Pelvic Organ Prolapse After Vaginal Birth

Hi B.,

My mother, who is in her late 70s has this issue. PLEASE be very careful about being VERY clean down there. My mother got horrible infection that went into her blood and was in the hospital for a week. Be very very clean.
Best of luck to you!

E.

find a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor. you ob should be able to give you a ref to a good one. There are suprisingly lots of different things that you can do and exercizes that they can show you to do at home.

Try Women's Physical Therapy in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. They specialize in issues like yours. www.womensphysicaltherapy.com There is also a women's physical therapy specialist in the South Bay, but her name escapes me. I think it is Jenny, but I can't recall the name of her company. There are several vaginal support garments you can buy that are not too unnatractive and will help with that "falling out" feeling. One is made by PreNatal Cradle at http://www.prenatalcradle.com/v2.htm , and
Fembrace at https://secure64.easycgi.com/fembrace/prolapse.html . I used to own a medical supply company specializing in women's health products and I have had very good response from women using both products.

You can also check out Women's Health Boutique. http://www.womenshealthboutique.com/ They have a location in Torrance and specialize in women's health products. They also offer insurance billing.

Yes I have this same problem. I have 3 kids and my last one is now 5 I have been ignoring this problem for 5 years because I am afraid of the surgery and of course can't find the time to have this done. My doctor has prescribed a ring that is suppose to be inserted to help but I have not even filled it yet yikes I'm a baby. It has not really gotten any worse. I will be watching to see if anyone else has had sucess.

Start doing Pilates excercise right away!! It may take a while but with diligence and continued kegels you will master it. Build up your core muscles from the pelvic floor. Find a good instructor, I go to the Lava club with Jessica Wagner but you need to find someone.

I don't have direct experience with this, but my mother has been using a pessary for a few years now. Of course, her situation is very different since she is older and post-menopausal. For her, she has not found wearing it to be uncomfortable. I know that she's spent a lot of time researching her options. If you don't find the info you're looking for here, I can talk to her and see if there is any particular source of info she found most helpful. Feel free to contact me.

I have the same problem with the prolapse of the bladder. So i'm going to read your advice, hope we both get some advice that will help. It is a very uncomfortable problem. I have heard of botex injections but don't know if it works on all prolapse problems

I was diagnosed with the exact same thing just this morning! My ob/gyn said that surgery will probably be necessary eventually but that it can and should wait until after I finish having children. He said that the prolapse shouldn't interfere with my sex life, ability to conceive, or ability to carry a child to term. He didn't even recommend a pessary in my case since I don't have incontinence. He really made it sound like no big deal.

Please let me know if you try the pessary. I am interested to know if it is uncomfortable, interferes with sex, etc.

i haven't had the experience myself, but just know you have my support as a mother and a woman. and bless you for not letting it stop you from having another child. another note of encouragement, your body is still healing and recovering from pregnancy and delivery (btw, even if you didn't have a vaginal delivery, you probably would have some discomfort anyways because of the weakening that pregnancy does to your body).

keep up with the exercises, therapy and support device!

B.,

I had the exact same problem and the pessary did not work nor did the other device which was stronger and more difficult to insert/remove. I too would not be against another child (I have one now) but I could not stand living the way I did (wearing a pad everyday and restricted activity) so I chose the surgical correction. I am six weeks into the recovery and the hardest part is not picking up my 20 month old son! If I was to get pregnant again, I would have to have a c-section as to not undo the surgical correction I had.

I am soooo happy that I did the surgery. I saw where others were suggesting kagels and exercise for correction but that will not help if your pelvic floor is permanently damaged which it sounds like it is and if your muscles are already strong. If your muscles are not strong, there has been some success with physical therapy and exercise but it is limited to how much damage there is to your pelvic floor ligaments. My muscles were at 85% of normal and quite strong but once the pelvic floor is as damaged as mine were, the muscles are ineffective no matter how strong they are. Think of it as blowing out your knee ligaments on a very strong muscular leg. If you have any questions or wish to find out more of the surgery I had, please feel free to contact me. I can tell you of the post surgery limitations etc.

Good luck!

L.

I suggest you call Dr. Jenni Gabelsberg, she specializes in women's issues, especially after childbirth. Most of her patients are referrals by their OB/Gyn's. Check out her website:

http://www.womens-advantage.com/

Good luck!
D.

Hi B.,
I agree with the other mother about Pilates. My girlfriend teaches at Soul at home in Santa Ana and she has women tell her all the time that their vaginas are super tight now!! Many have said that there husband have noticed as well!!! I would get a DVD or something if you can't get there. Her class is on Monday nights. Good luck and I am so sorry this is happening to you.