Bladder Prolapse

Dear N.,

I panicked a few years ago, because my uterus was prolapsing. When I went to my ob/gyn, this is what he told me - that if it feels like the end of your nose, it's your uterus, if it has a ridged texture, then it is your bladder. I ended up having a prolapsing uterus and a cystocele (my uterus is "falling out" and my bladder is kind of following behind, because it has lost the support of the vagina as the uterus prolapses) - you can also have a rectocele - which, thank God, I don't. I was told that I can have a hysterectomy if I want, but so far it is my choice. I have opted to hold onto my uterus as long as possible. And, just to let you know, that first panic was nearly seven years ago. I am single, and the few times I have had sex in the mean time, it has not been a problem. I do have to be careful to "go" when I have to go and not put it off, as is my inclination - the only times I have accidents are when I don't empty my bladder right now when I need to . . .

On the positive side, gravity is an equal opportunity ravager, my breasts and my uterus are all between my knees - we call it "one stop shopping" =D

And, btw, I don't think things ARE ever the same . . . between time, gravity, childbirth, etc . . . but that doesn't mean things will be awful . . .
Best wishes and
good luck!
B.

I had a bladder and cervical prolapse. You can try kagels, but usually it will require surgery. I had an anterior and posterior repair. The surgeon did it through my vagina, so there was no surgical scar on my abdomen. It is a very easy repair and the results were terrific. When you see your OB doctor, he'll be able to determine if you have developed a bladder prolapse and will recommend what to do at that time. Some women just opt to wear a pessary which will hold the bladder up. I just went ahead and had it repaired because I knew it would not improve. One of the gals that wrote you really put the scare on me. Her information was not accurate. I have been a nurse (RN) for 40 years, so I'd like to think I know what I'm talking about. Best of luck.

Hi, my mom at the age of 60 has a prolapsed bladder and colon. It took a long time to diagnose, because at first they just said it was an overactive bladder. Pills weren't working. When they finally did a really good check up they found out the real issue. Her options were surgery or some contraption they insert that would have to be occasionally taken out by the doctor and cleaned. She has her surgery about 4wks ago along with a recommended hysterectomy just because of her age and that way she wouldn't have to worry about future cancer. Anyway, the surgery took 6hrs instead of 3. It was all done vaginally. They put something like a mesh wall to hold up the bladder and colon. Recovery was hard the first few days, but got easier as the days passed. She feels a lot better. Still hast to be very careful. I hope that is not a prolapse, but if it is know that there are options. I remember after I had my son that for weeks I felt that my uterus was falling down. I was checked and all was fine. My mother in law once said that her mom, who had 6 kids, would say that you shouldn't do any heavy exercising after having birth because your butt would fall off. Boy that's how it felt. ;-) Good luck and I hope all will be ok.

Obviously, you'll need to have the doctor diagnose this for you. One possibility is that of a prolapsed bladder that could be herniated through the wall of the vagina (not literally all the way through, but bulging out). If that is the case, then the remedy is to put in a sling that holds the bladder up in its proper position.
I know women who have been through this and all came out fine.

Sounds like you could have an uranary tract infection, but I'm not sure about the bulging part. I would get to the doctor I would'nt wait.

Yes, do kegels!!! lOTS AND LOTS OF THEM, IT WON'T HURT YOU AND MAY CLEAR UP THE BULDGE!
C. S.

It is common. Surgery can get everything back where is should be if necessary. I have a related issue, but went undiagnosed for 6 yrs. because it wasn't as bad at first and has gotten worse until finally a urologist(because unrelated-- I had kidney stones) diagnosed it. My primary care never understood what I has talking about. Good luck and don't worry -- things are not ruined for ever.

I have this problem too. But I gave birth to my last child 8.5 years ago. My doctor told me that if it became a serious problem or interferred with my daily life I would need surgery. I've just been living with it. Sex isn't painful. I have the same problem with frequently needing to go and not much happens! It doesn't affect my bladder control at all. Since you just had your baby Kegals might help, I would do them all the time. Also it might get better over time on it's own. Your doctor will fill you in. Good luck....it's not the end of the world but I know it's a pain and annoying! Hope I was somewhat helpful.

Nice! Isn't recovery fun?!?! A few things...one, did you tear during delivery and to what degree? Second, are you nursing? You see, my midwife said that nursing has to do with that bulge you're seeing. It's like a hormonal thing, or something. And lacerations during childbirth certainly has a lot to do with any pelvic prolaspe. I have had two severe lacerations during childbirth so I can relate a little. And as far as sex goes, it's pretty relative. For instance, according to typical side effects from fourth degree lacerations, I am at risk for experiencing pain during intercourse-NOT SO MUCH. SEX IS NOT PAINFUL, AT ALL. But again, it's not painful for ME. It's relative. And you're totally right. Kegals, girl! A healthy diet. Exercise. It's pretty simple. And please, give yourself more time. Four weeks is only four weeks. But I understand where you are coming from. Hang it there. Life will give a new normal...and the sleep deprivation will ease up in time! :)

Call your OB! It could be a UTI, and the bulge could be "just swelling", however, I would think that uterine or bladder prolapse could be EXTREEMLY serious. Call and tell them your symptoms, and let her/him decide whether you need to be seen sooner.

My SIL had SEVERE damage during the birth of her daughter! She complained for months that it was hard to poop and that she always felt "ill". After many, MANY tests, they found out that her bowl just beyond the rectum and sphinkter muscle had torn. She felt ill, and had troble getting the ppop out, because someof it was going through the whole back into her body. So- Severe CAN happen during child birth!

But- self Dx are dangerous, as we tend to get an idea and find things to prove us right. Drs are highly trained to look at the symptom and then come up with a Dx.

N.,

Sorry to hear about your post birth issues, I can completely relate. I thought I was falling apart inside, but wanted to give my body time to heal. Well, it really never did, but that isn't to say that yours won't. Give it some time, but your ligaments might be overstretched, which is my problem, and my bladder hangs down where I can feel it just inside my vagina. Well, all the kagels in the world will not help this problem unfortunately because kagels only help the muscles not the ligaments. So, I have opted for surgical repair. However, not only do I have this issue, but I also have a umbilical hernia. Go figure, right? I love my son, but wow! I feel like a wreck! It was funny but at first I thought that my uterus was falling out too because I only felt that mass of tissue, but after a visit to my OB at my post delivery well check, it was confirmed that it was part of my bladder. Oh well, we sacrifice it all for our kids, eh? :-)

Best of luck to you,

L.

Costa Mesa, CA

I have bladder and rectal prolapses after the birth of my kids. From what I understand, kegels will help but can't fix a prolapse because it is a complete breakdown of the vaginal wall. I have lived with them for 2 years now but they are getting worse little by little and soon I will have to have surgery to fix it so my organs don't fall completely out. But don't get scared, if it is minor, you can live with it for as long as it doesn't bother you. Mine are not painful from day to day, but sex isn't as fun anymore (just can't squeeze anymore and sometimes a bad angle jabs my bladder and doesn't feel right)and any exercise in which I have to jump feels really strange. It depends on how severe the prolapse is. Talk to your doctor, and make sure he/she checks each regular visit to see if it is getting worse. Good luck

Give yourself more time to heal and try not to worry too much. I cried and cried over my "ruined" body for days and weeks and months after my baby was born vaginally. None of my systems were working normally. I was peeing like I was a sprinkler head. The best thing someone told me is that it took 9 months to get in and 9 months to get out. Some things take a really long time to heal. Things will get better... they do. I pee normally now, but my baby is almost 8 months old. One thing you should know is that if you are nursing, your woman parts are going to take even longer to heal because most of your hormones are focused on making milk. It's more important to be able to feed your baby than to have sex right now. Much more. I honestly didn't even get my sex drive back until about the 6 month mark. I know that is way too long for your husband to wait, so entertain taking care of him orally, and/or use loads of artificial lube, or it may hurt you... and that won't be fun for either one of you. Congratulations on your baby!

I just wanted to say that this is really common. I didn't have bladder prolapse, but I HAD a cervical prolapse. You are still soooooooo early in your post-partum recovery and things will for sure get better. I know that while you're still breastfeeding, your joints and ligaments are still softer than usual, so this can make prolapses of any kind seem worse than they are. I am happy to say that 17 months after giving birth, my uterine prolapse is basically non-existent. I do some things differently - I always kegel when I have to sneeze, I never get in a squat and I am very careful how I do ab work. Here is a link to an online chat group that helped a lot - there's a lot of women on here with different types of prolapses...

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=713732

Hope this helps :)