Help, something’s falling out!
“I think something is falling out of my body.” I can still remember telling my husband two weeks after our first child was born. Obviously, this was a huge concern to him and me both. I got right on my phone and did a quick Google search to self-diagnose my condition. I saw the scary word “prolapse.” I had never heard of such a thing and upon further investigation, was terrified that was what I had. Over the past few years, I have learned that it’s more than just remembering to do Kegels, it’s about the overall importance of pelvic floor health and I want to share some of my story in the hopes that it might help others with pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms.
At the time our oldest was born, we were in a rural town in southern Wyoming where my husband was in law school, so my options were very limited. Before my six-week checkup, I saw all three of the male doctors. All practiced at the only women’s health practice in town and they all told me what I was experiencing was normal postpartum. I knew it was not. Fortunately, we were moving back to Collin County permanently less than from then.
The Solution I Found
I made it a top priority to get in to see someone who could help figure out what was going on with my body. I went to a birthing center where a good friend had given birth before (where I ended up having our second child) and saw one of their amazing midwives on staff. After a quick pelvic exam, she told me that I did in fact have a bladder prolapse and that I would need pelvic floor physical therapy. She referred me to an amazing Women’s Health Physical Therapist here in Collin County.
I started my pelvic floor physical therapy in the summer and had weekly appointments for a couple of months. Through the appointments, I was able to strengthen my pelvic floor, learn how to engage my core and pelvic floor properly, and help relieve the heaviness and feeling that something was falling out of my body that I was experiencing.
Flash forward a couple of years later after the birth of our second, and I was experiencing some similar symptoms. I attempted to solve them on my own, which helped some. Ultimately, I ended up back in pelvic floor PT where I continue to go. It has helped so much. I also did an ab rehab program after our second was born which I found to be extremely beneficial. It taught me a lot about my core function and lifting.
* All of the thoughts expressed below are mine and not those of a medical professional. Please do your own research and consult with your doctor to see what your best plan would be moving forward if you are experiencing any pelvic dysfunction symptoms. *
The Importance of Pelvic Floor Health
Peeing Yourself is Not Normal: No woman should ever have to justify why she is leaking or peeing a little when she laughs, coughs, or sneezes. If this is something you are experiencing, no matter how many months or years postpartum, it is important to seek help, and pelvic floor PT might help a lot. It definitely did for me.
Heaviness is Not Normal: I was experiencing an awful sense of heaviness and through several appointments and at-home exercises, this sense went away.
You Learn How to Lift to Protect: As moms, we lift a lot, and knowing how to do it properly, so we don’t do any damage to our pelvic floor, is really important.
It Could Save You from Having Surgery Later in Life: I know women who have had surgery for their bladder and other pelvic floor areas later in their life. Obviously, there is no guarantee that this still won’t happen, but being proactive is never a bad thing!
It’s All Tied Together: Pelvic floor health is really just one step in protecting the rest of your body. I have noticed an improvement in my overall physical health with my time doing pelvic floor physical therapy.
At-Home Exercises: From the appointments I have had with my PT, I have a set of at-home exercises that help me work on my pelvic floor. Like mentioned above, these are more than just Kegels.
Pelvic floor health is so essential to our quality of life as women. Whether you gave birth vaginally or via c-section, whether you gave birth last month or twenty years ago, you can take control of your pelvic health!
