to think the NHS should give a damn about my front bottom?

[hidingforthis]

Because the NHS does not care at all.

Since having my two huge babies removed with the help of forceps my pelvic floor has put in a rather disappointing performance. When I run it refuses to co-operate and leaks wee, when I jump it does the same, when I sneeze it takes its cue to partially empty my bladder. When it really wants to embarrass me it lets out a fanny fart. Oh the shame.

And everyday I do my pelvic floor exercises. Just like I did throughout pregnancy. But what does the bloody GP suggest? Pelvic floor exercises. Once I made such a fuss I was referred to a physio who suggested: pelvic floor exercises. She checked I was doing them right. I was. So she told me to do more.

AIBU to think that an NHS that pays for breast enlargements to avoid depression, and stomach stapling for the obese etc etc etc should actually be prepared to help 30 somethings who have really embarrassing and limiting conditions due to childbirth? Conditions that are only likely to get worse. Conditions that put them off having more kids. I could go so far as to blame the NHS who let a student doctor try her first forceps delivery on me and her first episiotomy repair too. That was fun. But I do not blame the doctors, I just want them to help me now.

when i saw the physio, it was a ongoing treatment, once a month for 9 months until they were sufficiently strong. You can get a pf toner on prescription now, don't know what it's called though.

Do you feel up to another physio referral, request to see a different physio if appointment letter comes through and it is the same one?

See here for NHS treatment options. Once you have had a look, go and make a fuss. If you badger them repeatedly, they will do something

No wonder people go on embarrasing bodies if the NHS is like this!

But why should this be on the NHS if you are planning more children?

They can do more. My MIL had continence issues post-children and had an operation to fix things. Badger them more, and even be a bit rude when they say "pelvic floor exercises" - i.e. "I've been doing them every bloody day for [however long] and it has not worked. If you don't start helping me instead of fobbing me off I am going to start complaining."

YANBU! ask for second opinions, you are entitled to second opinions!

sometimes NHS physios are rubbish, not that they are bad physios individually, just that they have such short slots that they have to be a bit one-size-fits-all

I was going to suggest a pelvic floor toner as well. Amazon have a good selection.

As for the NHS, well, to be fair, this IS the first line of treatment, and will help most women. You need to go back and let them know it isn't helping you.

If necessary, see a different GP in your practice (if you feel you've been fobbed off before). Tell them you've done everything you've been advised to do, and it still isn't working. Tell them the Physio checked and you are doing the right exercises, you've increased the number of times you do them and see no improvement. The GP should then refer you to a specialist who will investigate further.

Good luck!

A pf toner someone please tell me how these help? Do they do the job for you? Or at least make it easier?

I really struggle with pf excercises I really hate them.

blackberry because it's a health problem that shouldn't happen, maybe that's why. We give gastric bands in the NHS, do you suppose they shouldn't eat again? That's not really a good point because most of the time it's their own fault. But this woman, through no fault of her own is experiencing discomfort.

Theres loads of different types, which one's best??

because it is cheaper to treat before the problem gets even worse which is a possibility of having further children

because despite what we are told, leaking when running/jumping shouldn't be a side effect of giving birth and not something we should be fobbed off with having to put up with

because you can't exercise if you have weak pf which will also cost the nhs money and fitness effects pg health as well

I am sorry to hear that you are suffering so badly. It is awful that you have been fobbed off with more pelvic floor exercises when frankly you have more extreme incontinence than the average mother. I wonder if you suffered nerve damage from the horrific labour.

"But why should this be on the NHS if you are planning more children? "

What a horrible post.

For the same reason that someone who suffers postnatal depression twice gets treatment both times. If a mother suffers SPD in two pregnancies then she might be offered crutches and a wheelchair on both ocasions.

I imagine that OP will want an elective c-section after the hell she suffered.

somebody will come along and chastise you for using 'front bottom'

Just a friendly warning OP (even though it is clear that this is an acceptable term because I use it too )

(sorry, no advice but interesting/disheartening to read that you have had little support from the NHS with this matter)

You poor thing . I agree with you. The damage was inflicted by forceps and so the NHS should correct the issues you now have.

Blackberry - you ask why the NHS should help when I am considering more children. First, I said I was not considering more kids because of this. Secondly, why on earth shouldn't the NHS help even if I was going to have more kids? The NHS helps smokers cure chest infections and alcoholics mend stomach ulcers, marathons runners who sustain injuries are not refused treatment unless they promise to stop running, STDs are cured in people who will have sex again...

The NHS will only care if you do, so you have to make lots of fuss and be demanding if you want good treatment when it comes to things that aren't life threatening. Or you have to go private. Sad but true.

It can be fixed easily. I was exactly as you describe. Had a band operated in to lift the bladder and had got a new life. Short operation with keyhole surgery under GA, 2 weeks off work.
Ask to be referred to a specialist. If PF exercises don't work you will probably need an operation like I had.

Op... I said 'if' not 'when'... If

I would think it's an invasive procedure. And as others have said, surgery isn't the only option

I would recommend getting referred back to the physios, and getting them to hook you up to one of their machines. I go once a week, and get to see my score increasing if I've done my exercises . It's like playing a computer game and I can watch my efforts on the computer screen....So undignified it's funny. (Those machines costs thousands, and are far more complex than the ones you can buy in the shops)

re. PF toners, my physio recommended to me a Neuro Trac Simplex.

Also, worth going back to doctors to be referred to physios, because if the Dr says you are suffering from a chronic condition, you are VAT exempt.

I don't think PF exercises will solve my issues. But if it ever comes to surgery, I think I will recover more quickly etc if my PFs are better!

So why don't the NHS help then?

OP that is shit and I say that as someone who paid for my own breast reduction privately. I had a TVT (tension free vaginal tape) done in January on the NHS and haven't looked back.

I had to jump through hoops and see a continence advisor nurse and yes, she had to tell me to do pelvic floor excercises.

I was quite insistent that I did and on examination, it was found that there was nothing wrong with my muscles.

I was refered quite quickly and the consultant laughed when he asked how long I had had the symptoms (8 years, since having my first son). He did the proceedure no problem and I can even bounce with the kids on the trampoline with no problem.

Go and tell them you want a TVT.
I am not around for the rest of the night, but will take a look to see how you are doing tomorrow.

My friend had this. She put up with it for over 10 years. She worked really hard with all the pelvic floor exercises but it made no difference. In the end she got it sorted out privately (well through health insurance anyway). Its a bit rubbish if you don't have that option though.

Sorted out privately through an operation is what i meant to say.

blackberryice because they prefer to go down the non costly route first, ie getting people to do pelvic floor exercises.

They do help, they just don't like doing if they can help it. Costs...