Prolapse During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy + Prolapse? No problem!

Finding out you have a prolapse while pregnant can feel very scary. However, there are so many things that you can do! Don't fret, but stay proactive and get treatment early on.

Prolapse can be a highly uncomfortable condition and throwing pregnancy on top of that can make things feel even worse!

So what is Prolapse? A prolapse is when one of the pelvic organs fall into the vaginal region. Prolapse feels like a lot of pressure, heaviness or even the feeling of a bulge in the vaginal region. Commonly people feel this more in the afternoon compared to the morning, or when standing for a long period of time or even with transitioning from sit to stand. This can be exacerbated due to the extra weight from the baby, putting more pressure on your pelvic region. Check out our prolapse page for more information!

When it comes to prolapse, it’s very important to get pressure off of the pelvic organs. Yet this can be tricky with pregnancy. Early management is key because let’s face it, pregnancy is a marathon!

If you suspect prolapse during pregnancy:

• Check with your OBGYN or MD to confirm

• Manage constipation (Very Important)

• When pregnant, due to the raising levels of progesterone, you are more prone to constipation.

• Keeping stools soft and avoid excessive pushing as this can worsen the prolapse

• Kegels (most likely-check in with a pelvic floor therapist)

• Most likely, you will need to strengthen your pelvic floor, however kegels are not for everyone, so checking in with a pelvic floor physical therapist can help you determine if they are right for you or not

• Bridges

• My favorite "go to" exercise if you do not experience any back pain or lightheadedness/ nausea when on your back. Try supporting your head- but avoid if you have any pain or lightheadedness

• Belly support- belly band, high waisted yoga pants, belly binder

• This can help to lift the abdomen again, taking pressure off of the prolapse

• “Blow as you go”- manage your intra-abdominal pressure

• Holding your breath with activities such as lifting or bending increases pressure on the prolapse.

• Avoid lifting or high impact activity

• Log roll

• Rolling to your side when getting in and out of bed avoids over activation of your core and again... less pressure towards your pubic bone/ pelvic floor.

• Self adjustment

• If you feel your prolapse low, with clean hands try to gently press the prolapse up back towards your head

• Take a break

• Giving yourself a 10-20 min break in the middle of your day putting feet up or lying down can greatly decrease the amount of pressure on the prolapse and improve your symptoms

So as you can see, the theme is to decrease pressure on the pelvic region.

Check in with your MD and pelvic floor physical therapist to help manage your symptoms!

Xoxo,

Raise the Pelvic Floor