Contraindications for a Prolapsed Bladder (after birth)

[rslomkow]

This is actually on behalf of my wife. After the birth of our son with some encouragement from me she has chosen to do NROL4W as part of her recovery from pregnancy and birth to get her strength back. This is her first time weight lifting since high-school and I have been encouraging her and helping her with technique and motivation.

It is now 7 weeks after the birth and her Gynecologist indicated that she had a lightly prolapsed bladder (bladder sinking into the vaginal cavity). The standard advice on WebMed or such says "avoid heavy lifting"

She is still on stage-1 and currently doesn't have enough muscle balance or mobility to really push heavy weights in the squat or deadlift. She is not peeing herself during the exercises, but for intervals I currently have her doing jumping-jacks which do make her need to use the bathroom after a few sets.

She did experience pain once in the stability-ball crunches in that part of her body, so I am looking for a substitute.

Just curious if:

1) anyone else has had this condition and could give tips?

2) are there certain exercises to avoid of substitute?
I already replaced the stability-ball-jackknifes with Mt. Climbers due to her instability doing the jackknife

3) If there is no pain or leakage is there any reason to pause the program?

thanks for any advice, the gynecologist has no background or understanding of fitness activities and wasn't helpful.

[LancelotsLover]

I am not a doctor (but I am a Sonographer, so I work in healthcare directly), so take this advice or leave it, but it's my 2 cents. I would say if it's only "lightly" prolapsed, and is not causing any definite problems like pain or incontinence, then go for it. Just make sure she's aware of how she's feeling there, and if there's any change, see the doctor.

Also, I tend to recommend Kegels for most problems of that kind. You know, the exercise that involves squeezing the vaginal muscles, hold, relax, repeat as much as possible. Especially have her focus on tightening these muscles when doing exercises that make her tighten the core. Otherwise tightening the core while having the vaginal muscles relaxed can exacerbate the problem with downward intraabdominal pressure. Kegels will help with leakage issues, and is likely to at least prevent further prolapse.

*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. Any advice given herein is meant solely as amateur advice and is not to be taken as any medical endorsement, yadda, yadda, yadda. . . . .

Hope she continues the program and has great gains!

[rslomkow]

Thank you for the comment! It has been difficult to find any information on this topic.

It makes my wife feel better and she will contact her doctor if it does feel strange or painful. So far she is enjoying the program and this is the first time she has ever enjoyed weight lifting. She like that it short, feels like she gets something done and sees some improvement.

[sussan]

Excercise should actually help with the problem, as it strengthens the muscles. Jumping jacks, or any exercise involving jumping may not hurt the body, but may hurt the pride if it causes a quick trip to the bathroom, or worse. Exercise should be making us feel great, not feel embarrested or frustrated over a physical trouble.....so I'd eliminate the aggravating exercises.
Take this for what it is, advice from a person with NO medical training.

[vasha]

You may want to look into a physical therapist, or try some other doctors for advice specific to this issue. I have coworker who got adominal separtation from pregnancy and a PT was able to work with her and give her many execises to do to help her recover.

I also second kegels. I believe most pregnant/postpartum are recommended to do kegels to strengthen the vaginal walls and muscles, which can only help the streching and loss of strength from delivery.

A quick google search does find recommendations to "avoid heavy lifting", my guess is as some ppl "bear down" with that area while lifitng, with out being aware of what they are doing (jsut as some ppl puch out their stomachs while to ab exercises), which would add to the damage. They also don't say how "heavy" heavy lifting is, so it's possible she won't be reaching those weights.

**discailmer: i have no medical training and i am not a doctor. i jsut watch a lot of them on tv (love discovery channel and House MD) and google like a madwoman**