Postpartum uterine prolapse: What to expect?

Thanks for the links, I found plenty myself, but I’m more interested in hearing about actual firsthand experiences.
I think I can squeeze the muscle (at least, I assume that's the right one), but I can't hold the contraction, nor can I consciously relax it—maybe it just releases itself automatically. 🤷
It also confuses me because everywhere says you shouldn't be engaging your abs or glutes during the process, which I'm not sure I'm managing to avoid.

I feel like a total mess. 🙂 Why am I the only one struggling with this? 😕 Or maybe everyone else just doesn't care as much. I'm honestly panicking because I'm also carrying my little girl, who's currently getting her first teeth, so I'm constantly holding her, which definitely makes things harder.

Nancy Davis said:Thanks for the links. I’ve found plenty online, but honestly, I just want to hear from people who've actually been through it.
I think I can squeeze the muscle—if that's even the right one—but I can't hold the contraction, and I can't consciously relax it either. Does it just... let go on its own? 🤷
Plus, everything I read says you shouldn't be bracing your abs or squeezing your glutes while doing it, which I'm pretty sure I'm failing at anyway.

I feel like a total mess. 🙂 Is it just me? 😕 Or does everyone else just not care this much? I'm genuinely stressed because I'm constantly lugging my little one around—she's at that stage where her first teeth are coming in, so she's basically glued to me. It's a lot of extra strain.

Just keep at it. You'll find that with enough practice, squeezing that "imaginary" muscle becomes second nature. Getting it right is tough. My OB actually told me today how important it is to work on that pelvic area and my back. I notice it immediately whenever I'm carrying my kids—they're about 55 pounds combined—that heavy, uncomfortable ache starts setting in. Even though, anatomically speaking, everything is where it should be.

It sounds like you’re dealing with what is known as uterine prolapse, and honestly, I don't think Kegel's exercises are going to do much for you at this stage. While those exercises can be great for prevention, once the prolapse has actually occurred, surgery is pretty much the only real solution. A vaginoplasty can resolve these types of issues quite quickly and effectively. I would strongly suggest seeking a second opinion because it feels like your doctor is downplaying a situation that really needs urgent medical attention. Uterine prolapse is an incredibly uncomfortable condition, often triggered by vaginal births—especially if there was assistance from forceps or a vacuum, or if the baby was particularly large. Even a chronic cough can make those already unpleasant symptoms feel even worse. Please reach out to a specialist who will take your concerns seriously. Estrogen, pessaries, or Kegel's exercises simply won't cure a prolapse once it's there. Wishing you all the best!

Drew Wright35 said:Look, honey, you're dealing with what's called uterine prolapse. Honestly, I don't think Kegel's exercises are going to do squat for you at this stage. Those things might help prevent a prolapse from happening in the first place, but once it's already there? You're looking at surgery—nothing else is going to fix it. A vaginoplasty can sort these kinds of issues out pretty quickly and easily. Seriously, go get a second opinion because your doctor is totally downplaying this, and you need to address it ASAP. Uterine prolapse is incredibly uncomfortable, and it often happens after vaginal births—especially if things were rough, like needing forceps or a vacuum, or if the baby was just huge. Even a nagging cough can make those symptoms feel ten times worse. Find a doctor who actually takes you seriously. Estrogen, pessaries, or Kegel's won't cure a prolapse. Hang in there!

Have you actually dealt with this before? Can you walk us through some more details about how the surgery actually works?

I don't have any personal experience with this since I've never personally dealt with such an uncomfortable situation. Typically, these issues tend to surface in women who are a bit older rather than immediately following childbirth, though there aren't any set rules for when it happens. I’m just noting what is generally considered common. Vaginalplasty is actually a pretty broad term that encompasses several different types of procedures. It can involve various genital corrections, cosmetic enhancements, tightening, repairing poorly healed episiotomies, or addressing postpartum incontinence caused by severe perineal tears and weakened pelvic floor muscles. But the most critical part of this entire discussion is that vaginalplasty successfully resolves uterine and bladder prolapse by surgically repositioning the uterus to where it belongs and fixing it in place. This allows a woman to be effectively cured right after the procedure, sparing her from months of struggling with useless exercises that, in my opinion, don't help at all and are simply a waste of precious time. Perhaps worst of all is how these conditions can lead to depression, which ultimately impacts a woman's quality of sexual life or, in the worst cases, eliminates it entirely.

Drew Wright35 said:Look, I don't have any personal experience with this since I haven't dealt with that whole unpleasant mess myself. Usually, it’s stuff women deal with a bit later in life—not necessarily right after giving birth—but hey, there aren't any hard rules. I'm just saying what's typical. "Vaginoplasty" is such a broad term, though; it covers a ton of different procedures. You can do all sorts of genital corrections, cosmetic touch-ups, tightening things up, fixing botched episiotomies, or even dealing with postpartum incontinence caused by bad tearing and weak pelvic floor muscles... But here's the kicker: the most important part is that a successful surgery actually fixes uterine or bladder prolapse. It surgically moves the uterus back where it belongs and secures it, so a woman is basically cured immediately. She doesn't have to waste months suffering through those useless exercises that, if you ask me, don't do squat and are just a massive waste of precious time. Worst of all, women get depressed over this stuff, which absolutely wrecks their sex lives or, in the worst cases, kills them entirely.

There are three different threads on this forum and not one single person with actual experience has bothered to chime in...

Meanwhile, I'm stuck "grinding" through these exercises because I can't afford the surgery... As far as my doctor is concerned, it's classified as an elective cosmetic procedure (at least at my stage in life), and let me tell you, the price tag is insane.

Growing up in Mexico, I’ve noticed that our gynecologists tend to downplay this issue, which I believe is a massive mistake because it often leads to serious mental health struggles down the road. That said, I am certain that if you get a referral to a major hospital here, uterine prolapse surgery is an available option. I’m assuming most of you are based in America, though. Speaking of surgeries, I truly feel that cosmetic procedures should be covered by health insurance because some women are left practically crippled after a vaginal birth. If you even dare to bring it up at a local clinic, you’ll likely face nothing but judgment; they act like it's just a "normal" consequence of childbirth and basically tell you, "You're a mother now, stop worrying about your body or your husband, just focus on the baby, and deal with those weak muscles yourself." I find that attitude completely unacceptable because it only pushes women deeper into psychological frustration and dissatisfaction. How much does a procedure like that cost in your area? And what stage of prolapse are you dealing with?

Drew Wright35 said:Look, I’m from Mexico and our gynecologists here have this annoying habit of totally brushing off this issue. To me, it’s huge, especially because it drags all this mental health stuff along with it. But I can tell you for sure, if you get a referral at the hospital, you can actually get uterine prolapse surgery done. I don't know... I'm guessing you guys are from America. Speaking of surgeries, honestly, I think even aesthetic procedures should be covered by insurance. Some women are practically crippled after a vaginal birth, but if you even dare to bring it up at the clinic, they give you the coldest shoulder imaginable. It's like they think it's just "part of the deal" with having a baby. They hit you with stuff like, "You're a mother now, stop worrying about your anatomy or your husband, just focus on the baby! You've got weak muscles, just go home!" It’s ridiculous. I find that attitude completely unacceptable because it just pushes women deeper into frustration and self-doubt. How much does that kind of surgery cost over there? And what stage of prolapse are you dealing with?

I am right there with you—it's the exact same story in America.
What stage do I have? Beats me. 🤷 I didn't even realize there were different types until my doctor finally mentioned it...
As for the surgery, I think it runs around $8,000$5.00, but I'm not 100% certain, maybe someone else here has more up-to-date info.

Yes, there are actually three different stages of uterine prolapse, depending on how you want to classify them. Your gynecologist should be able to determine exactly which stage you're dealing with. Once you hit the third degree, surgery is really the only way to fix it. Honestly, even with the first or second degrees, exercises aren't going to do much heavy lifting, though I suppose it doesn't hurt to give them a shot. You might also want to consider finding a new doctor, because they aren't all the same, and there are plenty of professionals out there who genuinely prioritize their patients' health and well-being above everything else.

So, I just stumbled upon some info suggesting that a herbal tea made from marshmallow root and slippery elm might help strengthen connective tissue in cases of pelvic organ prolapse. My only concern is whether it’s actually safe while breastfeeding. 🤷

Apparently, nursing keeps our estrogen levels low, which only makes the prolapse issue worse. Once my period finally returns, those estrogen levels should spike and help stabilize things.

I honestly can't believe I'm actually looking forward to my period. 🙄

Amanda Howard84 said:So, I was reading up on how you can drink herbal tea made from marshmallow root and raspberry leaf to help strengthen the connective tissue when dealing with pelvic organ prolapse. My only question is—is that actually safe for us while we're breastfeeding? 🤷

Apparently, breastfeeding tanks your estrogen levels, which just makes the whole prolapse issue even worse. Then once your period finally shows up, the estrogen spikes back up and things hopefully stabilize.

I swear, I never thought I'd see the day where I'm actually looking forward to my period. 🙄

Now you gotta tell me where the heck I can find this tea and what exactly it's supposed to be? 😂

Honestly, I’m not exactly throwing a party when my period arrives either, but I’m really crossing my fingers that things start feeling better once it hits. 😁

You can probably find it in any local pharmacy. I used to drink it all the time right before I got pregnant. It’s packed with benefits for female reproductive health. 😉
I don't know where you're located, but you'll save a fortune buying it from an herbalist at a farmers market. I picked some up in Brooklyn for maybe a third of the retail price. A 30g container at a drugstore will set you back $4.00, whereas I managed to snag 100g at the market for that same amount.

The standard way is to have 3 or 4 cups a day, sipping it slowly rather than gulping it down.

I also stumbled upon another forum where a gynecologist mentioned that nursing mothers can safely drink it too. 🙂
Tea alone is a slow process. But if we layer in a few more supporting factors, maybe we'll see results a bit faster. 🙂

It seems like you can't find Vrku tea in just any pharmacy. My husband stopped by one yesterday and they were out. However, I know Suban manufactures it, so you might be able to order it through a local drugstore since they usually carry Suban's herbal teas.