Interview: A patient’s journey with prolapse
The postpartum period is a journey for everybody who goes through it. We are so grateful to one of our patients for generously sharing her prolapse story, in hopes that it helps other women with confidently navigating their own healthcare.
Pelvic organ prolapse is a common occurrence during childbirth, but that doesn’t mean we have to accept it as a part of our “new life”. In addition to pelvic floor physical therapy, pessaries may be utilized to help manage certain types, and grades, of prolapse. As always, consult with your medical provider regarding which options are best for you!
Here’s what our mama has to say about her experience:
Q: What symptoms were you feeling, and when did you start noticing them?
A: I noticed symptoms very soon after having my daughter in April. As she is my first, I wasn’t sure if the heaviness I was feeling was typical after giving birth or not. As weeks went by the heaviness grew worse. The symptoms were especially bad towards the end of each day when I had been active or carrying my daughter a lot (which was basically all day.) Many days, by 4 or 5pm I needed to lay down in a gravity eliminated position because of the weight and heaviness I was feeling. I am pretty in tune with my body and while pregnant, I did pelvic floor exercises through videos. Postpartum, when the heaviness I had did not go away, I knew I had a bit of a prolapse.
Q: Were you officially diagnosed with a prolapse?
A: I was not officially diagnosed by my doctor. At my 6-week appointment, I mentioned it to the doctor who I saw and to be honest it was kind of dismissed. Postpartum I completed pelvic floor breathing exercises on my own through videos I found online, but the heaviness continues to get worse. I needed to seek professional help. I reached out to Amy and Autumn and scheduled an eval. Amy confirmed that I did have a prolapse during my eval.
Q: Did someone refer you to Pelvic PT?
A: I basically referred myself. I knew based on what I was feeling that pelvic floor PT would be great for me. To be honest, EVERYONE who has had a baby should go to pelvic floor PT. One of my close family friends went to Birth & Bloom and had amazing things to say. A lot of my friends who have had babies praise pelvic floor PT. In addition, I wanted to confirm that what I was feeling (and seeing in a mirror) was a prolapse.
Q: Were you nervous about anything before your first PT session? Did you have any reservations?
A: I was a little nervous about the first PT session. However, I knew I was in good hands because of others experience at Birth & Bloom PT. I was anxious to see if I did have a prolapse and how severe it was. But I was excited to put in the work to start feeling better. I did not have any reservations because there is no downfall to going to pelvic PT. In addition, I was aware (from friends) that an internal pelvic exam would be offered. I was fully prepared to have this completed.
Q: Were you seeing improvements without the pessary? If so, what? Did you feel like anything was not changing?
A: I felt improvements with each consecutive week. At first, breathing while connecting my pelvic floor was a very conscious thought. I had to focus on connecting my pelvic floor and breath with each exercise. I began to feel less severe heaviness towards the end of the day. This gradually led to some days not feeling the heaviness at all. Now after a month and a half of PT the connection between my pelvic floor and breathing is natural.
Q: Did it take awhile to schedule an appt with your MD for the pessary consult?
A: When I called my MD for the pessary consult, they got me in 4 weeks later. This was the next availability with my MD.
Q: What was your visit like for the pessary consult? Did you feel like their recommendations were catered to you? What type of pessary did they recommend?
A: When I went for my consultation, my MD asked what symptoms I had and what led me to wanting the pessary consult. I told her about how I have been doing pelvic PT and that Autumn suggested a pessary. My doctor said that I have a great PT for recommending this. My MD completed an internal exam and agreed that a pessary would be beneficial in my journey due to a cystocele prolapse (the bladder presses into the vaginal wall). During the exam she asked me to bear down as well as point to where I felt the heaviness. She was completely on board with a pessary. We only discussed the ring, but she mentioned that a ring with support was the best option to provide the most support. There are different sizes of rings and she placed one for me. After she placed it, she asked me to stand up, squat, jump and move around to see how it feels. It felt very comfortable. Previously when I got my period, I used a menstrual cup and it felt similar. The way that you place and remove the pessary is very similar as well.
Q: Did anything about this process surprise you?
A: I would say how challenging it is to connect your pelvic floor to your breathing. Pelvic PT involves WAY more than just Kegels. I would have never made the progress I have from watching Youtube videos. Truly, it’s important to receive help from professionals!
I have also had SUCH a positive experience with Autumn and Amy, I feel so supported, comfortable and heard. The Birth and Bloom office is so warm, calming and inviting. In one of the most vulnerable times of your life,postpartum, I feel that all these components are so important.
Q: What do you wish people knew about the postpartum journey, Pelvic PT, or prolapse management as a whole?
A: I wish people knew how important pelvic PT is. At first, I didn’t think that my prolapse was “severe” enough to get help. But there is no downfall to seeking help. Your health is worth it! Pelvic PT should be part of the course for every postpartum journey and I think it's important to talk about it.