Prolapse and Subsequent PGs? May be TMI

**AnyDream** · October 1st, 2006, 10:14 AM

Hello, After DD was born (and much to my great alarm) i discovered I had a prolapse. Anyway over a period of time it seemed to get better (as doc said) and I thought no more about it.

However, now 8 yrs later, the codeine (after wisdom teeth surgery) has made me constipated and ....the Prolapse is back!!!! :eek: We're now TTC#2 and since I had so little info last time I've got no idea - does a prolapse affect subsequent pregnancies at all??

Please anyone with info/experiences please let me know, since AF is here & I've got to wait until she leaves again before seeing my dr (v.anxious....). I have googled the topic and it's all very scary with lots of medical stuff about surgery.

**chocolatecatty** · October 1st, 2006, 04:23 PM

I assume you're talking about a prolapsed bowel? Some of the oldies at work (I'm in Aged Care) had prolapsed bowels....I think you can get it operated on but not sure?
At any rate, there should be some excercises you could do? Sorry I'm not much help...
All the best with TTC #2

**AnyDream** · October 1st, 2006, 06:33 PM

Hello, ***TMI alert*** I'm talking prolapsed pelvic organs, referred to variously as cystocele, rectocele and uterine prolapse, it's where other organs press or bulge into the space which is normally reserved for one's vagina. In the oldies, it can be quite extreme and require surgery to hook everything back into place. But can't find any info about what this means in pregnancy???!!!!

**Cherie** · October 1st, 2006, 06:42 PM

Marydean, I'll ask my Mum more about this one ...

She had four children (thus four pregnancies and births) and had a very severe uterine prolapse by the time her 4th was about 5yo (i.e. part of her uterus was hanging out of her vagina, external to her body).

Anyway, I didn't mean to freak you out, but wanted to say that I presume that she had a milder version of the prolapse for quite a while prior to this time, and managed to have 4 very healthy pregnancies despite what was probably going on with her uterus.

I'll email her and ask her when her prolapse first started.
I hope you get some good answers after talking to your Dr.

**AnyDream** · October 1st, 2006, 07:20 PM

Thanks for your post, Cherie, I'd really be interested in hearing any more info you can tell me about your mum's experience. I'm not freaked out at all by your description of the extreme prolapse (but I was 8 years ago when I googled 'uterine prolapse' and my first hit contained a graphic photograph!!!)

I'm sure any prolapse I have is probably fairly mild, I'm just a bit shocked cos I really thought I had recovered completely.

**Cherie** · October 1st, 2006, 09:26 PM

No worries ... I'll let you know as soon as I hear something from Mum

**Cherie** · October 2nd, 2006, 06:16 PM

Reply from my mum:

Now ... about my prolapse ... I noticed it after I gave birth to DD #2

(but not straight away). At that time it was only the size of a pea. I did pelvic floor exercises but they obviously didn't help much because after I
gave birth to DD #3(10 lbs 1 oz) the prolapse became much worse (bigger). I was gonna get something done about it but Dad and I had decided that we wanted to have a baby together and the Dr advised me to wait till after I'd
finished my family (DD #4). So, for quality of life (no other reason) I had a vaginal hysterectomy. It was the best decision I ever made.

So, looks like Mum went on to have 2 subsequent pregnancies after noticing the prolapse for the first time.

Hope this helps you somewhat Marydean

ETA: Arrghh ... trying to fix up my quotation marks, but it won't let me!

**AnyDream** · October 2nd, 2006, 09:31 PM

Thanks Cherie, That's very reassuring. Pls thank your mum for me. I've managed to get it all into perspective now, will wait *calmly* until I see the Dr this week.
:-)

**Cherie** · October 3rd, 2006, 07:01 PM

No worries

Best of luck at the Dr's - let me know how you go.

**Yael** · October 3rd, 2006, 07:32 PM

I also have a vaginal prolapse from DS.

Has gone away slightly, i need to be better about doing pevic floor exercise

My obs said it isn't a worry unless its really bad (my mum also had one like ur mums Cherie - was advised to have a hysterectomy, but instead had a different kind of surgery where they like sitch it back inside you.

He said to wait until i stop having kids (am planning on having a rather large family), and then when i'm like 45 he will do something about it.

So i don't think its a problem, but see what your doc says.

HTH

**DoulaRelle** · October 3rd, 2006, 08:53 PM

Can I please ask a really silly question - How or what was it that you actually noticed that brought to your attention that you had a prolapse?

The reason I ask is because my Mum had quite a severe prolapse and considering I am the one out of three girls that appears to have taken after her the most, I might with that as well and am just wondering what I should look out for.

Thanks girls

**AnyDream** · October 3rd, 2006, 09:33 PM

Thanks Yael for the reassurance, I'm only planning one more, I'm not sure my body could withstand any more after that!

Relle, the way I knew I had a prolapse - I noticed a soft fleshy lump bulging inside near my vag entrance - because it was quite soon after birth, it seemed to me in my horrified state (!) that it was bulging right out sometimes (tho I'm sure it wasn't that bad) but it seemed to get really irritated just by my knickers rubbing against it. Plus you get a heavy, dragging feeling in the pelvic region. It was really noticeable especially if i had been on my feet a lot or when I was exercising or when I was tired. I must say I am of the belief that it was my poorly managed labour that caused it (started pushing well before i was fully dilated and no one bothered to tell me otherwise, pushed > 3 hours, DD's head was larger than normal circumference too) So if you think you might have a predisposition for it, make sure you speak to your healthcare providers on how to best avoid it...?

**DoulaRelle** · October 4th, 2006, 08:08 AM

Marydean - Thankyou so much for your reply! I must admit that I often have a horrible dragging feeling particularly when AF is here and for about 6 months after having No 1 and at my 6 week check up my ob just said it was from blood loss. But when I have this ache I have the sensation of everything "falling out".

If the ache persists I might go and see my doctor again about it.

**EllyBoo72** · October 4th, 2006, 08:25 AM

My friend had a prolapse before her first pregnancy...She had surgery, and has had 3 children now with no probs...I think they monitered her closely throughout her pregnancy...All the best and good luck xx

**AnyDream** · October 5th, 2006, 06:38 PM

Hello, I saw the dr today and she said the unusual pressure might have pushed my uterus 'forwards and down' - apparently they can move around if you're straining and the pelvic floor is weak. She mentioned being overweight is a factor. Nothing at all to be worried about during pregnancy as the uterus swells over the top of the pelvic cage and is supported that way (not a very good explanation of what she said but I get it). Just have to watch that I'm not having diff with urinating etc. Only concern might be that a further pregnancy could worsen the condition of my pelvic floor, so it's a case of exercise those PFMs over and over and over again (forever...)! I'll be Super Pelvic Floor Woman in no time, hahahaha!

Thanks for your comments and reassurance ladies.