Calling all Raggedies - the THIRD Ragged Bits thread. Childbirth injuries, sphincter problems, fistulae... all welcome.

[Jacksmania]

First thread here, May 2008 to June 2009.

Second thread here, June 2009 to Oct 2012.

Welcome everyone with ragged bits due to childbirth. We're sorry you had to find us, but we promise to hold your hand and listen.

There is no TMI here and nothing is too gross, too embarrassing or too horrible.

All welcome.

How are you today?

Hi girls,
Still feeling sore today. Its not the perineum that stings during weeing, but the urethra. Its from when they pulled out the pack. I do use water in the toilet still. I'm very paranoid about it being clean and not getting infected again. I'm on diclofenac and metronidazole, so I hope they keep pain and infection at bay.

Thank you for hand holding, girls. It helps! How are you all?

Doing ok. We're all still not quite ourselves from this stupid norovirus.
You could add some paracetamol to the diclofenac, they're different drugs but they potentate each other so they work better for pain relief.

They did give me paracetamol. I take it before bed but not with the other meds. Too much of a chicken for that.
Oh no, not the norovirus! Hope you recover from that soon. Can't be pretty. Sending hugs. X

No, you can definitely take diclofenac and paracetamol together. I promise you it's safe. Much more effective pain relief.

yup you can take both x

How are we, girls? Just thought I'd update you:

The last three or so hours have been horrible. I went to toilet and managed to do a number two. That's the good thing, even though I had constipation. Came out toilet and had really bad pain, so went back in bathroom. Now I have an upset stomach and gas. Tmi, but it won't all come out in one go and is causing me gas pain. I took gaviscon hoping that'll help. I don't feel well though.
I guess I don't need lactulose then! And I think it's the diclofenac that is causing the upset stomach (it happened last time) so I think I'm just going to stick with paracetamol and metronidazole.

Note: we haven't dtd since August. I only take the pill (back to back) because I want to prevent my bleed as don't want blood all over my stitches.

Anti-inflammatories like diclofenac often upset people's stomachs, could you try taking it with some solid food?
I hope it gets better soon :(

Hi Shine,

That is good you have managed to go to the loo, but not good about the pain. I hope you can have a quiet day of resting. Sometimes a hot water bottle on the tummy or lower back can help with pains but agree its probably the meds that are causing the problem.

Hello. I was on here many moons ago after the birth of my first baby. I had a prolapse but GYN just told me to deal with it basically. I did have neurotransmitter treatment way back but i was essentially told I'm too young for anything.

Fast forward to today. I'm 16 weeks post birth of my DS. My prolapse is worse, I can feel that it is. I've been referred for physio and have a neurotrac machine for use at home for 6 weeks. No one has looked at my bits but it feels horrific. GP referred me to GYN again and I have appt this afternoon. I feel like its going to be a waste of time as I'm 29 and feel they will not offer surgery. I'm hoping someone can tell me what I need to say to the consultant! And sorry for short notice!

Hi izzy,
The thing that stuck out the most in my mind when I saw the consultant was that he said that (at least here, in Canada) they treat a prolapse based less on the absolute degree of prolapse and more on how it's affecting you.

So tell your consultant exactly how it's affecting you. His much pain, inconvenience, etc. Play it up a bit. Can't believe I'm suggesting that but it seems like being restrained and "sucking it up" won't get you anywhere.
In my case I told him I couldn't run across the street or catch DS if he jumped into my arms without feeling everything want to fall out - and that i had to use two tampons during my period because one woukd just sort of drift behind my cervix since it was down so low, and then I'd bleed all over my clothes - absolutely true, but very much not something I would usually spell out.
Good luck, and do please update!

Hi jacks thanks for the reply.

Appointment was before your reply but went strangely well. He introduced himself and said so having your babies has wrecked your pelvic floor. He then asked if my family was complete but said your only 29 so still very young for surgery. He said he could see I was having treatment and asked if he could take a look. I said no one else has so far, he then looked and said it was very impressive for someone my age and in fact got the assistant to take a look too! His words the minute I was dressed were "you need surgery" and that was pretty much that. He said that that it's my bladder that is protruding and that no amount of pelvic floor exercises are going to shift it and that surgery is my only option it's just a case of when I want it. He said a ring pessary is no use as because I will need surgery it will only damage my vaginal walls and mean his job is harder as the tissue is damaged. He then went on to say I would need to not lift anything for 3 months post surgery and said that that included my children. He said I have to discuss with DH and whoever will help me with them and make it clear how much they will need to do for me and decide whether to get it now or when baby is walking.

I did not expect that! I mean I can tell its bad from my symptoms and the feeling but didn't realise it was 'you need surgery' bad if that makes sense? My physio had pretty much said he wouldn't operate as I'm 'so young' and that was that. The surgeon has said I need a pelvic floor repair as opposed to mesh. I a, now away to google! All advice etc is much apprEeciated!

Hi Izzy - I'm 8 hours behind you so right after I posted, I realized you probably wouldn't get my reply. I'm so glad the appointment went well. I'm impressed with your surgeon. Often they wishy-wash around and hum and haw, at least this one is very decisive while taking into account your age and the fact that the aftermath of surgery is a very big deal.

Which way are you leaning? Surgery sooner or later?

shine, how's it going, chick?

It's hard to know which is best. I'm on maternity leave now and breastfeeding. I can't help thinking I don't want my maternity leave and time with my son ruined by being unable to cuddle and lift him etc. I'd also need to stop breastfeeding I'd think. Then on the otherhand the longer I wait the heavier he's going to be and can I avoid actually lifting him for 3 months?! It's so difficult to know. I also think its not great for work if I return from mat leave and then go off sick straight away. It's a manual job I do so would be off the 3 months too. I really don't know!

Oh and he said he's put me on waiting list. I asked as I was leaving how long it is and he said 6-8 weeks but that I could defer it. He said its so quick as government iniative to get lists down.

I don't know if you'd have to give up breastfeeding - I can't imagine why. I had my first repair op while still breastfeeding. I asked several doctors and all of MN :o and everyone said it was fine.

My own personal feeling is, do it sooner rather than later. If you wait, the anticipation builds, you worry more, and your baby will be bigger, so harder to lift. If you have it done while he's still tiny, you can recover while cuddling on the couch with him.
Just my two pence worth. :)

My mum implied I wouldn't be able to hold him for feeding etc cos he'd be too heavy!

Eh? I don't think so. I'm assuming you'll be sitting while feeding him? So your pelvic floor will be nicely supported by whatever you're sitting on.
The problem with lifting anything while standing, when you're recovering from surgery, is that lifting increases intra-abdominal pressure. Which stresses your pelvic floor. When you're sitting on it, and lift something, it's supported from below. So, provided you're not doing biceps curls with your baby on one arm, I think you'd be ok.
But the final authority is your surgeon. I can't imagine that sitting with baby on your lap, or baby on a pillow to raise him to breast height, would not be ok.

I'm tandem feeding my DDs (almost 2yo and 4yo) and it wasn't so bad. I had to warn them to be careful when they were climbing me but it didn't hurt to hold them or even have them sitting on my lap, although my surgery was probably not as serious as yours. Really, you do not have to stop BF if you don't want to :)

Hey darlings,

How are we all?

I stopped taking the diclofenac. Don't think I could face another episode of upset stomach and gas pain. This resulted in swelling so I was on the phone my gp who wouldn't give me an appointment, so we ended up in a&e. After about four hours of waiting they checked me...no infection (thank you, Lord!). But they gave me codeine. Also, today in starting in arnica tablets which I hope will help. So, all in all, I'm on metronidazole, codeine, paracetamol, arnica and the pill (back to back to prevent my bleed...don't want blood over my stitches!).

Happy healing, ladies. Hope it's going well for you.

Hi all, may I join? I have dd who's 2.8. I had a 3a tear, MROP, PPH, rectocele. The rectocele was sorted out when I also required a full restitch of the area. I had fissures on the scar and still require laxido to soften my poo. Touch wood I've had no "accidents" but my issue is this and it links to my name. I haven't had sex since. The thought makes me shudder and when I've tried I just tense and tense and tense. My bf is just wonderful, no pressure whatsoever and we've done ahem everuthing else hundreds of times I just can't contemplate him being inside. But I now want another baby. Major barrier right now! I'm considering CBT. Anyone else tried? I've had psychosexual counselling and dilators but nothing to write home about

Oh shine, you poor thing :( I hope that things improve for you soon. Can you take ibuprofen, doesn't that help with swelling?

Insecure CBT might be worth a go. I'm seeing a counsellor who specialises in psychosexual disorders and she is fab. How did you get on with your counsellor? Maybe a different one would be more helpful. Glad that your DP is being so supportive and I hope things get better for you.

I'm pretty much back to normal. I'm on my period at the moment and not allowed to use tampons or a mooncup so that's v annoying. I've got my 6 week check in a couple of weeks so hopefully I will get the all clear (DH is counting down the days ). I've started running again and it's comfortable, I'm going to sign up for a 10k if my 6 week appt goes OK.

Hey rouge, I was thinking of ibuprofen but want sue if I could take that with metronidazole and arnica

Shine that's a lot of pills - you will be rattling Not sure about ibuprofen and metronidazole (don't know what that is sorry) but it would be fine with the arnica.

Insecure24 Welcome along. I posted on your thread about CBT but as you have added a bit more here I would suggest maybe trying hypnosis. I had this for treating depression and nail biting and it was £60 a session. I'll post this on your other thread too in case it helps others.

EauRouge that sounds great you are nearly back to normal.

Just as an update on my situation, I'm still waiting! Argh. Three weeks now waiting to just get my appointment to see this second consultant. I've been back to my GP who says they cant do any more, and am calling every other day to see when I'll get in and so far nothing.

Eaurouge, it's wonderful you're nearly back to normal...that's great news! Hope you're 100% recovered soon.

Craving, three weeks is a long time to wait :( hope they hurry up and you're feeling better soon.

And how's our lovely jacks getting on?