A friend is desperate. Do readers have any information that might help her?
"I suffered a uterine prolapse after my fifth baby was born last winter. I have had five babies in ten years and nursed them all at least two years. I am not overweight at all and I have had very short second stages (actually very short labors). My OB says my muscle tone is great. His theory is that extended breastfeeding has caused such low estrogen levels that the lining of the vaginal wall is very thin. There was probably some ligament damage too. A friend who is a physical therapist has advised me about exercise (mostly kegels).
In my case, the bladder and rectum have herniated too. This is very common when the uterus herniates. All the prolapses are mild to moderate. Here's the big dilemma: surgery to correct the condition is not very successful and is not recommended until one is finished bearing children. Plus with my cancer history and all the chemo damage to my veins, I'm not a great surgical candidate. My physical therapist says she's seen horrible post-surgical cases.
I want to have another baby but I am afraid of further damage. What herbal remedies would strengthen the lining? Have you heard of cases like this? I am hoping that when my fertility returns, estrogen will improve the situation and that if we wait longer between babies, things will be stronger. I'd appreciate any insight you have."
==== [Issue 48 Nov 26, 1999]
Acupuncture can help pull up the prolapse. It works with hernias as well. I have seen women spared of the surgical knife with this treatment. Find yourself a very experienced acupuncturist to work with you.
-Sara Liebling, CNM; www.consciouscare.com
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For womb prolapses there are several good homoeopathic remedies. The most commonly prescribed are probably Sepia 30c, Calcium Fluoride and Magnesium Chloride. The potency would depend on how well the remedy matched the client. The latter two can also be taken as cell salts. I'm sure some exercises could be taught by a trained physiotherapist or yoga teacher.
-Glenis
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I'm surprised you should get such negative feedback. I do this sort of surgery quite often and am very proud of my results over 15 years, and my patients are invariable satisfied with the results. These tissues always need oestrogen support which is why I recommend oestrogen vaginal creams during breastfeeding especially if there is a tendency to or family history of prolapse. You should delay surgery until after finishing childbirth. The problem will get more pronounced after menopause so get the max long term benefit by having surgery as soon as you are ready. This is all dependent on physical examination of the pelvic floor which I obviously can't do from here.
-Phil Watters
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In many cases of mild to severe incontinence, and in several prolapse situations, I have found the rebounder to provide miraculous results. Though your doctor says you have good muscle tone, the uterus cannot prolapse if the pelvic floor is strong. A rebounder is a small trampoline. Empty the bladder first, put on a pad (you will probably leak!), and begin gentle bounces. As you work up to more vigorous exercise, you will find the pelvic floor much strengthened and surgical repair unlikely to be necessary.
-D. Parkin, R.M.
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==== [Issue 51 Dec 17]
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 1 Issues 48 & 51, Nov 26 & Dec 17, 1999)
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