13 months after birth...

[facejacker]

Ok, have name-changed cos am really embarrassed about this problem.

Gave birth to dc over 13 months previous. Had an epidural and dc was a ventous (sp?) delivery. I had superficial tears which healed reasonably well. However, 'down below' looks like a car crash. The vaginal opening is still huge, and I can't feel dh during penetration (so sorry for tmi). I routinely suffer from haemorrhoids, and I cannot control my flow of urine (I haven't had any accidents as such, and can hold my urine reasonably well, but will leak if I hold it too long on the way to the loo, fumbling with buttons etc). I'm still bfing, and the GP said my hormones are not back to 'normal' so it will take time. I am on the list to see a gynae specialist, but really concerned. I've just turned 30, and don't want to think that I will remain like this after only having 1 child.

Does this sound normal?

[facejacker]

anyone?

[Katiebeau]

I was told by an obs consultant the hormones (oestrogen I think, dont quote me) is higher when breast feeding and keeps the pelvic floor slacker than usual. 3 to 6 months after finishing you'll know what you are stuck with. In the meantime keep up the Kelgel exercises.

[mrsm22]

Facejacker - I too am just 30 years old and had my first DS 16 weeks ago and am still having problems which i assume are still baby related although can't be 100% sure of that just yet. It sounds like you had a traumatic/tough labour experience (sort of similar to mine)....i had epidural, forceps, i had to be cut and stitched but also tore (3rd degree tear). Sadly for me, my stitches came undone and i had to wait 7 weeks for the cut (episiotomy) to heal itself up naturally (nightmare, was in agony for weeks). The reason i have replied to your message is because i sometimes can't believe that 16 weeks on from having a baby that I am still not right, and i see that you had your baby even longer ago than me and you are also having problems. Unlike you, i didn't breastfeed but it sounds similar as ventouse delivery i believe is meant to be similar to forceps, which i found very traumatic. And I too am having 'bladder' issues and have already gone to see a uro-gynocologist, so maybe we can help each other....

I don't actually leak or wee myself but the problem i have is that i permanently feel like i need to wee, even after i have just been! It started 8 weeks ago so not immediately after birth. I feel almost like i have a water infection but have been tested a few times now for that and it isn't. I'm terrified as i just want the feeling to go away and like you am concerned that i will stay like this after just one child. I have privately been to see a gyno and she thinks it may be pelvic floor muscles so i'm having physio for that and doing pelvic exercises every day. I have also just started on overactive bladder tablets to try for a month (which may help you if you don't always make it on time and they help you hold yourself longer). I'm hoping the pills help me. I'm also having an ultrasound of my pelvic area next thurs but am so scared in case something is wrong with my bladder. I'm happy to chat with you about the problems you're having on here if you like as it is very hard and worrying and it sounds like you're in a similar boat to me. When did your probs start? I'm also only a small girl/woman and have been told that my DS who weighed 8 pounds 3 was probably too big for me to have had naturally. I don't know how big your baby was? I never imagined having a baby could bring so many problems with it.

[cardamomginger]

Hi Facejacker and mrsm22. So sorry you are both having these problems. It's a horrible shock when things go wrong 'down there' when all you did was to have a baby. There are two threads here that you might find helpful:

Birth Injuries

Birth Injury Repairs

You'll find lots of sympathy, advice and help from women with a wide range of problems, symptoms and experiences of treatment.

Good luck

[Sharkbaitooh]

Hello,

I know this message is being added to the thread a long time after it was originally posted on, but I wondered if either of you had healed and your problems had gone away now?

mrsm22 I would be really interested to know what happened in your situation, it sounds like you have been through so much and sadly when I read your message to the OP it was like reading my own birth and situation, even down to the third degree tear, episiotomy and then the stitches coming undone. I totally agree on the agony of that healing it’s just awful.

My little boy is a year and a half now but suddenly in the last few weeks I have developed the same urge to go to the toilet for a wee, it doesn’t matter how many times I go, it’s always there. I can hold it but it’s like constantly knowing you need to go. It’s making me so down :(. I have booked in to see a pelvic physio and I think I will be referred to a uro-gynae but if you’re out there I would love to know what happened and whether you got some relief (I really hope so!!) .. I have also been put on overactive bladder tablets for a month (amitryptaline) but no luck so far...

[Badgergirl123]

Hello Shark,
Have you had any joy sorting this out? I have the same thing 4 months after having a baby and it sucks!!

[Sharkbaitooh]

Hey Badgergirl,

Sorry to hear you’ve got something similiar going on. Sadly I still have (whatever this thing is) it! I’ve been put on amitryptaline and it seems to be dulling down the feeling but it’s still pretty bad. How are things going for you? I hope you’re ok x

[Badgergirl123]

Hello! I've decided to see a private physio to try and get things sorted. For me, it feels like it must be pelvic floor related as when I sit or lie down I don't have the feeling and standing is better than walking. Whenever I walk the feeling of needing to wee is constant. Hoping this will all be a distant memory one day, can't stay like this forever surely?!
I hope you make some progress soon, I'll let you know what physio says if useful.