Even if someone told me about the possibility of this happening I wouldn't believe it.
First of all lets start of a brief description of what Prolapsed Uterus is:
Basically it is when your uterus (womb) drops into a woman's vaginal canal. In some cases;
- Damage to supportive tissue during pregnancy, child birth, or difficult labor and delivery,
- Effects of gravity,
- Loss of estrogen,
- Repeated straining over the years,
some woman experience various muscles, tissue, ligaments weaken and stretch.
It can affect woman of any age.
When these muscles weaken this allows your uterus to sag or completely drop out of your body.
Symptoms
- Heaviness in your pelvis
- Tissue protruding from your vagina
- Urinary problems, such as urine leakage or urine retention
- Bowel movements problems
- Pain in lower back
- Feeling as if you're sitting on a small ball or as if something is falling out of your vagina
- Sexual concerns, such as a sensation of looseness in the tone of your vaginal tissue
- Symptoms that are less bothersome in the morning and worsen as the day goes on
There are 4 stages that this happens in:
- First stage: The cervix drops into the vagina.
- Second stage: The cervix drops to the level just inside the opening of the vagina.
- Third stage: The cervix is outside the vagina.
- Fourth stage: The entire uterus is outside the vagina. This condition is called procidentia. This is caused by weakness in of all the supporting muscles.
Other conditions associated with prolapsed uterus are:
- Cystocele: Herniation of the upper front vaginal wall, which affects your urinary function.
- Enterocele: Herniation of the upper vaginal wall. Standing leads to pulling sensation and backache that is only relieved when you lie down.
- Rectocele: Herniation of the lower rear vaginal wall. Makes bowel movements difficult.
Before I start I would strongly suggest you go to the doctor if you experience anything you're uncertain of, or suspect something might be wrong. That's no joke!!!
My experience;
During labor I seemed to stay at 5 centimeters dilated. They had to constantly move the baby's heart rate monitor because she was very active. Eventually they started prepping me for a cesarean as they feared baby would go into distress. Before I go further I should mention this is a public hospital. So they have staff issues among many others. While they were prepping me they were busy with other mommies in labor in other rooms. All of a sudden I started having contractions, which I mentioned when they popped in to check on me. They simple told me not too push and left. My SO sat beside me trying to give me useless advise (really, where do these men get off giving advise?). Before I knew it my contractions were worsening and the two of us were alone in the room. For a split second I considered tightening up so that the contractions might stop, until I realized that was a terrible idea. Miyah was the one pushing, not me. I immediately let go and she slipped out, I only had to give a tiny push for her to be completely out.
After that they took her away to examine her and told me to sit on the bed. When I looked down I saw that I was sitting in a pool of my own blood. Tried getting help but everyone was too busy. Fortunately with natural labor they discharge the next day.
After I gave birth to Miyah (my fourth pregnancy), during my recovery period. I didn't have much rest time. Had lots to do and sort out. Also repairs was being done on the house, so the house was in a state. Needed to clean it.
I was in constant pain but pushed through thinking it was completely normal. As the days past I realized something was slowly dropping out of me. Wasn't sure what was happened. I asked numerous friends who told me to go to doctor. Others said it was completely normal, part of the recovery process. I chose to ignore it and hope for the best. Had to go for the pap smear but was so stressed out that something was terribly wrong that I avoided it. It was eventually so bad that when I looked through my legs I could see something hanging out of me. Continued ignoring it.
The bleeding felt like it would never end, constant bladder infections. terrible discharge. Would dread to be around people. Just wanted to lock myself away in the room and never come out. My SO had no idea what was going on. Didn't think I had to tell him. Eventually he overheard me speaking to a friend. He insisted I go to doctor. I refused (I'm stubborn like that). I was determined to fix it myself.
I google all sort of strange and wonderful things. No one warned me of the possibility that my insides could fall out of me. Eventually I came across Uterus Prolapse. Read about it and looked at the pictures. It described ALL my symptoms exactly as I was experiencing it.
After finding out what the problem was I starting on researching how to cure it. Especially when reading that surgery might be necessary. Started eating lots of yogurt as well as kegel often. Also started an exercise routine. Which wasn't easy as the last time I exercised my oldest who is now 14 was 4. Getting the motivation and time to get exercise in seemed near impossible. I am finally starting to enjoy it again.
My baby is 6 months now. I regularly still get strange pains, usually when I'm stressed or anxious. Then I force myself to calm down and go and rest. I have not yet gone to the doctor for a check up. Still afraid of what she might say.
At some point will definitely go. Hopefully as soon as I can make better sense of life.
Take care of yourself for your family, but mostly for yourself!
