Uterus Size & Postpartum Changes: What to Expect

Question
I am 31 yrs. old...I have 4 children (all born by c-sections) my youngest turned 2 in March. 1st day of last period was May 3rd.  After my youngest was born...I had noticed that it seemed like I could still feel my uterus when I pushed on my tummy.  My doctor confirmed it was bigger than it should be (at my 6 week postpartum check-up), but that it would probably go down to normal.  (I was also told with my last 2 pregnancies that my uterus was bigger than it should have been in the first few months...so they checked to make sure i wasn't having twins...No twins)  I still think I can feel it, now 2 yrs. later, and for the longest time I would get this pain in my gut...on the right mostly...that would hurt if I reached up even a little...or bumped my tummy...or leaned against the counter.  I couldn't even lay on my tummy on the floor for the first 15-18 months because it felt like one muscle was being pulled tight and it hurt...like the muscle wasn't long enough to stretch as far as it needed to.  It doesn't seem to bother me as much anymore...but if I get bumped in the gut, or if I try to push On my tummy (lower abdomen)...I can't push much because it is just a little tender.  I have also noticed since my last birth (March 2002) that I can feel myself gush down there from my vagina sometimes.  It is often...like at least 4-5 times a week...and as much as I would like to assume it is just normal wettness...I want to make sure it isn't something else.  It is as much of a gush as I get when I start my period...where I have to go to the bathroom to make sure I didn't start my period and there will be a wet spot varying in size from about the size of a dime to the size of a quarter.  And sometimes it happens a few times during the day where I just feel like my underwear are wet.
I haven't been to see the dr. for this as of yet...I think I am half worried he will tell me it is something bad...or that I need a hysterectomy.  My grandmother died of colon cancer a few years back...so all kinds of bad things keep going thru my head.  I keep telling myself it is nothing...but I guess I need to know for sure.  Is there anything you can tell me?  Does it maybe have something to do with damaged muscles and such from 4 c-sections?  They did have an awful time getting my 3rd baby out...I had lots of internal bruising and I was in pain bad for 2 1/2 weeks...my other 3 c-sections were a piece of cake!
Anything you can tell me would be greatly appreciated...
Sincerely
mother of 4
Cheri

Answer
Your symptoms sound like you may have some fibroid tumors in your uterus. These are benign tumors that grow in the uterus and can be felt through the abdomen. They can cause difficulty in wearing clothes, and, if they push onto the bladder, can cause you to urinate more frequently, and if they push onto the rectum, they can cause constipation and your stool may be thin and flat. Sometimes they can cause uterine bleeding if they protrude into the uterine cavity. The easiest way to diagnose your problem is to get a sonogram of your pelvis and abdomen. YOu will easily see if there is any problem with your uterus. Make an appointment with your gynecologist and get an exam and ask for a sonogram referral. Then you will know for sure. Don't worry. Good luck to you.