Disclaimer: This is a long post:
I am 31 years old and had my 1st baby 9 1/2 weeks ago. I had a difficult delivery, and I have had a difficult postpartum period. My daughter was 8 lbs 2 oz at birth. She was occiput posterior. My OB attempted to rotate her during the pushing phase, but she did not fully turn. I pushed for a little over 2 hours. At that time, we were given the option of using forceps/vacuum with risk of severe laceration or C-section. I went into the labor/delivery process wanting to avoid both of these issues, but you just never know how things will work out. At the time, I was in no shape to really make that decision. My daughter was already engaged in my pelvis at the time, and frankly, either option would have been difficult. So, my OB attempted forceps but they did not work. He used the vacuum. She was delivered sideways. I had an episiotomy with 3rd degree extension. She was born happy and healthy. My initial physical recovery was fine. I do not know if I was running on adrenaline or what, but I remember thinking "wow, I feel great quickly." Mentally, I struggled with the baby blues. I had numerous breastfeeding challenges that ended with mastitis, but we are now breastfeeding successfully. Right before my 6 week postpartum visit, I noticed that "things did not feel right down there." I asked my OB about it like this "are things in the right place?" He said yes and that maybe I had experienced some swelling. Two weeks later I developed an issue with the episiotomy repair, so I returned to him. 1) Part of the episiotomy is not healing completely. 2) I asked AGAIN about the "bulge." He finally got a mirror and showed me that my bladder was indeed prolapsed. Long and short of our conversation was that he sees much worse than mine all day. What? I made an appointment with a urogyn on my own. He assessed the episiotomy issue and put me on antibiotics and diagnosed me with grade 2 anterior (bladder), grade 1 apical (uterus) and grade 1 posterior (rectum) prolapses. I am devastated by this. Most days, I feel the bulge of my bladder with all activity, including walking, sitting, etc. At times, I feel like I cannot fully empty my bladder. The urogyn said no surgery until we decide we are done with having children. He set me up to do pelvic floor therapy with his NP and told me to do Kegels on my own. He said that a pessary may help if the therapy does not. I am so depressed now. I feel like I will never be normal again - never be able to enjoy physical activity, never be able to run/play/jump/lift my baby, never be able to have sex again, etc. all without discomfort or fear of making things worse. I am also so sad that I feel traumatized and scared to ever have any more children. We had planned on at least 2. I am so desperate for help. So, my questions are these:
1) Anyone out there my age or know anyone my age who is dealing with this and what is/was the outcome? Any others who are NOT my age, please feel free to answer as well!
2) Any idea if things get better on their own, given that I am 9 1/2 weeks postpartum? Does breastfeeding make it worse?
3) Any success with pelvic floor therapy?
4) Any success with a pessary and how long can you use them (i.e., years)?
5) How do you cope emotionally? I am a wreck...
6) Any other information, advice, suggestions, etc.?
Thanks.