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Original poster

Consultant won't operate until I stop bf

29 replies

Whirliwig72 · 28/01/2013 19:22

Sorry didn't know whether to put this in health / wwyd or breast feeding / or prolapses so I've plumped for health as a safe bet!

Basically I've suffered with urinary incontinence and a mild bladder prolapse since my ds2 was born 16 months ago. NHS have not been that helpful ( only suggesting pfe'sqjoch I already do ) so today I got a Bupa referral to try and sort things out once and for all.

To cut a long story short consultant won't operate on me until I stop bf'ing as apparently the hormone levels are making things worse (more droopy).

I had planned to bf until Ds2 was at least 2 yrs as I believe the benefits if extended bf are significant but that's 8 months to go.

I'm fed up of wearing pads all the time and getting loads of bladder infections but little ds? What would you do?

OP posts:

InNeedOfBrandy · 28/01/2013 19:25

I'd stop bf, no matter the benefits of extended bf you don't need to be a martyr and it's making things worse. How is that a good thing?

Overcooked · 28/01/2013 19:27

I agree with Ineed, if he was 18 weeks then it might be different but at 18 months it's time to look after yourself- and you really shouldn't feel bad for doing so.

HobKnob · 28/01/2013 19:27

I'd also stop bfing. You have to think of yourself as well. You'll feel better and have more energy for your son once this is sorted.

Original poster

Whirliwig72 · 28/01/2013 19:29

Sorry the garbled bit of my my message meant to say pelvic floor exercises. In not a martyr honest it's just that ds enjoys the boob sooo much I'd feel bad for him stopping so soon

OP posts:

PoppyWearer · 28/01/2013 19:30

I've got a prolapsed uterus and first went to see the consultant (also private) a couple of months after DC2 was born.

Consultant referred me for physio but was clear that it would only be after finishing bf'ing that things would get back to the "new normal" and he would be able to see what was really going on and if anything needed surgical correction. Physio agreed.

Went to see GP in the meantime after a bit of discomfort, she said the same thing.

I stopped bf'ing a couple of months back and seriously, within a week things "down there" were totally different. I could feel the difference myself, and I even felt cramping as things moved. I have been back to the GP and she says the prolapse is now minor. Still there, but minor now.

Am going back to the consultant for my follow-up, but IME the breastfeeding does make a difference. The consultant told me that he has had to correct surgery done too soon after birth.

So, what would I do? What I did - try physio and liquid control in the meantime, bf as long as possible/desirable/viable, then see how things were.

Good luck!

wewereherefirst · 28/01/2013 19:31

How long will you have to stop BFing for? Could you look at relactating post op? You need to get yourself sorted before it gets too bad.

PoppyWearer · 28/01/2013 19:31

Forgot to say, I bf DC2 to 15mo, then had to stop for (other) medical reasons. Would have liked to go longer but, yes, you do have to think of yourself sometimes. My DC2 has been fine.

JaquelineHyde · 28/01/2013 19:32

But if you carry on and make yourself miserable because of it that will be picked up on by your DS.

PoppyWearer · 28/01/2013 19:33

I would think it would have to be a permanent end to bf, or the relaxin hormone will kick in again and cause the muscles to loosen again.

cleanandclothed · 28/01/2013 19:34

Which hormones? Could you get the hormone levels tested to see how elevated they are?

MrsDmitriTippensKrushnic · 28/01/2013 19:35

Second opinion maybe? I had a double prolapse repaired when DD was 18mths and continued to BF for another 6/7 months. No-one suggested I stopped, and they knew I was BF as they arranged for me to pump and dump in the maternity ward after the operation.

SirBoobAlot · 28/01/2013 19:36

I'd get a second opinion before you make any decisions. Having looked after a woman with prolapse before as a peer supporter, she was told that it doesn't make things worse, that higher estrogen levels can possibly help things slightly, to the same level that certain core strengthening exercises can do. Possibly being the key word here. She got a second opinion, and the operation was booked relatively quickly.

Bottleoffish · 28/01/2013 20:24

Only you can decide what should do, but I agree you should get a second opinion.

I 'need' surgery that I cannot have until I have stopped BF as I simply can't get a surgeon to operate on my whilst BF as it is breast surgery. In the meantime I looks. Bit odd (wonky boobs) and am in discomfort most of the time, pain about 25% of the time, but its still easier for me to continue BF than to stop and I believe important to my DD too. She is also 18 months old.

thisisyesterday · 28/01/2013 20:30

i would also get a second opinion

if that comes back with the same result then you just need to weigh up how important each thing is to you.
If you want to continue to breastfeed then you should, you know what that will involve and only you can make the decision as to whether you want to continue how you are right now.

if you want to stop that is fine! your baby is old enough for you to be able to wind down slowly and for him to accept other forms of comfort and nutrition without too much hassle. you don't have to go cold-turkey, you can do it gently.

DoItToJulia · 28/01/2013 20:33

I would stop bf a d get the operation. Living with urinary incontinence and recurrent infections does not sound like fun.

You have given your baby an amazing start by bf'ing this long. I know you wanted to carry on, but I don't think I could wait to be fixed.

I hope you work it out.

Lostonthemoors · 28/01/2013 20:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Whirliwig72 · 28/01/2013 23:00

Thank you all so much for your responses. I would have replied earlier but I laid down to bf ds2 and nodded off (hee hee)!! We also co-sleep

On evaluation ds2 and I are getting too many benefits from bf info to stop just yet. He loves it, I love the closeness it brings but I will definitely get a second opinion.

Btw was quite shocked that the consultant trotted out the usual misconception that bf only has any real benefit for the first few months of life - the fool !

OP posts:

mercibucket · 28/01/2013 23:21

I'd ask on the bf boards. I wonder if there is a change in hormone levels with longer term bf that the consultant might not be aware of. They can't really see many women who bf past a year, and I wouldn't be surprised to find hormone levels change after a year or so, as you bf so less frequently

mercibucket · 28/01/2013 23:21

SirBoobAlot · 29/01/2013 00:07

Whirliwigi if you got that good old myth, then I would certainly be looking for a second opinion. And maybe even a third. And sending in some information to educate

Butterycrumble · 29/01/2013 00:14

Relaxin levels .... are they the prob? AFAIK It's not produced during lactation but levels can take a year to get back to normal pp.

For pgp and other Relaxin related probs there has been no evidence that it makes anything worse.

Your description of your feeds made me smile, those cosleeping naps are great.

sashh · 29/01/2013 08:15

I'd stop bf. After a second opinion

I know it is the best, but having recurrent infections is going to have an impact on your body and possibly the quality of your breast milk.

Your ds deserves the best and that includes a mum who is well.

BertieBotts · 29/01/2013 08:18

If you want to carry on then ask on the BF boards, you're more likely to find BF experts on there or people who've perhaps been through this?

Finallygotaroundtoit · 29/01/2013 08:22

Whirli, why not ask for the actual medical evidence that bf is making things worse? My guess is it's his misconception and there is none.

Whoever had to 'pump and dump' - what a shame, mothers can bf a brand new baby after a c/s even if they had a pre med /general/ pethidine/ antibiotics etc

Bottleoffish · 29/01/2013 08:28

I agree about asking on the BF boards, you could also try speaking to an IBCLC?

I think that the general idea is that oestrogen levels being lowered by breast feeding can make a prolapse worse and obviously you can't take oestrogen while BF, at least, I'm pretty sure you can't due to the effect on supply.

I certainly wouldn't worry about recurrent infections affecting the quality of your breast milk.

This is something only you can decide though if it ultimately is a decision between BF or surgery. The symptoms you describe may well not be worth it to someone else, but it seems like they are to you and your DS. That can be difficult for some people to understand.

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