“My recommendation is a colonoscopy” : definitely something I did not expect to hear from my healthcare provider as a healthy 26 year old. In my mind, I have always associated a colonoscopy screening with the middle-aged population, I didn’t think it would be something I would have to worry about so soon.

About a month ago I had a colonoscopy screening due to some issues I have been having postpartum. First off, I was terrified of the procedure in itself. Terrified of the prep, the anesthesia, the possible results. I had a lot of fear in the weeks prior to my procedure but the fear was soon met by relief and even surprise at how easy and seamless the whole process is.

Let’s go back about 3 months when I finally saw my doctor for this issues. After Blair was born I was having GI issues pretty much from the day we got home from the hospital. I was having major issues with bowel habit changes, something I just associated with motherhood and postpartum. When these issues got progressively worse, painful, and concerning symptoms occurred I told myself it was time to see my provider.

I let these symptoms persist for almost three months before any intervention. It was my hope that I could fix the issue on my own with home remedies, over the counter products, and a well balanced diet. I had a newborn to take care of and taking care of my own body was the last thing on my agenda.

First I made an appointment with my OB, a provider I fully trusted and also a friend. I knew I could speak candidly to her as a patient and she would listen and give the best advice. She suggested I see Gastroenterology due to my change in bowel habits, constipation, and rectal bleeding. All concerning symptoms but would most likely have a positive outcome due to my young age and overall health. I have a family history of colon cancer so she thought it would be best to have a consultation with the GI department and then go from there.

About a week later I got in to see the GI department and that is where the provider suggested I have a colonoscopy screening. This came as a shock to me as I thought I would just be receiving advice, possibly a medication prescription, or even a stool test. When she further explained the reasoning for the screening, I had pretty much every indication for a colonoscopy. Indications for a colonoscopy are: gastrointestinal bleeding, unexplained changes in bowel habits, persistent abdominal pain, inflammatory or infectious colitis. Clinically, it made sense that I needed a colonoscopy and I had immediate regret and worry that I had let my symptoms persist for far too long.

The few months leading up to the procedure my symptoms subsided and I was hopeful that we pinpointed the route cause of my issues. I got my GI tract under control, with the help of a balanced diet, hydration, Colace (stool softener), and daily fiber and magnesium supplementation. My medication was working to help with the pain and swelling and I was slowly starting to feel like myself again.

Of course I had my concerns and worries about the procedure but it was truly the simplest process and I want to share my experience to debunk any fears. The day before my procedure I had to be on a clear liquid diet and begin my prep that night. The worst part of the prep for me was the taste of the liquid, it tasted similar to a cough syrup. The morning of the procedure I was NPO and at this point I was so hungry and dehydrated that I could not wait to get it over with.

The whole colonoscopy in itself was about 20 minutes long and I soon woke up to my husband and provider in the recovery room. The provider explained there were no signs of colitis or anything concerning, my colon looked healthy and normal. He did find a small polyp that he fully removed and sent off to pathology. He did not seem concerned and believed the polyp to be benign.

A week later the pathology came back and revealed that the polyp was pre-cancerous, specifically an adenoma. An adenoma has the potential to develop into cancer so this means I will need a follow up colonoscopy in 5 years. Polyps are very common and occur in about 30-50 % of the population. Polyps can also be linked to genetics as well as family history. The discovery of the polyp was almost like an incidental finding and I am so thankful it was removed completely at this time.

While this discovery is scary and shocking I am so thankful for the moments that led up to this: i’m thankful for finally taking ahold of my health and taking care of my body, i’m thankful for my OB, my GI provider, the surgeon. All of this has taught me how important it is to take care of my body and listen when it’s calling out for help.

Any of the symptoms I was experiencing could have easily ben chalked up to “just apart of postpartum” or “they’ll go away eventually, you just had a baby”. GI issues are extremely common post-pregnancy and there are so many solutions to these issues and symptoms. In some cases it may require further testing or screening, like in my case, so I urge new moms and women in general to not ignore any symptoms that are concerning. We do not have to suffer physically throughout postpartum, these symptoms and issues won’t just “go away eventually”. Wether you might need supplementation, lifestyle changes, overall healthy diet, pelvic floor physical therapy, counseling, health coaching there are ways to alleviate and even fix symptoms that have long been associated with postpartum.

We are transforming into the taking care of yourself era and not suffering through motherhood. I wanted to share my experience in hopes of encouraging other women to take control of their health and listen to their bodies when they are struggling. I hope that someone who might be having the same issues that I had sees this and reaches out to their healthcare provider. I hope that a new mom researches how she can support and take care of her health postpartum. I hope a mom in the depths of postpartum finally researches that local pelvic floor PT they’ve heard so much about. It is not to late to take control of your health and take care of yourself.