Hi all, I'm 37 years old 4 months postnatal with first baby. I had diastasis recti so started exercises and wearing abdominal belt around a week after giving birth, but shortly after I started feeling a heaviness down below, so had a look in the mirror and suspected a prolapse. Physio and gynae said it's a grade 1 uterine and bladder prolapse, and physio was confident that I'd reverse it with exercises. 4 months on and even though the dragging feeling has got a bit better, the prolapse seems same or even worse, not to mention problems with bowel movements. Even though I'm as regular as ever, I never seem to be able to finish, so I never feel empty and the prolapse feels even worse when I need to go and I can't. Physio suggested the one-use pessaries that you insert like a tampon, but they basically got pushed out after an hour or so, especially if I had BM. I might be having a ring pessary inserted next month, although not sure about pros and cons. If there's anyone who has gone through something similar I'd really appreciate any thoughts or advice, thanks!
Prolapse thoughts : Hi all, I'm 3... - Pelvic Pain Suppo...
Prolapse thoughts
I am 70 this year so most of what I write may be totally irrelevant to your experience. I was diagnosed with a prolapse about 12 years ago and fitted with a ring pessary. The fitting of a ring pessary has a bit of a knack to out and I have had Doctors and nurses that are very proficient but also had some that were brutal, did not warm the ring to make it more flexible for inserting etc. Nowdays it’s moving toward people refitting their own but my first try in December was a bit of a failure and then got a Doc to fit it. When they are done properly these stay in place and you never know they are there. The nurse that did it in Guys& Thomas’s Hospital regularly over the last few years was a total expert.
I went to an excellent physiotherapist in Bishops Stortford whom my daughter saw after giving birth, she was an expert in the pelvic floor area and rectum. I have a rectocele in the bowel. I am due to undergo a hysterectomy and bladder repair as well as a rectocele repair shortly. I have no idea if the operation will cure the the leaking bladder and bowel. Walking seems to worsen both and the bowel is worse sometimes than others but does not empty fully because of the rectocele. These problems are caused by child birth as I understand it , but I am no expert and I have only learned about this as I have gone along. I believe they will remove the bulge caused by the rectocele and repair through stitches in the vagina. I had the prolapse several years before the rectocele, but I find both issues very limiting as everywhere I walk it will have to have toilets otherwise I cannot chance it.
I do hope you get sorted, as it is a very stressful problem and you are young. I expect that post op I will not be able to lift grandchildren and was have to be extremely careful as it might all come undone. Good luck, but do get yourself referred to Consultant for assessment. It is gynaecologist for pelvic floor and a bowel surgeon for rectocele. The operation is done jointly. Hope some of this helps.
hi I am new to this my rectocele is very bad with perineal descent of 4.5cm and severe rectal hypos sensitivity
Any advice! I’m 47 and years of constipation
It’s so bad at the moment.
Seen surgeon suggested biofeedback . Waste of time.
Thank you
hello…I can only tell you of my experience at the age of 55 I was getting dressed and my bladder just dropped from 0 to stage 3 all at once caused me pelvic floor muscle Spasms I could hardly walk due to the heaviness and pain…on the sofa tried multiple pessary fittings many drugs all to no avail…did internal p/t that helped but still not able to work..live my life..so I had the corrective surgery although the heaviness is gone I still had pelvic pain…I was misdiagnosed for almost 2 years…I had to go out of state to a pelvic pain Dr….try to find one he helped me more then anyone else just by being properly diagnosed….I now do yoga and meditation for pain management and work with an herbalist….I recommend the surgery because it did correct the problem no more heaviness and am able to walk and garden….in my case the prolapse actually caused a nerve dis function called pundel nurgalia ..because you are young and have a new family I would recommend getting it corrected with the proper surgery…so that you will be able to run after your child and if it was me and again I am no dr…I wouldn’t have any more children I would think it would only make it worse…I hope this is helpful and wishing you well
You might be interested in wholewoman.com approach - non surgery, non pessary method - many women with post baby prolapse recover quickly. Good health to you!
Thank you all x
Hi Asfur, I had ring pessary fitted bout 6 weeks ago ( I have stage 3,2 & 1 prolapses) it has been great, just need to return 6mntly to remove & clean. I also bought a squatty stool (bamboo flip 2 size from Amazon £33) which is a real help to take the stress off going to loo, found it just takes cpl days to master it to feel comfortable with it. Also I really recommend Diaphragmatic breathing which has been a great help not just for pelvic floor but for overall improvement for the whole body.
We are all diffrent, these are things that have helped me, I really hope may help you in your quest to improve your health : )
Hi Klawd, thank you for your positive reply! I'm using a regular kid's stool at the moment, although I know a proper squatty stool would be better. Am using splinting as well if I struggle, and I agree re diaphragmatic breathing... I'm trying to get out of the yoga belly breath habit that I had (also because of diastasis recti). May I ask if the pessary is getting in the way of good bowel movements?
sorry to butt in ....sorry about the pun...🥴.....I had a ring put in a week ago absolutely brilliant....I have been able to get on with my life , without trying to stuff it back in can’t feel it at all , bit worried it may come out if I went to tge loo , but nope ..it didn’t, BUT I go to Zumba , I am just hoping it will stay in ....I go to Aqua Aerobics, it was still there , and another class , still in there but there’s a lot of jumping up and down in Zumba so we shall see .....I have had a prolapse for about 10 yrs, ,
Hi Tippytwo, Wow! Amazing, you managed 10yrs & not afraid to do all those strenuous activities, hats off to you 👍 I do exercises & breathing daily but am very conscious of bending & picking stuff up (I use a grabby stick frequently.... its a godsend to help limit constant bending, we have 2 cats so it's usfull to pick up there bowls & put back down for them 🐈) i had pessary in few weeks now & it's been great I'm so happy I went for that and not a Hysterectomy. We retired & live permanently on a boat so the test will be when we on the move, jumping on n off various hight & terrains, taking the strain from the ropes while traverssing locks ect. We don't want to give up this lifeso be very grateful for any tips on the best way to manage stuff like that pls?
Good luck with the Zumba, i will be intrested to know how goes? : )
Hi , the first time I went that was about 7yrs ago , the doctor ( who was Male) said there’s nothing there ...so I just went away .and yes it was awful bending down and sitting on it sometimes, and if ever I had a shower seemed to relax the muscles so had to keep putting it back I was at 2nd stage ...I coped though ..but luckily this time the Doctor was lovely, , and so I had the ring .. I know what did it , I had chickens , so carried a 25kg bag , I am sure I felt it go then , that was about the time I felt it , but still carried on carrying heavy stuff , not now though..😂......
lucky you living on a boat that’s fantastic....not sure I could give you ant tips ..really ...only you should be ok to bend etc if you have had a pressary ..and getting of on tge boat ..☺️Will have to see if it stays in after my Zumba .....I also do gardening so it got in the way of doing that
Glad to know the pessary is working for you too Tippytwo 
you both give me hope. I get what you're saying about how to bend Klawd, I'm trying to be more conscious of this, lunging and trying to keep my back straight, exhaling when coming back up ...All of this. Funny you should mention gardening Tippytwo... I was feeling better around February and overdid it at the allotment I think..and almost back to square one. I also feel worse just before my period comes. And can't even stand around cooking for an hour without feeling it getting worse. Trying to do my kegels and other exercises, but I will ask for a pessary soon I think, am encouraged by your experiences. Curious to know how it goes at Zumba...at some point I want to go back to practicing some tennis, ambitious I know but it would be good to know that a pessary would make it possible!
I am goi g to go for Kelgels practice see if it helps as well , but may not need it now, I was lucky I didn’t have pain with it at all , just lower back pain now and again , and if I had been for a long walk I spotted a bit ...
Will let you know about my Zumba ...as it is rather dancing and jumping etc OMG I hope it stays in
Glad to be a bit helpful x☺️
Asfur, it is So funny discussing our personal bowl movement on an open forum....for all & sundry LOL No i have not felt pessary gets in the way, tho it is still quite new to me, to be honest I don't even know it's there except that I feel better n it's keeping bits from escaping !! 😨
I knew totaly nothing about prolapse before it happened to me & though a pessary was sml tampon for medicine? I am so grateful the pessary suits & has work well for me, over & above my expectation.
I have only been using the stool few days now n think I have got the position to sit best it def cuts the lenght of time sat over loo which I always felt was not best!,, Since i have been using it I have not felt that I am unable to go completly which sometimes/often happened before. It just feels that this is the correct way to go, fast & efficient,
Don't know if you seen the Moo to Poo or Brace & Bulge technique? Google it, I some times employ this if it's not happening instantly & it never fails.
I'm not too savvy with tech stuff ....like how this forum works really ? I did put a post on before in reply to 'Whole woman' if you can find that? I got the book & discovering how important posture & exercises is in our quest....... tho some of it I find a wee bit off the wall......like I really cant see myself prancing round a room doing 'The Wombdance' 😂
Hope this is helpful Asfur, pls don't hesitate if you think of anything else? The more we learn bout this the better .......Knowledge is Power
Stay strong & hang in there 👍
hi Asfur, I’m 47 and got my prolapse 16 years ago when my eldest child was born. To date I’ve managed with pelvic floor exercises etc but recently it has got worse due to perimenopause and drop in oestrogen (in my opinion!). I had a ring pessary fitted by NHS consultant in December but took it out after a few weeks because it dropped and wasn’t helping and interfered with BM, it has made the prolapse worse unfortunately but I’ve got my GP to refer me back for further help and asked for referral to womens health physio again (last visit was when prolapse was first diagnosed). I’ve found some of the advice on this forum very helpful (as mentioned above and silicone pessaries) and from what I can tell you just have to keep asking GP/ consultants for help. I really don’t want surgery even though I know that is the Consultant’s preference. My advice is to try not to be pushed into anything you don’t want and keep researching and ask for as much information as possible so you can make the right decision for you.
Hi again Asfur, I agree with Window2, please do take your time to think & research before being pushed into something you have to live with. My consultant first advised Hysterectomy. Also as windows said my pessary is silicone, maybe why iv not had the problems Iv read many other woman have encountered. I ialso now drink Raspberry leaf, Hibiscus & Rosehip teas throughtout the day to help strengthen, they actually quite pleasant -all but given up my beloved Yorkshire tea now 😂 oh & Prunes & Pineapple with some bio yogurt daily 👍
Thank you all especially both Klawd and Windows 2 for your helpful answers! Yes all this BM talk...I would have never imagined that I would be constantly thinking about it just because I had one baby! I've also changed my diet a bit, branflakes or oats for breakfast, wholemeal bread and pasta for what it's worth...prunes and apricots almost every day, and have continued on decaf tea and coffee. I had not thought about Rasberry leaf tea thank you, it makes sense as had taken it towards the end of pregnancy to tone uterus. I have tried support shorts from Amazon and will buy the EVB shorts when my size is back in stock. I am definitely doing my research, especially on YouTube as I follow a few PT who had prolapse so they speak from experience. I will have a look at whole woman, and yes trying to focus on posture, good exercise and breathing as well. Incredible how everything effects pelvic floor health! On the whole it's been a real life-changing experience and I have almost made my peace with the fact that it's here to stay ...just need to learn to manage it 
until menopause hits and then I guess it's back to square one like Windows 2 said! We shall see. Regardless, this forum is helping me feel less alone so thank you again
Thank you for this useful information. I self referred myself to Urogynecology b/c have a rectocele and now in addition to BM issues I am having difficulty urinating, spending an hour in the bathroom at least 2 times daily trying to empty my bladder. Severe lifelong constipation, history of pelvic floor trauma from childbirth, pudendal nerve injury, pudendal neuralgia (mostly recovered but need special nerve pain medication to keep at bay), and I absolutely refuse any pelvic surgery as a result. I cannot take a risk of further pelvic nerve damage. So I am guessing I will be offered a pessary? I am assuming maybe I have some bladder prolapse now? I don't know. I've been in excellent pelvic PT for many years, and I probably won't get improvement with it at this point. Best wishes to you all.
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