Advice from an Expert: Dr. Amanda LaDue, PT, DPT of Streamline Physical Therapy on Prolapse
The Align Doulas have been fortunate enough to have an ongoing relationship with Dr. Amanda LaDue of Streamline Physical Therapy. She was kind enough to attend one of our doula enrichment events where she spoke to us about the benefits of physical therapy before, during, and after pregnancy, in addition to answering other questions and concerns that have arisen with the families we serve.
Recently, one of our doulas, Zara, reached out to her for information about Prolapse after delivery. According to whattoexpect.com, “Pelvic organ prolapse (or POP) occurs when one or more pelvic organs…descend into the vagina from their normal positions. This can happen when the muscles and tissues of the pelvic floor become weakened or damaged.”
Dr. Amanda’s information was so incredible that we knew it just had to be shared! Thank you Dr. Amanda for giving us permission to share this valuable knowledge!
Looking to connect or learn more from Dr. Amanda? Find her at Streamline Physical Therapy!
“Thank you for reaching out! I’m happy to share what I can about prolapse to help make sure all families have the information they deserve on this topic.
First, I want to emphasize that feelings of heaviness and pressure (prolapse) are common after labor and delivery. It will not last forever as your body continues through the healing process. A beneficial way to support healing is to practice proper exercises for these symptoms. I’ll include more on that below.
Second, I always want to reiterate that your organs WILL NOT fall out of your body! Some doctors may oversimplify the term prolapse by saying “your uterus is falling out of your vagina.” Fortunately, that is incorrect. Your uterus will not fall out onto the floor when you sneeze, cough, stand, use the restroom, etc. The vagina is a closed cylinder with one exit from the body. What is happening with prolapse is that ligaments and muscles that are usually supporting your inner organs are elongated and fatigued from labor and delivery, and are having a hard time supporting the uterus, bladder, or rectum. When there isn’t enough support, those organs press on the tissues of the vaginal canal. If you can see a ‘bulge’ in your vaginal opening, it is NOT your uterus. It is the vaginal tissue that the uterus is resting on. While this can be uncomfortable, nothing can or will fall out.
There are two initial exercises that can help strengthen your pelvic floor. The first is a stretch that should be done for about 10 minutes if you are having symptoms. To do it, simply lay on the floor with your legs up on a wall or couch. This position uses gravity to help relieve symptoms of heaviness or pressure. If you are having difficulty using the bathroom due to prolapse-related symptoms, this position can be especially beneficial before using the restroom.
The second exercise is to initiate pelvic floor contractions (also known as kegels). To do a kegel, contract your pelvic floor while you exhale. You can do 5-10 contractions at a time, a few times each day. The easiest way to feel the contractions happening is to do them while laying on the floor.
These exercises are a great way for anyone to get started with relieving their prolapse symptoms, but I also highly recommend that anyone experiencing prolapse seek out pelvic floor physical therapy to improve their symptoms and comfort. Once a physical therapist meets with a client and evaluates them, they can recommend additional exercises and tactics that would be more specific to their individual symptoms.
I hope that this information can help clients get some relief from their prolapse symptoms. Feel free to reach out with additional questions, or to set up a consultation.”
Dr. Amanda LaDue (she/her), PT, DPT
Streamline Physical Therapy
amanda@streamlinephysio.com
815-991-4255