Faecal Incontinence

[Beck03]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could help me? I had my DD 6months ago and sustained a third degree tear. I have been left with an anal sphincter defect (confirmed on Ultrasound) and now suffer from faecal urgency. I have had two episodes of incontinence and now have less than 10 mins to get to the toilet on a good day (I dread to think what will happen when I get diarrhoea). In addition to this, sex is very uncomfortable and, although my DH has been incredibly supportive, I am finding everything pretty difficult to deal with.

Anyway, my question is aimed at future pregnancies. My colorectal consultant said that another pregnancy could make my incontinence worse in the long term due to stretching of the pudendal nerve, even if I were to have a C-section. My reading around the subject seems to confirm this. My DH thinks it's too much of a risk to take but I really would love another baby at some point in the future. Is there anyone out there in a similar boat who has gone on to have more children? Has your incontinece got worse? It would be great to hear from someone who is also experiencing these difficulties.

Beck I am really sorry you are going through this. It sounds really tough. While I don't have anything helpful to add and no experience there is a long running thread where posters are supporting each other with all sorts of problems relating to childbirth. It's here

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/2029646-Pt-8-Oct13-Any-old-prolapse-Uterus-womb-prolapse-rectocele-cystocele-enterocele-urethrocele-incontinence-pelvic-floor-anterior-and-posterior-repair-TVT-etc-994-Posts?pg=11

There may be someone who has experience able to help.

Thank you, it's very kind of you to take the time to reply. I'll check the link out.

I had to have a third of my colon removed after which I became incontinent and it was an absolute nightmare. You have all my sympathy. In the end it turned out I had a parasite called blastocystisis which many people have but it usually affects people badly if they have a compromised digestive system.
However, until it was treated with strong antibiotics, I hardly dared leave the house as I had about 20 seconds to get to the loo.

Now I still have to take codeine to slow up my system because of my short colon - might that work for you if you are going to the theatre or somewhere when you can't easily make a dash for the loo?
I also made sure I had spare incontinence pants and tissues and a plastic carrier bag wherever I went.
If you go into a chemist or supermarket there are shelves of incontinence pads and pants so you are not alone - not that that makes it any less of a nightmare.

Might also be worth your while going to a physio regarding your pelvic floor. A programme of specialist exercises might help all round. The physio can assess you and then check for improvements.

Thank you for your replies. Thankfully things are manageable at the moment in that my stools are fairly formed and I'm still on maternity leave so I'm in the house a fair bit. It's pretty devestating that I can expect things to get worse with age though.

I've seen a women's health Physio and she was excellent but thank you for your suggestion.