Not for the faint hearted...

[mamalou]

I gave birth 11 days ago after a stint in the pool and a failed epidural. I had a real struggle pushing my ds out and seem to have done myself some damage. I still feel like I have been hit between the legs with a sledge hammer (fairly normal I understand) but it is another problem that is worrying me. I have limited sensation in my bowel if I feel I need to poo I have to get to the toilet within seconds otherwise it could be too late. Has anyone else had this problem? I would really welcome any thoughts, comments etc. The hospital/midwife say that it should come back within 6 weeks but as Pampers dont make nappies in my size this would mean being housebound...

I seem to remember this too.... and it did go back to normal after a while. Did you tear quite badly?

My perenium tore rather dramatically (burst!) and took ages to heal and I think this may have been why...

CONGRATULATIONS by the way

Where's the birth announcement????

After both of my labours, but particularly after the first, I also felt a lack of 'connection'. It worried me enormously that, like you, I didn't seem to know that I needed to poo until the last moment.

The sensation did return! I don't remember how long it took but I think it started improving from 2-3w, was getting better but still worrying me by my 6w checkup, and almost normal within a couple of months. TBH I didn't feel that my bowel-movement-awareness was back to normal for several months, but it was perfectly live-withable and not a problem. It's fine now.

HTH - and congrats

HAd a very similar thing mamalou, and I know a couple of other mums who had the same thing. They blamed mine on the use of forceps, but the fact that I had 21 stitches may have something to do with it in my opinion. Control and sensation will come back over time. But I understand the feeling of lack of control and embarrassment that it can cause, especially when noone warned you that this could happen. The pain should subise ( mine took about 3 weeks before I could sit without wincing)- if it doesn't or gets worse go back to the doctors and get them to check any stitches etc for infection.

Look after yourself

ouch sorry to heat you're having problems ML

I'm due in 8 weeks and just sitting her thinking "what have I done"?

Could you speak to hospital physiotherapist about exercise to do, such as pelvic floors to help speed your recovery. Sorry you are having such a horrid experience. I felt sore and weak for 6 weeks (told it was like I had a black eye down there!) and then felt lots better. I always found the worst thing was standing up to do dishes, or wait in queues for shopping - worse than walking!

mamalou,
I had a very long labour and, although I had a normal birth and a very slight tear, I experienced exactly the symptoms you have described. In think I pulled just about every muscle in my body. Felt like I'd been in a car accident for quite a while.

Definitely agree with M2S that you should be regularly doing your pelvic floors.

It took at least 2 weeks before it started to get any better and then things weren't really back to normal for a good two weeks after that.

I coped with it by just trying to go to the toilet (IYSWIM) every couple of hours. That way I was sure that I wasn't going to have a nasty surprise when I was out.

Try not to get stressed (easier said than done I know) as this doesn't to your tummy or bowels any favours.

Hope you feel better soon.

Enjoy your little boy,

BR

I didn't have any bowel problems but I certainly lost the sensation and ability to hold my wee in -and I do remember the feeling of utter panic that I'd done permanent damage! It did improve very quickly though and now back to normal - just wanted to reassure you that they're not just fobbing you off when they say give it time - it really will help.

I tore quite badly too and was given a laxative to stop me straining and damaging the stitches. However I found it rather too effective - made everything completely liquid - and couldn't be more than a few feet from the loo for the first couple of days. So I stopped taking it and things improved rapidly although the pain did take several weeks to go away and the "area" took longer than that to feel normal.

Thank you all SO much for these messages. They have made me feel a lot better. I am due to go back to the hospital tomorrow for a check up so hopefully I will be given some exercises to do. It really helps to know that other women have experienced the same problems.