Life
There's no easy or "right" way to give birth. Whether you have a vaginal delivery or a C-section, it can be physically grueling and emotionally draining. Every birth also comes with its own set of possible side effects that can make the recovery difficult. One of the most extreme side effects of birth is a postpartum prolapse, when your battered pelvic organs begin to sag or even bulge outside your body. If you've developed this condition and you're wondering how to deal with postpartum prolapse, don't worry. There are plenty of ways to bounce back from it, and you definitely don't have to suffer in silence.
Your uterus, bladder and bowels can all prolapse after birth according to Belly Belly. In milder cases, this can cause unpleasant pressure and may lead to incontinence or other bathroom issues. In the worst cases, your organs can actually drop down so low that you can see and feel them outside the vagina. Surgery is sometimes necessary to correct the issue, but you may be able to make lots of progress on your own with a little diligence at home.
Here are five simple things you can do to manage a postpartum prolapse and get you feeling like yourself again.
1
Do Your Kegels
According to the Pregnancy Center, weak pelvic floor muscles often cause prolapse. The best way to strengthen those muscles, both before and after birth, is to do Kegel exercises. Once you figure out how to do Kegels correctly, they can make a huge difference.
2
Kick Your Feet Up When You Can
Simply kicking back and relaxing can be an effective way to recover from a prolapse according to PelvicExercises.com. The website suggested taking it easy and resting with your feet up and an ice pack on your lady parts to take the pressure off your pelvic floor.
3
Exercise Very Carefully
Certain movements are going to make a pelvic prolapse worse, according to Today's Parent. You'll want to avoid squatting or doing crunches, because both put a strain on your pelvic floor muscles.
4
Don't Strain In The Bathroom
If your pelvic organs have prolapsed and are putting lots of pressure on your vagina, the last thing you want to do is make it worse by pushing or straining your bowels according to the Continence Foundation of Australia. That may be difficult if you're experiencing postpartum constipation, which lots of women do according to Baby Center. Be sure to drink lots of water and eat high fiber foods to make it easier to go.
5
See A Physical Therapist
If you're having trouble figuring out which exercises and movements are OK or if you're doing them properly, you're not alone. According to SELF, as many as 25 percent of women may be doing exercises like Kegels incorrectly. That's why seeing a physical therapist can be a huge help. They can make sure the way you're working out isn't doing more harm than good.
