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.

Hi jemimaprincess it is great to have somewhere where you can ask these questions and just chat about things in a non-professional way, but some of the regulars on here are very experienced and do have a lot of knowledge which is very reassuring.

To answer your question about elcs, yes they are normally done around 39 weeks depending on your hospital policy. My hospital do elcs on tues & fri and they book you in to one of those days.

Hi again and thank you for all the comments and support and recommendations, i will look into them. I'm sorry to hear that other people have also gone through difficult times in this way but it's reassuring for me to know there are other people who know what it's like and that there's hope. I find it's easy to become overwhelmed and to feel alone with something like this, so am really grateful to hear from others with experience.

Hi newbies - welcome :)
Sorry you had to find us though :(

Even if no-one has posted on this thread for a while, we still monitor it - I would love for no-one to need it and see it die from lack of necessity, but unfortunately I don't think that will ever happen.

Thanks for the welcome and the info :)

Does anyone else still get pain when peeing at all?! I get tenderness from the other end but that's due to the tear so I can blame that on something! But every now and then (maybe once every few weeks) I get this pain around 'that area' when I pee and I know it's not a bladder infection as that's been ruled out plus used to suffer from them when younger so I know the symptoms! Physio consultant just says its because that area is 'sensitive' but I'm not convinced. I don't mind if its because my body has just changed now that I've gone through childbirth but no one seems to give a straight answer! TIA x

Can I join this thread too? I've been lurking for ages and hoping my 'issues' will clear up but no joy as yet...

After a back to back induction, failed epidural, episiotomy and ventouse, I've got some tissue hanging around (apparently my hymen which I can't believe is still knocking about) and I'm booked in to have that removed in three weeks. I'm still too scared to have sex so hoping after the procedure that will improve.

However the main thing which bothers me daily is an anal fissure which just won't heal. I've lost loads of weight from cutting out certain foods, and frankly being too scared to poo, had some cream from the GP, stopped breastfeeding my 6 month old DD and its still pretty bad. I'm going back to the GP tomorrow but would love any pointers or links on healing an AF.

Quitting breastfeeding has made my hormones wobble a bit too so feeling on the edge!

I'm so pleased this thread exists .., these really aren't coffee morning topics and everyone on here seems so supportive.

:o If we all could meet up for coffee, it would have to be in a soundproof room :o

Best advice for an anal fissure - this cleared mine up pretty quickly - is to take Magnesium Glycinate, 1000 mg capsules, one or two at night before bed to soften stool (no cramps or diarrhoea, I promise), and put Traumeel cream directly on the fissure. It will feel quite warm at first - ok, it will burn, but it doesn't last long. I think mine healed in about 2 weeks after I started this. I put the Traumeel on several times a day. It isn't actually meant to go on an open wound, it's for bruises and sprains and strains, but I had this from my naturopathic physician who had a fissure herself and tried it out of desperation. Both Magnesium and Traumeel can be bought on Amazon.

Your poor bum. :( I really really feel your pain. Sometimes pooing was so bad, I felt like I'd passed a steak knife.

Oh, one more thing, it can help to lean way forward when sitting on the toilet and pooing. I used to lean forward and put my hands on the floor while pooing, it seemed to make it hurt less. Possibly it took pressure off the fissured area? Could be worth a try.

Hello. Hoping to join this group for some support but TBH am still too upset to put things down in black and white. However, I am seeing physio and trying to be proactive about treatment. With that in mind, I have started another thread about pelvic floor stimulators (before I found this one) so I hope you don't mind me copying and pasting my problem here too.

I have a mild prolapse following DDs birth but also vaginal wall laxity. My physio has said I could try a stimulator (already using biofeedback) but they no longer loan out the stimulator unit. They have recommended a NeuroTrac but they cost around £65 and from what I understand, you only use them for a few weeks? It's not money I have but obviously if they work then I will find the cash. Have tried sourcing a 2nd hand unit (I have a shiny new probe!) but am having no luck. Thanks in advance.

Thanks Jacksmania, manically typing into amazon right now...

Abigboydidit...I'm sorry to hear you're going through a hard time of it. I'm sure a mumsnetter with some wisdom will be a long v soon.

Thank you. In fact I just gave in and bought one. A so desperate I will try anything

abigboydidit good luck with the stimulator, I hope it gives you some good results. I don't have any experience of these so have no idea how it will go.

Thanks for the welcome and sorry for being so petulant

Hope it goes well and keep us posted on how it's working out.

Welcome abitboydidit.

Just to let everyone know - please treat this as your safe space where you can be yourself and let all the ugly stuff out. The stuff that's not appropriate for coffee mornings :o
We've all been through the mill, and while we may not all have the same problems, we understand how horrible some days can be when your nethers hurt and you can't tell anyone in RL.

I'm in a bitch of a mood today - feeling angry and cranky and overwhelmed. Oh, and I've hurt my back - which is a bad joke, given my profession (I'm a chiropractor) - it's better than it was this past weekend (OW!!! ) but still not great and I have to work today.
Hmmm, this could explain why I'm cranky :o

, anyone? The Bar of Requirement (coffee, booze, whatever) is open.

Thanks. Am having a glass of wine too. In a total grump as my sister keeps harping on that I should get a trampoline - despite knowing there's no way I can go on one. She called me from Asda to say they hd one on special offer so I had to explain again She breezily shrugged me off saying that maybe I couldn't use it this summer but surely next summer...

Yes, the willful misunderstanding of our various conditions is something I've had to grit my teeth over until I could scream. I don't know how many times I've had to explain to people why there would be no seconds child. To be confronted with "surely it can't be that bad" or "you could adopt".
Yes, and you could fuck off

Oh yes i get that with riding a bike. I have never enjoyed cycling and now the thought of sitting on a bike seat for more than about 3 seconds sends shivers through my scars. Friends keep saying oh it'll be so nice to go out for a bike ride together & dont understand that i just cant.

I'm so achy around all my scars at the moment & i saw physio today as well to get a brace for my back and she has gently moved my pelvis back inline and strapped my back and i'm in agony. Hot water bottle is easing it tho. Hypermobility & pregnancy do not mix well.

Those of you who can please have a large wine for me.

Hey, it's virtual wine, you can have your own :o

But, ok, thank you - I will! Later. It's only about 2 pm here, and I'm working until 7:30 pm. Bleurgh.

Well in that case, Cheers!

Hope your back improves soon & work isnt too painful.

Helloo!

I have been on here before, but not for yonks.

Rectocele diagnosed while pregnant with DS2 (who is now 16m!), referred to gyn umm, November/December-ish last year? Missed one appt so had to wait another three months for another as my punishment! And now my gyn appt is in the morning! Yay!

So what should I expect....?

Btw, I have random bleeding as I've recently had a coil fitted, but this won't bother someone who specialises in dodgy fanjos, will it...?

Beyond :o
Welcome back!

I can't imagine a bit of blood would bother a gynae.
As for the appointment - not sure what they'll do - probably a vag exam and maybe rectal exam to check on the status of things? Sorry, grasping at straws, but here to hold your hand if necessary.

Could do with a hand hold, am normally very confident with HCPs with everything, but this just makes me feel queasy. And its not just the normal wariness of someone peering up my fanjo, as I was fine with all the usual pregnancy/smear/coil/infections stuff ive had before.

Have been wondering whether to mention possible hypermobility to the gyn as I havent seen my GP/rheum since it occurred to me? But it could be relevant if it is linked, but still have that fear of sounding like a hypochondriac. Also have to avoid mentioning any of this to my sister as it is the due date of her first DS tomorrow, and she also had a inguinal hernia when she was little (which is linked to increased risk of prolapse as an adult), and my rectocele was caused by my first labour

All in all, just having a general worry! :)

Can tell I'm nervous, post looks like gobbleydegook!

It's all ok, it made sense to me.

I think you should mention the hypermobility to them. Any little bit of info helps. Cardamomginger has hypermobility as well, she'd be a good person to ask. You could PM her if she doesn't come back to the thread for a few days.
I'll check in tomorrow to see how it went. Remember you've got lots of hands to hold. :)

Good luck beyond heres another hand to hold. I would mention about hypermobility, i'm hypermobile and there does appear to be a link between it and tearing during childbirth. Recovery takes longer, anesthetics are less effective so you are not being hypocondriac (sorry cant spell).

Theres a good website with lots of info on it but i cant link at moment as on my phone but should be easy to find on google. It does run in families so maybe let your sister know as well, just in case her labour starts heading down the intervention route.

Good luck.