There is life after prolapse

I remember when I prolapsed. It was one of the most traumatic experiences I’ve been through. I felt like my body had failed me. Or had I failed my body?

I was 3 weeks post the birth of my 3rd baby and was in that newborn bliss bubble – loving every moment with my new baby, feeling like superwoman, still managing to do everything I was doing before bub. But it all came crashing down so quickly when my body finally decided it had had enough.

I was discharged from hospital just 2 days after I had my baby. The birth was fine. Maybe a little rushed because, you know, "the nurses had shift change at 7am". I did have trouble with my placenta, however. It wouldn’t come away and I was being prepped for emergency surgery. Thankfully it managed to release on its own so I did avoid that. But I think the trauma to my pelvic floor from that experience was the beginning of my prolapse journey. Add to that my inability to rest. They tell you to rest but if we feel OK, we keep going, don’t we? I felt fine so I carried on as normal, doing everything I normally would. Little did I know I was slowly wearing my body out. When I prolapsed I didn’t actually know what was happening to my body. I could just feel this incredible heaviness 'down there', and it was so difficult to walk because I felt like everything was going to fall out. I stupidly went to Dr Google for answers and found so much scary information about prolapse that I actually thought there was no life after prolapse. I thought I would never run again, never get back into my workouts and never just feel normal. I went and saw my local midwife who gave me some really helpful tips on how to improve the symptoms of my prolapse and how to start the healing process. But most importantly she referred me to a physio which was when my restorative journey really began.

I saw the physio every fortnight for 6 months and still to this day continue to do the exercises they prescribed regularly. And let me tell you, there is life after prolapse! It took time, it took patience and it took a whole new appreciation for my body but I did get there. I have healed. My prolapse is no more!

And I want you to know that while prolapse is so common, it is definitely not normal and you do not have to live with it. Get yourself to a Women’s Health Physio at the first sign of trouble and start your recovery. It may take you a while but I promise you will get there. Melissa is one of our newest affiliate team members; she currently works with mums online and will soon be launching face to face sessions in Hughenden, QLD. To get in touch, please click on ‘Find a Trainer’ at the top of this page, followed by ‘Do you need a MumSafe Trainer in your area’ and fill out the form with your details. Body Beyond Baby is the go-to place online for women to find mum-focused fitness services that are all accredited, experienced and partnered with women’s health physios so you know you are in very safe hands. Click here to find a trainer near you.