Let's Talk About Prolapse: The Diagnosis, The Dismissal & The Garment That Changed Everything with Lauren Fleming

This week, Nikki sits down with Lauren Fleming, founder of Hem Support and a fierce advocate for pelvic health and patient autonomy. After being blindsided by a cystocele diagnosis at 6 weeks postpartum—and dismissed by her provider—Lauren couldn't stop thinking: why aren't we educating women about this, and why don't better support options exist? So she built them herself.

Together, they unpack the reality of prolapse (50% of women will experience it), the psychological weight of feeling "broken" postpartum, and why the lack of pelvic health education is unacceptable. Lauren shares her journey from corporate project manager to garment founder, navigating a second pregnancy with prolapse, and why support garments shouldn't make you feel worse. This conversation is vulnerable, validating, and empowering.

Lauren shares:

• Being dismissed at her 6-week appointment despite bringing photos—"it's just your tissues"
• The mental load: "Every single movement, you have that feeling—it's so front of mind"
• 50% of women will develop prolapse (we're bipeds—gravity isn't our friend)
• "Can I even have kids again?"—the fear that comes with zero information
• Why existing garments had thick elastic, butt straps, and Velcro that tore her clothes
• Her planned home birth with baby #2 and what she did differently
• 50% of women doing "Kegels" are actually bearing down 
• Generational silence: "My aunt had that, but we never talked about it"
• Why hard births shouldn't be badges of honor—trauma needs validation, not repetition

Ways to Connect with Lauren: Instagram: @laurensavagefleming Website: hemsupportwear.com