Podcast Episode #245
Exercise, Running & Sports with a Prolapse: One Physio’s Postnatal Journey, with Rosie Purdue
What happens when you’re a women’s health physio and you’re diagnosed with a prolapse? In today’s episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Rosie Purdue of Hatched House—physio, mum of two, and passionate hockey player—who shares her deeply personal journey of recovery, trial and error, and reclaiming her body after prolapse and pelvic pain.
Together we unpack what it’s really like to return to running and sport while managing prolapse symptoms—and how emotional recovery plays just as big a role as the physical.
In this episode we cover:
- Rosie’s personal experience with prolapse after a vaginal birth
- Managing pain from a coccyx fracture and its impact on pelvic floor recovery
- The emotional toll of prolapse—even as a physiotherapist
- Common prolapse symptoms: incomplete bowel emptying, stress incontinence, vaginal bulge
- How Rosie uses tools like splinting, Contiform, and pessaries
- The bother scale and what “worsening” symptoms really means
- Navigating sex, sport, and confidence after diagnosis
- How to know if surgery might be right for you—and when to seek a second opinion
- The difference between structural vs muscular recovery
- Encouragement for new mums navigating early prolapse symptoms
Book a pelvic floor physio appointment at Hatched House with Rosie or Kath: https://www.hatchedhouse.com.au
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In this article you'll find tips to:
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Recognise common but easily missed prolapse symptoms (like bowel issues or incontinence)
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Manage exercise with a prolapse without making symptoms worse
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Use tools like pessaries or Contiform to support your pelvic floor during sport
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Navigate the emotional impact of a prolapse diagnosis
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Understand the difference between anatomical severity and symptom severity
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Trial and personalise conservative prolapse management strategies
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Decide when to seek a second opinion for prolapse surgery
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Balance exercise goals with prolapse-friendly activity modifications
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Monitor your “bother scale” and use it to guide treatment choices
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Approach prolapse recovery with realistic expectations and patience
If you’ve been told you have a prolapse—or suspect you might—returning to exercise can feel daunting. You’re not alone. In this candid conversation on the podcast, I invited fellow physiotherapist Rosie Purdue of Hatched House to share her personal journey of returning to sport while living with pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
Rosie’s story is both validating and empowering for any woman navigating prolapse, pain, or postpartum recovery. She opens up about the emotional impact, the physical setbacks, and the slow, steady return to feeling strong again.
Challenges Faced: When Recovery Isn’t Linear
Despite being a women’s health physio herself, Rosie’s postpartum experience was far from straightforward. After a coccyx fracture during her first birth, her initial focus was on managing intense pain. It wasn’t until nearly a year later—once the pain eased—that symptoms of prolapse began to surface.
What made it even harder? The emotional toll.
“I felt really broken… like, my vagina’s broken,” she says. “And even though I knew all the rehab, I still felt overwhelmed.”
Rosie didn’t experience the classic symptoms of prolapse like heaviness or bulging. Instead, she struggled with incomplete bowel emptying, stress incontinence during sport, and the mental load of ongoing self-management.
Strategies Employed: Finding What Works
Rosie trialled a range of conservative treatments, including pessaries, pelvic floor rehab, and a support device called Contiform—which proved most helpful during high-impact sports like hockey.
She also leaned into what we as physiotherapists often recommend to others:
- Trial and error: Not every tool or exercise worked for her body.
- Function over perfection: Rosie returned to hockey while still symptomatic—because the mental and social benefits outweighed the inconvenience.
- Long-term perspective: She allowed herself time to heal, emotionally and physically, before even considering surgical options.
Importantly, she reminded us that pessaries and other devices aren’t a sign of failure—they’re just one of many tools available to support exercise with a prolapse.
Words of Encouragement: Give Yourself Time
If you’ve been diagnosed with POP or are worried about returning to movement, Rosie has two big takeaways:
- Give yourself time—to physically heal and to mentally come to terms with the diagnosis.
- Be cautious with online forums—advice can vary wildly, and what works for one person might not suit you.
Working closely with a pelvic health physiotherapist is key to understanding your body and tailoring a plan that lets you move confidently again.
Can You Exercise with a Prolapse? Yes, You Can.
Rosie’s story is proof that you can continue to do what you love—even with prolapse. Whether that’s running, playing hockey, or just getting through the day without discomfort, there are options. And most importantly, you don’t have to wait until you’re symptom-free to begin moving again.
Exercise with a prolapse doesn’t have to mean stopping altogether—it just means finding the right support, modifying when needed, and trusting your body again.
If you’re navigating your own prolapse journey, know this: you are not broken. And with the right strategies, support, and patience, movement can still be a joyful part of your life.
** This podcast has general information only. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health or medical condition.
Links
Free Birth Prep Session: https://www.fitnestmama.com/pregnancyworkshop
Preparing for birth Pelvic health checklist
Free 7 Day Trial Pregnancy Workouts
Free 7 Day Trial Postnatal Workouts
Instagram @kathbaquie.physio
