Vaginal Birth after Prolapse – Kat’s Story

Life after Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) was a struggle. 

I’d always wanted a big family but after POP I was just so scared.  I told my husband I didn’t think I could have another child, my body had suffered enough.

But somewhere amongst all the physio, counselling and connecting with other mums who had POP I changed my mind.  I had to work through a lot of emotional trauma as well as the issues around POP.

I didn’t have a supportive birth experience in the public system, so we decided to upgrade our private cover and found an OBGyn we liked and trusted.

I was much kinder to my body the second time around.  I worked less and slept more!  I tried really hard to limit lifting my 2 yo daughter.  I wore a pessary for the first two trimesters.  I gained a total of 11 kg instead of the whopping 26 kg I put on with my first!

I explained my fears of prolapse and of being alone during labour.  My OBGyn actually requested that the midwives provided “lots of tender loving care” during my labour!

I felt a lot more anxious leading into the birth as I was more aware of all the things that might go wrong…. I went through the URCHOICE screening tool with my physio to decide on vaginal birth or caesarean.

I’m happy to tell you I had a healing second vaginal birth.  My midwife was there as much as I needed and my OBGyn let my hubby lift our son out and up onto my chest straight away.  I was so happy I cried!

And guess what?  I didn’t make my prolapse any worse.  For me, it was the right choice – an informed choice!  

Each woman is different, each body and birth is different…. Believe in yourself and do what is right for you.