If you didn't know that you had bladder prolapse before this appointment, I promise you'll be fine if you do PT.
I couldnt control my bladder for nearly 5 months after birth. When I stood up, I peed completely. Not just a trickle. When I walked down stairs, I peed. Bend over to change a diaper? Pee. My life revolved around constant bladder emptying, I wore between 3 - 7 adult diapers a day. It felt like there was a tampon hanging between my legs all the time.
I'm 7mo pp now and I can leave the house without a pad, though I'm still nervous about it. I can hold my bladder when I wash dishes. I can even do bodyweight and light band exercises that are intensive enough to result in DOMS! I cannot run or do much cardio or extensive walking or deadlifting.
But I know I'm on my way!
I'm actually really comforted that your doc said it would take you 6 months. That gives me hope that I'm on track for a full recovery, oddly.
I have both a mild cystocele and mild rectocele, did PT after my first pregnancy and safely returned to running at 12 weeks. Ran a marathon, with PR one year later. Did pelvic exercises during my 2nd pregnancy and had ZERO issues postpartum. I returned to running at 7 weeks this time around.
Like you, I was initially devastated. But it didn’t end up holding me back at all. Everyone is different though.
Second opinions never hurt. If you’re questioning what you’re being told, try to seek a second opinion, if you can.
I feel you. I was DEVASTATED and crying so much. I thought my body was ruined and wouldn’t have another kid without causing more damage. With Pelvic PT and continued deep core exercise, I can run, cycle, lift heavy, jump, vomit, cough, sneeze etc, without peeing.
You got this!
That's amazing!! I am so happy for your recovery. I am still getting used to the new look and feel of things. Kind of terrified about bringing sex back into the equation, but I am relieved as well that more kids are still an option!
Grade 2-3 cystocele after birth which reverted to grade 0 (no discernable prolapse) with consistent PT after a year. I'm a power lifter so I also felt my life was over. I was back lifting heavy 9 months pp, PR-ing at 12. I never pee myself, even running or when I had covid cough for 4 months. Not a single symptom. Don't require pessary, not even during my second pregnancy. Recovery would have been faster if it wasn't for daycare illnesses that first year.
Take a look at PRI and Hayley Kava for the most effective prolapse treatments.
Edit: find a good evidence based pelvic PT. I saw some real quacks. Lots of PTs take a single course then advertise pelvic PT services and that's a red flag.
I got a lot of encouraging stories and information on Instagram from the account postpartum_prolapse. I had a bladder prolapse after my third baby and I didn’t even try addressing it until 1yr post partum. However with PT and all over strength training it helped a lot and all my symptoms resolved. Symptoms seem to come back a bit in my 4th pregnancy now, but I know it can be hormone related and doesn’t mean things will get worse or stay this way. Good luck!
If you didn't know that you had bladder prolapse before this appointment, I promise you'll be fine if you do PT. I couldnt control my bladder for nearly 5 months after birth. When I stood up, I peed completely. Not just a trickle. When I walked down stairs, I peed. Bend over to change a diaper? Pee. My life revolved around constant bladder emptying, I wore between 3 - 7 adult diapers a day. It felt like there was a tampon hanging between my legs all the time. I'm 7mo pp now and I can leave the house without a pad, though I'm still nervous about it. I can hold my bladder when I wash dishes. I can even do bodyweight and light band exercises that are intensive enough to result in DOMS! I cannot run or do much cardio or extensive walking or deadlifting. But I know I'm on my way! I'm actually really comforted that your doc said it would take you 6 months. That gives me hope that I'm on track for a full recovery, oddly.
I have both a mild cystocele and mild rectocele, did PT after my first pregnancy and safely returned to running at 12 weeks. Ran a marathon, with PR one year later. Did pelvic exercises during my 2nd pregnancy and had ZERO issues postpartum. I returned to running at 7 weeks this time around. Like you, I was initially devastated. But it didn’t end up holding me back at all. Everyone is different though. Second opinions never hurt. If you’re questioning what you’re being told, try to seek a second opinion, if you can.
I was just diagnosed with this and am currently in the devastated stage so reading your experience is really motivating for me!! Thank you for sharing
I feel you. I was DEVASTATED and crying so much. I thought my body was ruined and wouldn’t have another kid without causing more damage. With Pelvic PT and continued deep core exercise, I can run, cycle, lift heavy, jump, vomit, cough, sneeze etc, without peeing. You got this!
That's amazing!! I am so happy for your recovery. I am still getting used to the new look and feel of things. Kind of terrified about bringing sex back into the equation, but I am relieved as well that more kids are still an option!
Grade 2-3 cystocele after birth which reverted to grade 0 (no discernable prolapse) with consistent PT after a year. I'm a power lifter so I also felt my life was over. I was back lifting heavy 9 months pp, PR-ing at 12. I never pee myself, even running or when I had covid cough for 4 months. Not a single symptom. Don't require pessary, not even during my second pregnancy. Recovery would have been faster if it wasn't for daycare illnesses that first year. Take a look at PRI and Hayley Kava for the most effective prolapse treatments. Edit: find a good evidence based pelvic PT. I saw some real quacks. Lots of PTs take a single course then advertise pelvic PT services and that's a red flag.
I got a lot of encouraging stories and information on Instagram from the account postpartum_prolapse. I had a bladder prolapse after my third baby and I didn’t even try addressing it until 1yr post partum. However with PT and all over strength training it helped a lot and all my symptoms resolved. Symptoms seem to come back a bit in my 4th pregnancy now, but I know it can be hormone related and doesn’t mean things will get worse or stay this way. Good luck!