Can’t hold poop. Is my pelvic floor badly damaged?

[Jazz12]

i had an episiotomy with my first (aged 30). The stitch up afterwards was a mess (with me screaming in pain etc) Ever since, I’ve struggled to hold poop any longer than 10mins.
4 years later I had my twins. Vaginal delivery again, with 2nd degree tears, but the problem stayed same - didn’t get worse.

This didn’t bother me much because I usually finish poop first thing in the morning. If I go again, it’s usually around lunch time so I’m either at home or in the office. I can get to the toilet in time without rushing or anything.

I was wondering if I should get this sorted before shit hits the fan with age!? I’m 40 next week. Can this even be sorted!? How!? Surgery!? Can muscles be repaired?

I’d definitely go and speak to your GP about it

Have you tried to build your muscle back up by exercising it? A bit like kegels?!

Go to a women's health physio. Costs like £60 privately or you could try going via your GP for a NHS one.
I don't think they will do surgery but there might be other things that could help

I would definitely ask for help now. Mine has improved with pelvic floor exercises but my friend needed a pessary type option. I’m sure there are lots of other things they can do. These things can get worse with age and result in significant prolapses etc so definitely worth getting help now. From what you describe, it will something they see all the time so will have some definitive options to help you.

forgot to add, when I fart, the gas kind of comes out through my vagina! Something is definitely wrong there - isn’t it!?

😳

Sorry to hear this OP, no expert but that doesn’t sound right at all and you should seek help.

Disgraceful really. When my mum gave birth in the 60’s (!!!) she had really good aftercare with regards to physio, just as standard. We’ve reverted not improved women’s health.

Following

Just don't follow through please...

Go see a GP sooner than later.
There will be options.

Partly my fault. I was terrified, in pain and screaming and that probably stressed out the nurse doing the stitches big time.

Perinium held up surprisingly well with the twins. No tears. All the 2nd degree ones were inside. I hardly felt them once stitched up.

🤣🤣

I would definitely make an appointment OP. You need this sorted.

Well best to get checked out🤞

You're pelvic floor isn't what holds poo in, that's your anal sphincter (which shouldn't be affected by childbirth). If it's coming through your vagina, that suggest that you've got a fistula (hole between your vagina and intestines). You really, really want to get it checked.

My mum is now 73 but is having similar issues., 3rd degree bowel & womb prolapse e tc

If pelvic floor is weak or damaged, then either or both urine and fecal passages came be impacted as they can prolapse into the vagina (the amount of prolapse can vary greatly in severity). Often this means women with a weak pelvic floor prolapse feel they don’t get much warning that they need to poo. Nothing wrong with the anal sphincter but the prolapse interferes with mechanism that tells you that you need to poo. I would suspect a prolapse rather than a fistula if the only symptom post birth is reduced warning of need to defecate as usually other systems would also be present but it would definitely be wise to be sure a fistula can be ruled out & I certainly think it would be advisable to see medical opinion of GP asap.

There's a programme on Channel 4 called Know Your Shit , in one of the episodes there was a woman like this. It was her pelvic floor.
However if wind is coming out of your vagina , you need to see a Dr.

The anal sphincter is effected by childbirth if you have a tear or episiotomy. You have an inner ring and an outer ring, and if one or both are effected by the tear/cut it will effect the degree to which they can voluntary squeeze and and also their resting squeeze. Even though you say your perinium wasn’t damaged with the twins, simply carrying a pregnancy can weaken the muscles by the continued pressure to them. It is a muscle after all and pelvic floor exercises should definitely make a difference to its strength. A PT will ensure you’re doing all the right ones to target the problem.

See your GP. Sounds like you may have a fistula, but YANBU, you should be able to hold your sh*te in!