Thread: Dancing with a prolapsed womb?

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the advice you gave me last time about a student with a hip replacement! This time I wonder if you have any wisdom about another potential student - this one has a prolapsed womb...

She tells me she's been advised not to go to the gym (by her doc), but she feels she'll 'know when to stop' if she comes to class. She is due to have a hysterectomy in a few months. She seems quite saavy about her condition and I'm not sure how dancing could make it any worse (since it's pretty bleak already).

(I really want to accommodate her cos she's lovely so I might teach veil - and segats, she could accompany the class I suppose!!)

Any wisdom you'd like to share? Thanks lots.
Elspeth x

I have to admit that I had to look up what a prolapsed womb is, exactly. Given that weak pelvic floor muscles are a potential cause, bd could help... but honesty I wouldn't touch it. If her doctor has advised her NOT to exercise, you are putting yourself under major liability to take her on as a student. Just MO.

If you really want to help her, I would advise her to talk to her doctor and get a written consent from him/her before you allow her into class. Also, make sure she signs a liability waiver and make sure your liability insurance will cover her. I understand you want to help her, but you need to protect yourself as well... plus you want to make sure you don't inadvertently hurt her. Make sure you are fully informed about her condition--better to get info from a medical source and not rely on her to tell you.

Good luck!

Things like zills and veil wouldn't hurt a prolapsed uterus but things like stomach rolls would put downward pressure on it which may make it worse. The uterus is already protruding through the vaginal area in most cases. I think she could take classes as long as it does not have stomach work in the class.

A classmate just went through this. She was not able to do any deep stretching or open-legged movements while she was waiting for the surgery, but some moves, like reverse camels, are supposed to help (especially if you're starting them off with a Kegel squeeze).

She was out 6 weeks and feels great now, back to class as usual.

I'd say to this lovely ladie: "Hie thee to the doc -- and do what he/she says in this particular situation!"

Deborah

I don't know how much time you want to devote to this, but if you want to go the extra mile, you could give the student some video clips to show the doctor, so s(he) can see what's involved. Even just the URLs of some suitable youtube clips would probably be helpful.

Regardless, I wouldn't do it unless she have express permission from the Dr. (and I would ask for either a letter from the Dr. or a signed statement from the student that says that she has her doctor's permission to proceed, and is assuming all risk).

If the doctor has said "No gym", my instinct would be to say (and put it in writing) that she shouldn't come to class, until she's had the surgery to resolve her health issues, at which point you will welcome her with open arms.

I would encourage her to do what her Dr. says and abstain from class till after her surgery. I would tell her you will look forward to having her in class but are concerned about her going against her Dr.'s wishes. If you still want her to feel included in the group, maybe you, some of your other students and her could get together and go out for dinner, have a video party or something else bonding.

Even with a note from her Dr., does he or she really understand what we do in class enough to give an educated "okay?" I would say play it safe rather than sorry and encourage her to wait.

Lisa

Thanks folks, I really appreciate your help. Your comments are very interesting - espcially from the dancers in the more litigious parts of the world! I'm going to talk it over with her and emphasise that she shouldn't put herself at risk of more discomfort (at best). She knows the dance will still be alive in six months!!
Thanks again. xx

Maybe you could start her on zills or drumming until then? That would get her involved with the dancing community until she has the surgery. She could also do hand and arm work. If you do that, I would def have an agreement that those are the only services you are providing, and anything else she does without your knowledge and at her own risk, to safe guard your liability. She could also probably have a perfect shoulder shimmy by the time she has the surgery!

Rachel

Many bellydance moves apply to much pressure (I would shimmy to help dialate my cervix late in pregnancy and it works better than any of the dr's tips which means they allow for a certain amount of 'bearing down' on the pelvic floor and even sharp hip drops can apply pressure) Sure, bellydance can strengthen those pelvic floor muscles but she would need that strength already not be trying to develop it now... if you do ultimately allow her to come play zill or drum she is going to try to move when she gets alone (especially when you teach shimmies 'cuz everyone wants to learn to shimmy.) Imagine how you will feel if you allow her to come and she ends up injuring herself at home trying something you showed the class... If she was already an established student (of several years) I might think it possible for her to have the strength required to attend safely but for a newbie... ! Find other ways (outside of class) to involve her so that she keeps her interest and be sure to tell her about the benefit of bellydance strengthening her pelvic floor post-surgery. Also make sure she knows you are taking a genuine interest in her well-being by researching the condition and taking a look at the potential effect of the dance upon her... For the record, this isn't a 'safe' dance for someone with incontinence issues either.w.:, well, I guess that Depends..l;, ! Ask me how I know ... but this dance does help re-develop control after childbirth or surgery !
Blessings,
Rach

Originally Posted by songofincense

For the record, this isn't a 'safe' dance for someone with incontinence issues either.w.:, well, I guess that Depends..l;, ! Ask me how I know ...

?? .w.:

Well, I did tell you to ask... I have a friend whose had 5 children, including one set of twins. Her first 2 delivery's were at a Naval hospital where episiotomy's are still somewhat standard proceedure... It takes a awhile to regain control of leakage during sharp hip movement or any belly work, or sneezing, laughing, coughing or just sitting there minding her own business ...
Okay, okay, it's me... I'm the friend! I confess! *sighs and wipes forehead* Boy these interigation rooms are pretty stressful! I should have asked for my lawyer..c:: ...

So you mean dancing is not advised just during the post-partum healing process? Or while there are any leakage issues (which can hang around indefinitely)? I know quite a few women from class that have some this problem and if dancing is detrimental, I would think that's an important thing to note!

P.S. Songofincense you have FIVE kids?? *faints*

Originally Posted by nasila

So you mean dancing is not advised just during the post-partum healing process? Or while there are any leakage issues (which can hang around indefinitely)? I know quite a few women from class that have some this problem and if dancing is detrimental, I would think that's an important thing to note!

I've been told by students over the years that belly dancing proved to be helpful with incontinence because it does help strengthen the pelvic floor. HOWEVER, at first the movement caused leakage, and therefore protective undergarments were a good idea initially. Over time, as the dancing helped strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, the protection became unnecessary and the student no longer had the incontinence problem.

Originally Posted by nasila

So you mean dancing is not advised just during the post-partum healing process? Or while there are any leakage issues (which can hang around indefinitely)? I know quite a few women from class that have some this problem and if dancing is detrimental, I would think that's an important thing to note!

P.S. Songofincense you have FIVE kids?? *faints*

No,no... only during post-partum or in the case of Elspeth's potential student until after her surgery and her doctor releases her to resume physical activity! I think many people don't realize how much energy is involved in this art! Just because we make it look effortless doesn't mean that it is ...
As Shira said, MED helps with incontinence but initially there are leakage issues connected to sharp movement of any form, dance related or not -- even when you don't 'have to go' ... I was just being playful when I said "it isn't a 'safe' dance for people with incontinence issues..." because leakage will happen, hence I followed with "I guess that Depends" refering to the disposable undergarment marketed as protection against leakage ...
Sorry, I just didn't understand what you were asking..c:: . No definitely not detrimental beyond the embarrassment factor. Again, bellydance helps strengthen those muscles and rebuild control.
Yes, I have 5 kids -- hence I have an alter-ego which leaves the house and becomes a bellydance goddess several times a week and helps the less glamourous shorts, tank, & ponytail clad side maintain a semblence of sanity ! As with everything else for a woman you just do what you have to do when you have to do it!