First Appt with the Physiotherapy

So following the check up on my U-Prolapse as mentioned in this entry here, I had my first Physio therapy session yesterday. Gotta blog about it so I can remember the notes shared by the therapist.

Disclaimer: Please, please... PLEASEEEE read this with an open mind and don't think I take pleasure blogging something so private like this like it's easy to do so. The reason why I'm blogging about this is because I don't see anyone local sharing about Prolapse so if this helps anyone out there who is facing this condition just like me, then yes... I've done my part.
//End of Disclaimer//

So, anywayyy... The automated text sent by KKH stated that I can't be late because its strictly by appointment. Heh. So we reached 15 minutes earlier than the appointment time at the Rehab clinic at KKH and self-registered.

Soon after, I met my therapist. To be honest, I didn't have a high expectation on the session. Haha. I had a feeling it was going to be sub-par by learning on how to do Kegel exercises on the basic level. But I was proven wrong.

I explained to her the series of events that happened in relation to my U-Prolapse episode. It was nice because she responded just like a friend so that made me comfortable (as opposed to a cold response with just "mhmm", "ok", "mhmmm" then make you feel like it's not so serious haha).

The therapist (let's call her M.F.) showed me a picture of the anatomy of the pelvic floor - something like the picture below:

(Credit: Pelvic Floor First)

MF explained that the red coloured "tissue" from the pubic bone all the way to the spine at the coccyx is where the pelvic floor muscles are. It "supports" the urethra, uterus and the rectum. Over time, as we age, the pelvic floor muscle will weaken and it's something that we can't avoid due to wear and tear. But since I am still young, she said I still can do Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles.

MF then showed me on how Kegel exercise works. It's basically like controlling your flatulence, by holding it in? Haha. I checked with her whether is it the same feeling like holding our bladder midstream while pee-ing and MF explained that yes, but it is not recommended to hold our bladder halfway frequently NOT because it weakens the pelvic floor muscles, but because it will cause Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) especially for us women because the length of our urethra is shorter than men. If we hold and stop our pee midstream, the pee that was going to exit, gets sucked back in and it will cause bacteria forming. Ahhh... Baru kakak faham. 

Once that was done, MF did an examination on me to check the severeness of my condition. I told her that I suspected I was a Stage 2 according to articles I read online. Like this one here. But according to my explanations to her, she suspected that my condition is still at Stage 1. 

I lied down on the bed (undergarments off), opened my legs, bent my knees, and followed her instructions to cough once. Followed by a second cough. MF told me that she only sees it descending at the second cough. After which, MF told me to try doing the Kegel exercises to check whether I'm doing it correctly (while still being in the same position). *Awkwardddd O.O

She said I did it correctly the first time, just that I tend to lift my butt slightly up while at it. I was supposed to not lift my butt up at all. Tried again and this time it's corrected. 

The next check was even more....awkward (errrr). She had her surgical glove on, applied some gel on it, apologized (haha errrr) and inserted a finger to know how long am I doing the Kegel exercises for, by asking me to hold it in as long as I can, and feeling my "squeeze". (Can I put on an oversized paper bag over my head already? So embarrassing seh... yeeeeksss).

"1...2...3........18...19...20. Good. Try again"

"1...2...3......14...15.... Okay, you already lose it at 15 seconds but that's good too"

"Yours is a Stage 1". Alhamdulillah. 

Felt relieved that at least my Kegel exercises were corrected, even though embarrassing ah haa..haa... Alhamdulillah. 

MF then continued explaining on modifying the task and chores that I am doing on a daily basis to ensure that it doesn't worsen the condition of my prolapse. She started by telling me that for emptying on bowels, to never squat down to do it. For a person with healthy pelvic floor, this position is good as the intestine is straight down. But for someone with a less healthy pelvic floor, the abdominal mass above the bladder, uterus and the rectum will cause a strain and additional stress plus weight on the pelvic floor and worsen the condition. Wow, something new we all learned huh?

Other than that, she explained that for my case, as I'm of a petite size, currently pregnant and have to carry my son, both weight will add on to the stress on my pelvic floor muscles even more. *sweats drip emoticon* Boohoo. Not my fault seh for being this small size :( Therefore, she taught me on ways on how to modify carrying my son up. 

Since my son is currently sleeping on the tilam laid down on the floor (note to self: baby-proofing post coming up next time insya'Allah), and I'm sleeping on the bed, there'll be times where he cries and I have to carry him up. For this, she explained that I have to have a stool as close as possible to him, and before I carry him, to start doing my Kegel...hold it in...carry him up on my lap, and relaxxxx (my pelvic floor).... Before I stand up while carrying him, I start my Kegel again...hold it in... carry him up and once I'm in a proper standing position, I can relaxxxx.... I cannot do the conventional way of squatting down, carry him up and stand straightaway. It will worsen my condition. Squatting down is a total no-no for now. No jumping, and no running as well. 

MF told me that it will take at least 2 months for me to see results if I do 10 sets (15-20 seconds per set), 3 times a day. I can even split it up to 2 sets, do my work, and continue doing the remaining again later. It doesn't have to be consecutive all 30 sets at one go. Nais!

MF also mentioned that at times when I anticipate a cough/sneeze coming, I should quickly do a quick Kegel exercise to ensure that the pelvic floor muscle is being "squeezed". Noted!

Learned so much in just a session. So so thankful. Alhamdulillah :)

Oh, before we ended the session, I checked with MF to confirm whether it was a Uterus Prolapse and not a Bladder Prolapse, and yes, mine is a Uterus Prolapse. I also checked with her whether it is necessary for me to do the pessary application and she said nope. Phew! At least that is one worry off! :) Mine is considered mild and according to her, prolapse can go as bad as Stage 4 where the whole uterus will slip outside the vagina. That is when surgery is required. Yikes! Naudzubillah min dzalik. 

My next follow up with MF will be in 2 months time, insya'Allah. Since my check up on the 13th of Jun, I have yet to experience another prolapse. Hopefully I'll see improvements in 2 months time. Aamiin. :)

Oh congratulations for reading till the end of my awkward but fruitful session with my therapist. :/ Haha! :)

Something new

It's about 4am in the morning and I'm done with cooking sahur for the day.

Since there is still some time till I wake Mr. J up, Imma share with you about something that happened to me.

On the 5th of June last week, I experienced something different happening to my body. In short, I think I had a prolapse. (Click on the link to view how it is).

The reason why I'm sharing this is because I realise not many Asians share about this? The forums I read are more to Caucasian women. I am not sure whether it's a culture thing (because Asians are more conservative?) or it generally happens only to Caucasian women.

So on the eve of my birthday, we made our way to KKH to do a check up on the suspected prolapse. Turned out when they did their check on me, the supposed prolapse "went back in". It could be that it went back in because the waiting time was quite a while *laugh*

Mr. J and I explained to the doctor and nurse on duty that it really happened and that something was out. But we had no picture to show them... so they couldn't diagnose me proper and we left home "empty handed".

The doctor did explain to me that prolapse generally happen to older women because their pelvic muscle weakens over time OR to women who had gone through multiple vaginal births. It can happen to women of my age, but very rare... Oh well... What could it be, then?

During the week till my next appointment on the 13th, I did some Kegel exercises following the instructions I got from the internet, but it doesn't seem effective on me. I am not sure whether I am doing it correctly as of now but I feel that the situation improved when I'm on full bed rest.

There are days I had no choice but to carry my 8.6kg son (ringan betul dia haha), and do the house chores. Those are the days where I could feel it descending down, but not exactly "out".

Until on the eve of my appointment date on the 12th.

That particular day we were out to our new home (Reno has started weee!!) and we sent off my parents and sister off to Umroh. And night time to Tan Tock Seng to visit Mak. So there was a whole lot of walking.

Went home, cleaned up, and yes, hello there - it came out again!

Of course this time we managed to snap a picture so I could show the doctor on duty for my appointment the next day.

Doctor did some checks and confirmed that its a uterus prolapse. Suspected to be caused by my previous childbirth. (Alhamdulillah, at least it wasn't a growth).

She suggested to either:
- Meet up with Physiotherapist to learn on how to strengthen my pelvic muscles the correct way
OR
- Meet up with Gynecologist that specializes in this area and insert a pessary (some sort of a rubber ring) to hold it in place. It is non surgical so it is highly recommended for women of my age/women who are currently pregnant/women who would like to have more children.

We ended up taking both her suggestions as I feel I may need the pessary application for this pregnancy.

Cobaan for me for this pregnancy but Insya'Allah all will be well.

On a side note, I remember reading an entry by a sister who feels sad that it seems very easy for other women to get pregnant (she is currently on a TTC journey). I don't blame her for feeling so. I know that feeling.

But I just would like to say that, even though it may seem "easy" for other women to get pregnant, it may not be an easy journey during their pregnancy. We may not show to people what we are going through during the pregnancy. All people could see are the beautiful rosy pictures of women with a beautiful bump. But behind all the beauty, are trials that we go through, not everyone know of. :(

My previous pregnancy with Adriaan - bleeding now and then. Even got hospitalised for it.
My current pregnancy with this baby - Uterus prolapse.

I take it that Allah nak kasi pahala extra, insya'Allah.

For all the sisters that still yearn for a child, my prayers are with you. May you be able to experience a beautiful life growing inside of you soon. Aamiin. <3