Potential Post-Birth Issues with Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Ask any woman about her labor, and she will give you a detailed account of the experience. However, after the labor has ended and the baby is happily out of the womb, a woman?s pelvic tissues and muscles have a tremendous amount of healing to do.

Connective tissues, which have stretched to multiple times their original size, gradually begin to shrink. Organs that were pushed and compressed due to uterus expansion will migrate back to their original positions. However, in many cases, these tissues will never be quite the same.

The process of pregnancy and childbirth can leave them slightly weakened and/or shifted out of alignment. Eventually, age, menopause and other factors ? such as smoking and obesity ? can cause pelvic tissues to become so weak that women develop a condition called Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP).

In severe cases of POP, women may require surgical intervention to treat their symptoms. Certain surgical procedures, such as those using vaginal mesh, have been associated with high numbers of health complications. Thousands of women have had negative effects and have since filed vaginal mesh lawsuits against makers of mesh products. By focusing on pelvic health throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period, women can help to avoid future surgical intervention.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

As many as 50 percent of women between the ages of 50 and 79 will be diagnosed with some level of POP. By the time POP is diagnosed, weakened connective tissues and muscles in the pelvis have allowed organs to pull away from their pelvic support and descend toward the pelvic floor.

In many of these cases, the condition is so mild that there are no tangible symptoms. In other cases, the organs can drop onto the vagina and even prolapse into the vaginal canal. Incontinence is a common symptom of POP as well, which is why paying attention to pelvic health is so important for post-birth and beyond.

Preventative Treatment for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Women can help to prevent the development of POP symptoms by focusing on their pelvic health. It is never too late to focus on exercises and physical therapy measures targeting the pelvic floor.

• Healthy Lifestyle Choices. As smoking and obesity are common factors in POP, a healthy diet and regular exercise can help to mitigate its symptoms.
• Kegel Exercises. Pregnant women should begin doing daily Kegels to keep vaginal and pelvic floor muscles toned and strong. Studies have shown that women who do Kegels throughout their pregnancy have fewer incidences of incontinence. After the baby is born, Kegels can help pelvic tissues to heal, and prevent the onset of POP.
• Physical Therapy. Women who experience traumatic vaginal childbirth, or who have a family history of more moderate to severe POP, may want to consult a pelvic physical therapist to learn other postural advice and exercises to promote the return of vaginal and pelvic muscle strength.
• Postnatal Massage. Massages specialized for the pelvis can help the organs to be realigned, increase circulation and work with other physical therapies to promote pelvic health. Some of the most effective massage styles include Shiatsu, Myofascial Release and Maya Massage.

Women who prioritize their pelvic health will be able to minimize their post-birth issues with Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

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Elizabeth Carrollton writes to inform the general public about defective medical devices and dangerous drugs for Drugwatch.com.

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Source: http://blog.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/potential-post-birth-issues-with-pelvic-organ-prolapse/

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