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Continued support for SPHINCTER INJURIES, FISTULAE and other CHILDBIRTH INJURIES - the Ragged Bits Thread

952 replies

Jacksmama · 22/06/2009 20:12

Hi all,
old thread here.

Cyee started this thread in May 2008 after her op, and it's been a haven of support for so many of us who have injuries to our bits from childbirth. Especially with respect to sphincter injuries, fistulae and incontinence after childbirth, there seems to be such a lack of support for women, and the entire subject seems to be taboo. It's as if most MD's think that "a certain amount of damage is to be expected after birth and you just have to live with it". Well, that is simply not the case - and this attitude is unacceptable.

There are all kinds of Ragged Bits stories on this thread. Be aware that THERE IS NO "TMI" HERE - this is the one place where you can spill it all. If you read through the old thread, which is nearly full, you'll see that someone, somewhere, has probably experienced it - whatever it is! So don't be embarrassed or ashamed... we'll tell our poo stories if you'll tell yours.

And also - there are success stories here. Several of us who have been through the medical mill have been successfully "repaired" and are "fully functional", so to speak or even expecting again. In those cases, please join us for Pervwatch - the "after action" report for anyone who is once again venturing into marital relations!

Welcome everyone. We're sorry you had to find us, but we're glad you're here.

OP posts:
BoffinMum · 12/10/2010 21:37

Hello people
I am going into hospital on Saturday for a repair and I am very scared and having nightmares.
Sad
Help
Sad

RandomMusings · 12/10/2010 22:51

BM I can't offer any experience but am holding your hand for a bit x x x

Hulla · 13/10/2010 16:14

BoffinMum what procedure are you having?

Hulla · 13/10/2010 17:03

whenskiesaregrey Firstly, I am so sorry for the delay in posting. Please don't think I wasn't bothered, I was ill yesterday and this is the first chance I've had to reply.

I am familiar with the bury-head-in-the-sand approach to health problems. I even find that it sometimes works but for something as important as this, you've done the right thing in speaking about it.

Firstly, don't blame yourself for any of this. I think it is more likely that any pelvic floor problems are a result of your birth and not going on a bucking bronco and even if they are, so what? Guilt changes nothing.

It isn't petty not to want to go to the GP about this. I cancelled an entire block of women's physio sessions because she told me she wanted to insert a finger into my vagina and check that I was doing pelvic floor exercises properly. It was too soon after DD's birth and I felt sick at the thought of being touched.

It sounds like you're quite an active person and you're finding the leakage embarrassing and limiting. You know that means you have to seek help don't you?

If you don't feel like you can talk to anyone in RL about it then don't stress about that. You can always talk here.

I decided I would hint at my problems to a couple of friends to test the water for their reaction. Both told me that they had faecal urge incontinence (On aged 40, had 4th degree tear mid-30s and one aged 28 who'd had a CS). The friend who had the tear said it was a relief to find someone who understood.

I think PFEs can help with all of the things you mention. Yoga and pilates are supposed be good for pelvic floor strength.

You should get confirmation rather than rely on self-diagnosis. I am at risk of prolapse because apparently I have a weakness in my vaginal wall. I had no idea about this but once my surgeon pointed out some of the signs I may have noticed I realised they'd been there for a while. I also thought I had some strange tissue on my vaginal wall but nope, apparently it's normal I'd just never seen it before giving birth. My obstetrician did tell me that your vagina never looks the same once you've given birth.

Do you have any problems with your bowel? It might be that you really did have a second degree tear and you've just got a weaken pelvic floor from carry a baby for 9 months and giving birth.

Do you think you could request to see a female GP? What is stopping you from going? Would it help if I told you what examinations or tests I'd had which helped diagnose my problems?

How often have you checked your cervix? It does change position through-out your cycle so it may not be as bad as you think.

If you are thinking of TTC then you want to start with as healthy a body as possible. And you don't want to go into your next pregnancy worrying about the birth or your body post-birth.

Come back and chat and I'll help you decide what your next step is going to be Smile

BoffinMum · 13/10/2010 18:19

Rectocele repair plus perrhine-something or other plus hysteroscopy plus biopsy plus mirena coil all at once.

Do I need to hire an NCT valley cushion is my big question? Will my bits be all swollen and sore for a fortnight afterwards?

I speak as one who found the childbirth thing itself comparatively straightforward - only the aftermath of my fourth is proving a problem.

whenskiesaregrey · 13/10/2010 19:28

Thank you Hulla. I really don't know what the next step will be. I really do not want to go to the Drs. I think I am also put off my the fact that when I do a bit of internet research it all says that for mild prolapse and stress incontinence no action would be taken if the patient can cope with the problems. The thing is, I can 'cope' with them, they are hugely embaressing for me, and holding me back, but I wouldn't say I can't cope.

What stages did you go through to get your diagnosis?

See, another reason I don't want to go to the Drs, is that it will then be on my records, and therefore, all possible antenatal appts I will have to talk about it. Any future problems in that area I might have, I will have to talk about it. There will always be the chance the Dr will say 'do you mind if I just have a look and see if everything is alright' and I just do not want that. I just want for there to not even be a suggestion of a problem. And, I know this is stupid, and it isn't going to fix anything, but I can't help but think if I am going to go to the Drs, for them just to tell me they're not going to do anything right now, then why go and go through it (eurgh, I know I sound so melodramtic now, especially when people are actually having operations, and all I am talking about is a Drs appt). Also, I don't think I can stomach the idea of regular checks. One off, I can play it down in my mind that 'just go, and then it will be done with', but its the hint of going this time, and then going again a few weeks laters, and then again etc.

It gets me down, because it does hold me back. My friends asked me to do a triathlon with her and I said no because of it. When I go out on a night out and dance, I leak. I think 'why am I even having to think about this at 24'. I think about having these problems for the next 50-60 years, and it getting progressively worse with age. I know if effects people of all ages, but you just dont hear about it. What I don't understand is that I can still stop wee mid-flow, and it doesn't happen when I sneeze or cough. I don't have any major bowel issues, although I commonly have to press my perineum to, erm, help things along? Its as though things are a bit off centre, so applying this pressure almost straightens things out?

I really can't think of anyone in RL I can speak to. If you can imagine my friends... A conversation we had when I was pregnant was 'OMG I heard you poo when you have a baby?! If thats true, I'm never getting pregnant!'. And they were absolutely mortified when This Morning did a piece on a woman who had prolapse- one of the 'just had to turn it over, it made me feel sick'. :( :( :( They haven't got a clue :(

Hulla · 14/10/2010 18:33

Oh BM that sounds shit. I would definately get the cushion.

How old are your DC? Have you made plans for them to be looked after while you recover? My surgeon told me I wouldn't even need pain relief after my bum-op so I was amazed at how crap I felt. I ended up staying with family because DH couldn't get time off at short notice.

Stay on top of your pain meds, take them when they're due and not when the pain kicks in.

I also used these - wrap them in a flannel or something though, they're a bit intense otherwise.

The only other thing I do when I go into hospital is buy a book I have wanted to read for ages, some films on my ipod and good snacks. It softens the blow a little bit (and means I don't have to do the small talk with the woman in the next bed about why I need my op).

Good luck, I'll keep checking for your posts.

Hulla · 14/10/2010 18:35

Will post to you greyskies a bit later, DD going mental with tiredness and general-toddler-upset

Doom did you get my email today? Our internet connection keeps dropping. Will try again later anyway x

BoffinMum · 14/10/2010 21:55

Cheers Hulla, that's actually good advice. I think I'll make myself up a nice little going into to hospital bag, like you do for birth, with treats and so on. That should help with things. I even have a set of Feme pads I have never used as things weren't too bad after each of the births, so I will put those in too.

What else do people think I might need in it? Birth stuff without the breastfeeding gear? Do you need maternity pads?

BoffinMum · 14/10/2010 21:57

Greyskies, I was in denial too but I have to say once I had seen the gynae I was so pleased I had gone. As he said, there is so much they can do and no woman should have to put up with things she doesn't want to.

whenskiesaregrey · 14/10/2010 22:26

BoffinMum what stages have you had to go through to get to where you are at now though? What finally made you decide to go to the Drs?

BoffinMum · 14/10/2010 22:53

It went like this. Smear test picked up thrush. Nurse rang me and told me I needed a prescription, so I used one lot and it didn't work. So I bought some more, then that didn't work too. So I went to the doctor and he had a look. He found a pre-cancerous skin condition called lichen sclerosis contributing to the thrush, which needed different cream. I was feeling brave this time and asked him to have a look at my prolapse while he was down there. He said there was definitely a prolapse and to go to see their lady doctor. Now I don't like the normal lady doctor as she can be very brusque, so I waited and saw the part time doctor instead (also a lady). I told her I was fed up with feeling tired and in pain (I have a mobility problem as well) and wanted referrals. So she referred me to a gynae. He was really kind, really lovely, and said I didn't have to put up with any of this - heavy bleeding, skin problems, prolapse, etc etc, and they could sort it all out with one operation, so I felt a big feeling of relief and agreed on the spot. He then told me to go away and think about it, so I did, then still wanted it doing.

Hulla · 15/10/2010 10:54

I'm around, sorry for the slow replies. I am just nipping to the shop and then will reply when DD has her nap.

BoffinMum · 15/10/2010 21:09

Ok people, I am officially bricking it now. Have packed a hospital bag with nice pjs and so on, but still very scared.

whenskiesaregrey · 15/10/2010 23:02

Hi Boffin Mum

I'm sorry I don't have anything more constructive to say other than hopefully tomorrow is the first step for you to seeing an end to your problems. You wouldn't have gotten this far if you didn't think it was worth it; try not to worry too much. I know that is easier said than done. Good luck, and make sure you look after yourself and take time to recover x

Thank you for talking through your stages before getting to where you are now.

whenskiesaregrey · 16/10/2010 10:50

Good luck today BoffinMum x

BoffinMum · 17/10/2010 13:03

OK, it was not too bad at all. Had op, then a bit groggy for the rest of the day. Bits felt considerably less awful than after childbirth. Had morphine on demand intravenously and a catheter, which was actually a good thing even though I was initially grossed out, as it meant I could rest completely and not even have to go to the loo. Today the catheter came out and when I had a wee it did not sting or hurt or anything.I am off the drip now and eating and drinking normally and just having tablets for pain relief. A lot less awful than I was expecting and I would recommend it as an op (so far!)

whenskiesaregrey · 17/10/2010 23:12

hi BoffinMum, glad things are better than you were expecting. Also, thank you for detailing your post-op experience too, it really helps. How much longer do you have to stay in for? Have you got things to read/do to help pass the time?

BoffinMum · 18/10/2010 17:32

Home now - was in hospital 2 nights. Feeling post-operative and too out of it to do much, tbh. Family noisy and eldest son being brattish and attention seeking. Wish I had stayed in!

shhrep77 · 27/10/2010 21:11

Hi everyone - I am not sure where to post this because I do not want to be insensitive to other people's problems whereas mine is mostly 'cosmetic'.

I had forceps and third degree tearing 2 months ago - so far so good. I have urgency for needing to do a poo but that seems to be decreasing and i have the pelvic floor clinic soon to make sure things are OK. Apart from the tearing I got massive piles from pushing trying to pre-empt the forceps.The piles are gone but the skin is not.So I guess i have anal skin tags? No where can I find any info on whether this skin will go on its own or will I have to request surgery? I have asked my GP but she didn't seem to really take on board that I find it a problem - I find it takes ages to wipe clean and it just looks awful and feels weird.

Anyway - sorry if this is a hijack of sorts and that I am just venting and I don't want anyone to think I am not acknowledging that other posters have really been through the wars and my issues are minor in comparison...

Hulla · 28/10/2010 14:12

Not a hijack shhrep, all sounds relevant to me.

Whenskiesaregrey & boffinmum - sorry for the appallingly long absence. RL got in the way.

I have asked DH to occupy DD this evening whilst I come back and respond to all of your posts.

Hulla · 28/10/2010 20:06

Oh whenskies you sound so low. Do you think you could handle some counselling? I found a counsellor who helped me hugely with my feelings towards my body.

I understand what you're saying, I still find examinations upsetting. I generally am very quiet on the way to the hospital and a bit teary afterwards. I go because I am more scared of the alternative.

Ok, do you feel like leaking when you dance or opting out of activities is easier to live with than hospital appointments? I don't say that to sound funny, I mean it. If it is, then stay as you are. The only thing I would say is they may not do anything surgical for prolapse but they can refer to women's health physio and you can always stop treatment if you feel it's getting too much.

And don't feel compelled to tell anyone in real life if you don't feel comfortable. I found that talking on MN was enough for me. However, I think you should still post here and talk, if you find it helpful.

Someone gave me this link for prolapse advice. There is a forum and lots of articles and I think the site is run by a woman who has her own book and dvd so you could always check that out first?

I am sorry I have taken ages to reply, your posts and BoffinMums posts have been on my mind but we're going through some tricky times in the Hulla household so getting time to post proper replies on here has been difficult.

How are the pelvic floor exercises going? Any improvement?

Hulla · 28/10/2010 20:10

BoffinMum How are you getting on post-op? I hope you're recovering nicely. It sounds like your op went well. Did you need the NCT doughnut cushion in the end?

Let us know how you're doing. It'll be lovely to add another success story to the thread Smile

Hulla · 28/10/2010 20:21

Hi Schhrep! Congratulations on the birth of your dc!

Two months is not very long in terms of recovery from a tear. I would imagine you'll continue to improve (including the wipe - I think that's usually due to weak sphincter muscles). It can take up to 2 years to recover properly so you have lots of time for things to get better - although if you feel they aren't then don't wait 2 years to see your GP.

Specifically on the tags though, I don't know if they're contributing to the wiping problem but the fact that they are bothering you is reason enoough to ask about treatment IMO.

I had a friend who had these after her DS was born last year and she had them surgically removed without problem.

Can you book another appointment with your GP or see someone else at the practice and rather than going in and asking what they thing, tell them that you'd like them removed if possible?

If they the refer you to a hospital make sure you ask what the risks are of having them removed - I don't know if there are any, it just makes sense to know this before having any treatment.

Similarly, if they refuse to refer you - ask why not.

Sorry, my advice is a bit vague, it's not my area of expertise.

Good luck, will you come back and let us know how you get on?

Doombar I have emailed you again - sorry, the last one didn't send I don't think. This one makes up for it (size-wise!).

shhrep77 · 02/11/2010 21:28

Hulla, thank you so much for taking the time to reply - I really appreciate it and I think you are doing a marvelous job with this particular support thread.

I will give it a bit more time and see if things tighten up and yes I will let you know if I have an op. Thanks again.