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

[Jacksmama]

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.

That sounds alot more positive kentmumtj sounds like you had a lovely weekend.

Think back to your 1st time,things were uncomfortable then,or usually,not for everyone.But with "practice" things got easier.With careful slow dilation,that should happen again.

With hormonal influences and contractions etc. your vagina would dilate again to allow the passage of a baby. So I guess its small steps for you but maybe its possible without surgery.

thats what im hoping anyway i would much rather avoid any more surgery if its possible
so fingers crossed for me ...... maybe its time for the carrots lol

Hello all
I don't know where to start as this could end up a silly long post.I have a rectocele and cycstocele and 2 bulges .Have problems empyying my bowels.
Is it worth having the op sooner rather than later?i'm 36 my youngset is 2.
thanks for your honest posts,I no longer feel a freak.

Hey Laine4Kids,
Welcome to the thread and you are by no means a freak Feel free to post as long (not silly) posts as you like. That's the point.
In terms of your question, are you planning to have any more children? My consultant gave me the option of waiting until finished having a family, as once repair was done I'd have to have c-sections. I chose to go ahead and deal with the c-sections because I didn't want to live with my symptoms.
Otherwise I guess it's up to you - I'd imagine recovery is easier the younger/fitter you are. What are your thoughts at the moment?

i was advised to not leave my op any longer as the haling process acn be longer the older you get im 38 but had already finished having my children. i was offered the op when i was 23 but decided against it as i hadnt finished having my children and my symptoms werent too bad.

I guess its down to the individual

I have had problems since ds1 who was10lb ,forceps delivery,masive PPH,blood transfusion,and loads of stitches inside and out,after dd1 9lb8oz had major probs with emptying bowels and mild stress incontinance,successfully treated by physio.
dd2 was born by c section but a small bulge apeared after (rectocele).ds2 was also c section but carrying him,another10lb, has now left me withanother bulge(cysctocele)and return of previous problems.
seeing gyne consultant at end of month,GP says only option surgery and this year.dont want any more dc,
what do you think?
thanks for replys,hope kentmum continues to improve,fingers crossed for you.

Always think its strange to give an "option" of waiting until all DC's are done with,as not many of us would want another "natural" Delivery with the injuries we have unrepaired,so IMO I'd go for the Repair asap,and have C Section if you still want more DC's.

I was given the option to wait until I was older for my repair op (Rectocele), but based on the fact things would get worse,I didn't see the point in waiting.I wanted to be better now,and get on with my life. No dilemma for me.

im so scared about my colposcopy in the morning as ive been told this time they will be doing the biopsy thing again it hurts

anyways i spoke to a nurse who has told me it may not be possible for me to have this done now due to the fact i havent been able to have sexual intercourse

Oh Kentmumtj Hugs to you this morning. Hope things aren't as bad as you expect

How did it go, kentmumtj?

well they couldnt do it i came on my period lol so all that fretting for nothing im booked in for 29th July now plus they have told me that they doubt they will do any treatment or biopsy as its a week before i go on holiday otherwise i will not be able to go swimming etc.......so am feeling quite relaxed now

Is that a "phew, escaped" relaxation ?

yes

lol in fact ive never been so glad to come on my period silly i know but i was just dreading it think the bit that im dreading is the inserting of an object arrggghhhh

Hi all......thanks so much for all your honest chat. I am waiting for a date for my op....after 5 babies all weighing between 10 and 11 lbs I am in desperate need of a rectocele repair, possible cysctocele and a messy tear repair sorted out!!

Just read kentmumtj post regarding her period and wondered....if my period arrives at the same time as my op is due, will they still go ahead ?

I ask as when I saw one Dr at the hospital I was at the tail end of a period, and when she examined me she looked a bit
!

Hi SJLTM,
Welcome to the thread... 5 babies? Check you!
I could be making this up, but I think I asked the period question when I got my op date - if I should check when my period was due etc. and I'm pretty sure they said it didn't matter. I think it makes sense because once the op starts there's blood anyway. I think that's different to an examination where they need to be able to see what they're doing. Hope this helps!
Have you had these problems since birth one, or have they built up over time?
Hope you get your date soon and hang around and tell us how everything goes

hi SJLTM
i would have thought they would although my friend went to have an exploratory op and was sent home as she had started her period so i guess you will just have to ask sorry i cant help any more
good luck with your op

Hi cyee and kentmumtj.
When I think back, having a poo and wind have been going on for some time.
I was offered a TVT tape after my third, (sorry forgot to mention that I was also having this done at the same time) but as my family wasn't complete, I waited till now (and the help of always knowing where the toilet was and pant liners)
As far as the bum bit.... it took my DD3 saying "mummy , when you do a poo, why do you hold your foo foo " ? anyone with a rectocele will know exactly what i'm doing !!
That made me pluck up the courage to chat to the GP and fast forward to now....waiting for the date !!

Hi SJLTM I had a Rectocele repaired in February.
I worried over the period bit,especially as my leaflet info said they may postpone if you are having a period.

However,the nurse said it didn't matter for this op,just as Cyee said,as soon as they start theres blood,so it doesn't make much odds,but for certain Ops it does,as it would obscure the view.But not for this,so no worries.

My Period got delayed,and if it then showed up when i was bleeding it was hard to tell!,I think it did during this time as I had a tummyache.

Good luck with your Op.

Thanks for that Sawyer....I will check in as soon as I have any news.

Newbie here. I just have kind of a silly question. I've got the prolapsed bladder issue and have had since birth of DS2 almost 3 yrs ago. It has gotten a bit worse since I was diagnosed with diverticular disease last summer. Now I am 37wks pregnant, and looking at being induced (due to GD) soon. I am rather nervous that this birth will further complicate the prolapsed bladder, or worse, that I may end up with rectal problems - which is something I can ill afford with diverticular disease already in play.

I've asked the midwife, the GP, and the consultant if vaginal delivery will make the prolapse worse, and they've all said no, but I find it still preying on my mind. I'm 43, and not planning on any more babies. Anyone have any input on how a subsequent vaginal birth affected an already prolapsed bladder? I don't even want to the get into the stitching discussion, as I still feel slightly "off" from last childbirth on that front.

Hi Triggles, I'm afraid I don't know the answer (my gut feeling would be that it would have an impact but thats hardly scientific is it?). I hope someone comes along with a bit more info for you.

Sorry I haven't been around, we've been out and about visiting family for a couple of weeks.

I have got my appointment with the colorectal consultant for the 11th August so I will let you know what he says. I have decided to get my notes from the hospital - does anyone know how you do this?

I have a few more questions to ask this time. For example, I obviously have my perineal tear and the scarring from that but I also have a scar which extends sideways from my fanjo to my thigh. The way it has been stitched has caused the skin to concertina a bit. No one has ever mentioned this.

Hi Triggles. Sorry don't know the answer to your question. Can you ask the obstetric physios?

Good luck with your appointment in August, Hulla.

I had my appointment with the plastic surgeon this morning. He says I have a large cavity and that they should be able to fill it with muscles. They are going to take the grassius muscle from my leg. They may need one or both. I'll be in hospital 1-2 weeks. He advised help for three months after the operation. Great, just what I needed, another whacking nanny bill . I have to continue my diet but gradual lose is OK, and I'm not to diet for the month beforehand as I must be super healthy and ready to heal.

But it means they think they can repair it. Yippee dee doodah.

No dates confirmed yet, but they are trying to get a place on the list on either 11 or 25 September.

thingone that is fantastic news, bet your so pleased, i wish you all the luck with it and the time will be here before you know it.

does sound painful though but then again im such a wimp when it comes to pain

i to am making slow progress i can now actually wipe myself after going to a wee rather than dabbing because i was still so tender so to me thats another step forward to getting back to normal

I think you have to look at it in another way. You have a wonderful child. Do you think most women suffer body damage after childbirth? I'm 48 and had two large babies (9lbs 9oz and 10lbs), both of them two weeks overdue. They are both healthy teenagers now. My labours were long - 36 hours and 11 hours. I think carrying all the weight and the birth themselves caused my problems. Piles of course. Prolapse.One consultant said it's because tendons and muscles are torn and pulled out of shape. Apparently it's very common. Also anaemia which began in first pregnancy and has never gone. Hair loss after birth which never recovered. Also very heavy periods and flooding. Bad back. Women have to put up with so much.