You’ve already given birth. Nothing else should come out of the vagina. Worse, it falls out of your rectum like a very uncomfortable and backwards sci-fi birth.
Unfortunately, the human body is as strange as it is beautiful, and women may experience pelvic prolapse (partial fall or protrusion of an organ or body part from the vagina or rectum) in the months following childbirth.
Although it’s not a medical emergency, treatment, even if it’s physically uncomfortable and awkward, can help move parts of your body back into place and help you become a baby again.
Why does uterine prolapse occur after pregnancy?
To understand why uterine prolapse occurs during the postpartum period, it is important to first understand the pelvic floor. Think of it like a cradle that covers the bottom of your pelvis, keeping your uterus, bladder, bowels, etc. in place.
In most cases, the pelvic floor heals on its own after giving birth, but unfortunately, the healing process may take longer than expected. We see influencer-style photos of mothers who somehow look stronger than before they gave birth. There is little talk of new moms struggling with incontinence or prolapse. But actually, this is more common than you think.
“Studies say uterine prolapse occurs in 30 to 35 percent of women, but I’d say it’s closer to 50 percent,” she says. Hilary Pentz, DPTpelvic health therapist University of Wisconsin Medicine Advanced Manual Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation Center.
please think about it. During childbirth, your muscles stretch, move, and weaken. This is one of the many major pains you will feel as your baby progresses through your vaginal canal. All of these muscles become weaker, making it harder to keep parts of your body in their proper positions. Therefore, organs literally fall out of the body.
So how do you know if you have prolapse and are not experiencing one of the millions of other postpartum symptoms?
Prolapse symptoms and treatment
Symptoms vary from person to person. You may experience severe discomfort, abdominal pain, or feel that something is wrong.
According to Pentz, many women who come for pelvic floor therapy after giving birth don’t realize they have a prolapsed uterus. She describes the symptoms of pelvic prolapse as feeling like you’re hanging around with a tampon in it, or like you can’t poop all the way out.
Several different types of prolapse can occur, including bladder prolapse, rectal prolapse, and uterine prolapse. He can classify the severity of prolapse into four stages.
In stages 1 and 2, the prolapsed organ has fallen into the vagina or rectum, but has not yet reached the opening. The organ reaches the opening in the third stage and swells by the fourth stage. Stages one and two can most often be treated with pelvic floor therapy and other strengthening exercises, Pentz said, but stage four usually requires surgery or a pessary for correction.
Pelvic floor therapy can also help treat other postpartum symptoms, such as incontinence, difficulty emptying the bladder, or other postpartum pain in the pelvic area.
When to ask for help escaping
Although it may be uncomfortable to talk about, try to resolve your symptoms as soon as possible. Apart from the risk of developing a prolapse, the time you spend away from your baby during treatment and the discomfort you experience while retraining your pelvic floor and caring for your body are also important.
Ignoring symptoms will prolong the discomfort and increase the risk of worsening. If diagnosed early, physical therapy may be all that is needed. Consider this an act of self-care and a reminder that it’s okay to ask for help if you need it.
Below, Pentz explains the different types and stages of prolapse and discusses various pelvic floor exercises that can help.