just able to accept my new body. Please tell me how are you able to deal with your rectocele? Did it go away? Did u have surgery? . Am more than happy to learn a thing or 2 from you.

[Lipsyl in reply to Teema]

Hi Teema, welcome to the prolapse club! I don't have any symptoms just an awareness that there is something in my Vagina. My Dr is happy to leave it as its not really troublesome. I have heard stories of nightmare surgeries and most seem to be ineffective. I think it involves having a mesh fitted to hold up the prolapse but I don't think I would consider it. Sometimes if I am a bit constipated I can press on the rectocele and this seems to help to move it all along! What sort of problems do you have especially with a double prolapse? I am 63 and we don't have sex anymore, how are you coping in that department?