Prolapse and pregnant

[Sazzyone]

Just wondering if anyone has experience pregnancy and a prolapse at the same time? I currenlty am 13 weeks and have a slight prolapse due to the cold I have

[sam's mum]

you got a prolapse from a cold?

I don't understand... What is prolapsed?

[Sazzyone]

Prolapse literally means "To fall out of place." In medicine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicine), prolapse is a condition where organs, such as the uterus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uterus), fall down or slip out of place. It is used for organs protruding through the vagina (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagina), rectum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rectum), or for the misalignment of the valves of the heart (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart). A spinal disc herniation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_disc_herniation) is also sometimes called disc prolapse. Relating to the uterus, prolapse condition makes the organ extend inferiorly into vagina causing weakened muscles.
(From Wikipedia)

The prolapse that I am experiencing is that my bladder and uterus have dropped. The muscles holding them up have weakened because of my constant coughing during my cold as well as the fact I went into preme labour back in december. My organs havent protruded yet. This problem is fixed by pelvic floor exercises for the less serious cases or surgery for the more serious cases.

[sam's mum]

I know what a prolapse is, I was confused as to how one could be caused by a cold. I was also wondering what had actually prolapsed, it is hard to provide advice without knowing this.

I haven't had a prolapse while pregnant, but if I was you I would talk to your OB about it to see if it is going to cause issues for you.

How are you going with your pelvic floor? Has it helped at all?

[wonkyjoints]

Hi There,
I prolapsed during my second pregnancy (for me it got to the stage where my cervix was actually protruding). It was very scary, mostly because I was so worried that it would mean the pregnancy was at risk (which it was not at all). Depending on the extent, most women find that as the baby grows, the uterus rises above the pelvic rim, meaning that it pulls your cervix up with it. In the mean-time, it's uncomfortable. The sorts of things to do include lots of pelvic floor exercises, avoiding lifting weights of any kind, avoiding straining (ie try to keep your bowel motions soft). It's also good if you can, to avoid long periods on your feet, and to try to have a rest (horizontal) during the day, to provide some relief to those overworked muscles! Also, talk to your ob re delivery of the placenta, it's important that they avoid pulling on the cord (if possible)
My prolapse got better at around 21 weeks. It recurred on day three post birth, and is now classified as severe (bladder, uterus, bowel) - I'm planning on surgery later this year to fix it all up (my youngest is now four). But for many women the prolapse is related to the pregancy hormones and doesn't cause too many problems once these have settled down. I've got other connective tissue issues, which has meant for me that things are more severe.
There is a discussion board for prolapse at http://prolapse.hyperboards.com/ - like many of these things, it does tend to attract women who have had a harder time of things, so don't panic! But lots of support there if you feel like you would like to be communicating with other women who have been through this.
Cheers & all the best for your pregnancy!
Kate

[~Temet Nosce~]

It probably happened due to the coughing and sneezing etc. with a cold.