Question-------------------------
Dr. Culligan:
A few follow-up questions, if you don't mind:
(1) What forms of physical activity are safe for me? I don't want to make things worse but I am a very active person & cannot stand the thought of being sedentary the rest of my life.
(2) Would you recommend that I see a specialist now (e.g. within the next month or two) or should I wait to give things a chance to get a bit better over the next 3-6 months before I see someone. The closest urogynecology specialist is about 2 hours away.
Thank you. And, I have ordered the book you recommended.
- Tori
Followup To
Question -
Well, my son is now 7 weeks old. Yesterday, the doc told me that I have a prolapsed uterus & a prolapsed bladder. I am so upset.
The doc said that I can't really do anything until I am done having children. I am 30 & this was my 1st pregnancy (so I don't understand why this is happending).
Does it get better? Will I ever be able to resume my normal activity level? Right now, it is uncomfortable to walk much & I connstantly feel the need to urinate (when I am standing). I am pretty miserable - - especially at the thought of not being able to pick up my son once he gets a little bigger.
What are my options? What is the successs rate of any sort of recovery? What can I do for exercise? WIll I have any problems conceiving or carrying another child?
Any help would be great. Thanks.
Answer -
Hi
Let me give you a few little bits of help:
1) Time is still your friend. You may get significantly better over the next 3 to 6 months
2) Your chances of getting better will increase greatly if you will do pelvic floor exercises (aka Kegels)If you aren't sure how, you probably need help from a physical therapist - or even a well-schooled Pilates instructor.
3) You should read a book called "Ever Since I Had My Baby" by Roger Goldberg, MD, MPH. It is available on Amazon.com
It is all about your problem.
4) Some websites that might help:
www.mybladderMD.com
www.augs.org (the women's health info page)
www.sgsonline.org
Best of luck, and enjoy the new baby. That gets better too by the way. Right now, it's mostly just a lot of work having a newborn. Tough stuff, but well worth it.
Finally, It's probably a good idea to space your children 2.5 to 3.5 years apart in age to give your pelvic floor a chance to heal well.
AnswerI wish I could help you more, but I would really have to examine you to do so. It's tough to tell you what you can and cannot do without getting to know you in person.
Waiting 3 months to see the urogyn may be ok - but you really need to be doing pelvic muscle exercises right now. If you are unsure about how to do them, the urogyn can help right now. Up to you
Best of luck with all of this
