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Prolapse might be the single most fear-loaded word in postpartum health. Not because of what it is. Because of how little anybody tells you about it.
This week we're rewinding to one of our season one conversations, with Dr. Cheryl Iglesia, MD, urogynecologist here in Washington DC and one of the very first mentors I had in pelvic health.
My first pelvic health job was at National Rehab Hospital back in 2001, and a couple days a week I was over in her office with absolutely no idea that I was standing next to a LEGEND in the field. (I figured that out later. Much later.)
Here's what I want you to hear in this one. She says out loud that part of being a good surgeon is knowing when NOT to operate. Then she spends the rest of the hour showing you what that actually looks like.
🔹 What prolapse is, and how urogynecologists actually grade it
🔹 Why "elective" does not mean "cosmetic"
🔹 How much bigger conservative care is than most people realize: pelvic floor PT, pessaries, local hormones, bulking agents
🔹 What changed in prolapse surgery over 30 years, and the honest version of the mesh story
🔹 The average age of a prolapse surgery patient, which is younger than you're picturing
🔹 Why two women with the same exam can have completely different symptoms, and what muscle tone has to do with that
🔹 How to tell whether the provider in front of you is actually listening
If you've been handed a diagnosis and a surgery date and not a whole lot in between, this is the conversation I want in your ears. You are not doomed to a life in an armchair. You have options, and you're allowed to ask for all of them.
Which option did nobody explain to you?
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Dr. Cheryl Iglesia, MD, FACOG, FPMRS is Director of the Section of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and Director of the National Center for Advanced Pelvic Surgery at MedStar Health. She is also Professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Urology at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and is double board-certified in Ob/Gyn and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery with more than 30 years in the field. Find her on X at @cheryliglesia.
Free resources for pregnancy, postpartum and perimenopause are at carriepagliano.com.
Time Stamps
1:00 introduction
3:15 fear surrounding pelvic organ prolapse
10:00 conservative care before surgery
18:14 pelvic floor prolapse or decreased tone
26:45 recommendations for getting additional care
28:45 tissue healing and RED-S
30:10 PTs collaborating with surgeons
CONNECT WITH CARRIE
IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/
Website: https://carriepagliano.com
CONNECT WITH CHERYL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cbiglesia/
Website: https://www.medstarhealth.org/doctors/cheryl-bernadette-iglesia-md
The Active Mom Podcast is A Real Moms' Guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond for active moms & the professionals who help them in their journey.
This show has been a long time in the making!
You can expect conversation with moms and professionals from all aspects of the industry.
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The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.
Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).
Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.
Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌
