Has anyone needed surgical repair for childbirth injuries? A bit down today...

[Annner]

I've just a rather gloomy trip to the GP. What I thought was a mild prolapse that would be sorted by a referral to a nice obstetric gynae and lots of exercise turned out to be something nastier.

It would appear that DS (13 months today) caused quite a lot of damage on the way out. There is a strange polyp-y thing dangling down from my cervix. Explains why there wasn't room for my mooncup

My GP reckons that it will definitely need surgical repair. Has anyone had this? What happens? How long would I be out of action for?

I'm gutted. I fought for a VBAC to have DS to avoid surgery. Ha bloody ha.

Sorry to hear. I haven't had it but imagine it would be a fairly straightforward op? Hope someone will be a long soon with a bit more experience....

Deffo a GA, according to the GP, but I have no idea as to the rest.

I was so certain that I'd be sent on my way it knocked me out for the rest of the day.

You can get a poly in your cervix anytime, unrelated to childbirth. Wait and see what gynae says. They are usually just twisted off there and then. GPs don't know very much about specialst things hence the referral to the gynae.

I had a partial septum thing removed that was dangling down and making me leak every month when I used a tampon.

The surgery was over really really quickly. I had a general anaesthetic, altho that wasn't strictly necessary.

The recovery time was minimal, with no pain at all. I was on painkillers, but it was the general anaethetic that tired me out. I hope this gives you some kind of positive hope about your forthcoming op! Good luck!!

One of my friends and my sister had polyps removed by the gynae at the clinic. Mildly uncomfortable only and over in a flash. Depends how big it is.

My MIL had one removed early this year but needed a GA. No problems afterwards.Does not involve surgery as such. GA is just to make sure they can get access to it properly.

Oh poor you Anner. But remember, you avoided the C/S which would have meant major abdominal surgery at a time when you would also have been caring for a newborn and dealing with postnatal hormones - this should be different hopefully.

How annoying for you!

I had a small piece of 'polyp-like tissue' at my vaginal entrance (at the 'seam' of my episiotomy repair) which the GP basically just pulled off with some tong things. No painkillers, was totally painless. Before she did it, she (on noticing my aghast countenance!) mentioned that she had treated women with similar polyps on their cervixes (cervices?). She made it sound quite minor. I wonder if your thing is similar? Finders crossed for you.

Mears, she described it as a "polyp-y thing". She thought that it was scar tissue and that my cervix had torn in labour, as the edges were v ragged and that it was hanging down - when I bear down it is within 1cm of the exit.

What exactly is a polyp?

The other ishhooo is that apparently my rectum is at risk of collapsing into my fanjpo. Naiiiiice. I was more worried about stress incontinence, but apparently that wasn't too bad.

Was too slow - Mears, that sounds like the thing my GP was referring to.

Ooh, thanks Spawnchorus; that sounds a lot better. Doesn't help with the back wall stuff, though...

I just feel rather decrepit and sad.

Annner - a polyp is an innocent growth - often grape like shaped (can be bigger). It often is on a stalk and can be twisted off easily.

I doubt very much that your cervix will have torn in labour as that causes massive haemorrhage.

What you describe sounds like a prolapse of which there are varying degrees. Your gynaecologist will be able to explain directly. Depending on the degree depends the treatment. Sometimes it is intensive physiotherapy to ensure you are doind pelvic floor exercised efficiently. Try not to worry too much just now - you may not need surgery.