To think my bloody pelvic floor should work?

[Treesandbees]

Had baby 11 mo ago (long labour, big baby, emergency theatre delivery via forceps and lots of force). Been doing the exercises and lots of fitness classes. Wee myself every time I go faster than a light jog, run up or down incline, double sneeze, bounce etc. Once it starts it's not easy to control (cue wee down leg whilst running down big hill last week).

Other friends don't seem to be suffering. Am I being unreasonable to think this isn't ok but is the GP going to help?? Last time I mentioned it I was dismissed with a 'its normal after a baby and by a year it will be back to normal'. Well it's far from bloody normal...

Are you exercising the right muscles, I bought an aquaflex pelvic floor exercise cones so I knew I was doing the right exercises.

Not recommended if you have a prolapse.

However book a GP appointment to make sure every thing is ok.

Also always use a pad, I know it can be embarrassing but hopefully it will not be too long.

Yanbu. So sorry. This is not something you should have to put up with. Please do see your gland get a referral to gynae who specialises in pelvic floor damage.

There are 2 threads in General Health that you might find helpful. The 'ragged bits' thread and the 'any old prolapsr' thread. Can't link, but if you can't find them, start a thread in General Health asking where they are and someone who can link will help you.

This is all fixable. Xx

See a different gp if necessary, if this one is an arse.

No, it's not normal and it's not OK.

You need to see a gynae and a woman's health physiotherapist.

Although... just as a warning: the physio will insert fingers and ask you to clench around them to test your technique

But it really is fixable.

After 11 months the pelvic floor exercises should have helped, I think you need to get GP to refer you to a specialist physic and to gynae. Poor you, I hope things improve soon.

It's not bloody normal. The laissez faire approach of some HCPs to "women's issues" makes me so cross! Like my discussion with my go about my muscle separation when she blithely informed me that I'd need to be able to get a fist in before the NHS would help me. It may be common for childbirth to cause these issues but it doesn't mean we should put up with it and hope our bodies magically fix themselves (often they don't).

This site is run by a mumsnetter (I think she's a physio specialising in bladder issues) and might help.

GP not go obvs

Women's health physio, stat. Get your GP to refer you

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm so relieved that I don't have to put up with this. Booking GP apt first thing!

Please see a specialist for advice. (Perhaps you should ease up on the fitness classes and running for now as these can put strain downstairs and do low-impact (walking, swimming) instead (and keep up the pelvic floor exercises). Hope it improves soon.

I had a similar issue after forceps birth. Referred to physio straight away which has helped. It's not pleasant but having the physio feel how you are exercising internally really helps you perform the exercises correctly. Damage can take up to 18 months to repair.

I would push for a referral and possibly even see about a private physio if you can afford it.

Good luck

YANBU

I made my GP examine me a few months after birth and she said was fine. I knew something was not right. Luckily, I have an NHS Gynae for other issues so made an appt. Took literally a few seconds for them to diagnose my prolapse.

I saw Gynae Physio and the guidance is really useful: I thought I was holding kegels for up to 10 secs but she said I was letting go much earlier! They can give you a routine and make sure you are doing exercises well.

Are you breastfeeding? It can keep the estrogen low and make things much worse. I won't be able to even think about jogging til I stop feeding I think.

I recently got a DVD Hab-it for the pelvic floor and it is amazing. The instruction from the Physio is so detailed and fantastic.

Keep pushing! You deserve better.

Jeez - tell me about it! I bought a mini trampoline the other day for my "home workout" and I only had a couple of bounces before I had to wee!

DId you see the fallen fanjos guest post last month?
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/guest_posts/2085688-Guest-post-Stress-incontinence-Fallen-fanjos-are-a-feminist-issue

Just because it's common doesn't mean it's normal, don't get brushed off and see a gynae / women's physio. Minor bladder prolapse can make the problem worse; I wasn't aware I had one until I got a GP referral to someone who knew what they were doing.

Try doing exercises whilst in a deep squat or if you can't yet, sat upright with legs wide open. It's much more challenging so should have a better outcome :)

Women's health physio.

I've been told a lot of women think they're doing their pelvic floor exercises correctly when they aren't at all.

Go get a referral!

I had a fallen bladder after my son's birth 30 years ago. It was fixed, but now it is leaking again. Tena Lady is my absolute friend!!

I've been having physio for my pelvic floor for the last 10 weeks and just been given the all clear. I had a big baby delivered with forceps which caused all the problems, slight prolapse and rectocele. It's been worth it but since doing I have noticed the prolapse getting worse again cause no matter how much you do your exercises at home, it's not the same as going for physio.

One thing though, as a previous poster has said, if you are still breast feeding, it won't get back to normal. I have to go back once I stop beat feeding (ds is 9 months) to see how things have settled down.

Definately go to see a speacialist postnatal physio.

Gynaecoligist had a quick look two months post delivery. My physio took the time to assess me properly.

Uh, slight hijack but how bad is bad...? My ds is almost one and if I sneeze with a reasonably full bladder I do wee a bit. Been doing kegels but should I see a gp too or is this probably as good as it will get?

Just to say, I had a minor problem with this. DDs are 12 and 10, never did the exercises...
I have seen really marked improvement after recently taking up Pilates. Many Pilates exercises involve engaging the pelvic floor.

I had a similar issue. Saw an amazing specialist who found it wasn't my pelvic floor but the other muscles that weren't doing the right job. 6 appointments later life is revolutionised!

If you want her name, pm me.

I'm not breastfeeding so that's not part of the issue. After reading some of the links I'm beginning to wonder if there are other issues too...maybe a prolapse but I also have v bad piles...

Got GPs appointment in 2 weeks so I'll go armed asking for a referral!

I totally understand your feelings. I had a c-section and thought pelvic floor issues only affected those who had natural birth. I know have to push last thing at night and return to loo 3 or so times to really push before I feel bladder is emptied and I can sleep. So distressing. I've done the exercises but not making much difference. It's so distressing/embarrasing isn't it. I think I need a gp appointment too but so scared of being brushed off because I had section.