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.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

Hello all,

I don't know if I'm after advice or what really but I saw the gynaecologist today convinced I have a prolapse of the bowel and he told me he thinks my vagina is sagging which is causing the bowel problems. Could this be the case? I had a radical hytserctomy 3.6 years ago so the top of my vagina was removed along with the cervix and lots of other bits and then my vagina was sewn up at the top.

I have a bulge on the back wall of my vagina, I can't have a bowel movement properly without pushing it back in and I get terrible urgency when I need my bowels open.

He's referred me for surgery to correct the sagging but I'm panicking in case they operate and it's no better because I did have a rectocele after all IYSWIM. He only examined me for about 30 seconds. I'm assuming his thinking is that the vagina sagging is causing the bulging in the posterior wall?

Also he didn't really explain what will happen next. Please just reassure me someone will examine me a bit more thoroughly before messing around with my bits

Sorry for the long post. I'm worrying

[Sawyer64]

How much did your gynaecologist examine you?

I had an internal,and then he used a Sims Speculum,which is a C-Shaped(Straight edges not curved though) metal instrument which is wavy,and wanted me to "bear down" and cough etc.

He was able to see whether it was the front wall,or back wall that was affected.

I think that the back wall is shortened and excess wall is removed or oversewn somehow,which if you imagine an upside down bag that is shortened one side,the whole area would be "tighter" at the top I think.

When they came to "consent me" for the Op the surgeon explained how they would do it,if that didn't answer your doubts,you could question the techniques I'm sure.

He may just be using "layman language" to explain,and really he could be talking about a Rectocele repair.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

Thanks for the reply

He literally only examined me really briefly, asked me to cough a few times and then told me my vagina was sagging from the top

The appointment was with the gynaecologist for my yearly check up following the radical hysterectomy but I figured I'd mention it to them rather than the GP who is useless. At least he reconised that something is wrong.

You're always left with more questions than answers aren't you? It's so frustrating.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

I googled what was written on the pre-op questionnaire I filled in.

It's a vault repair-sacrospinous fixation which kind of makes sense so I'm panicking a bit less now

I think I just expected them to um and ah a bit and refer me on rather than just say "you need an operation".

I hate hospitals.

[Sawyer64]

That sounds about right with the type of Repair you need.

Most repairs are successful,and you'll probably be glad later that they haven't "pussy-footed" about.

Scary at the moment though.

I had my Repair (Rectocele) in February,and I'm very glad I did.Took a while to recover fully though.But they tell you that.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

I'm glad your op went well Sawyer64

Recovery time is worrying me a bit but at least now my ds's are older I don't have to worry about lifting them and they will be at school in the week.

When I had my radical hysterectomy they were both pre-school and child care was a bit of a nightmare.

[Sawyer64]

Second that! My DD1 was 4yrs and DD2 2yrs.

Very difficult not to lift 2 yr olds at some stage.

She was very good at climbing into things,tried to make it a game,but when she got a leg stuck etc......!

If you read back at our threads,we were usually able to potter about after a few days,and after a week start to do a few light things.

By 2 weeks I was back at work doing a sit down job(not recommended,but I couldn't take anymore time off)and was ok.A little sore and very tired at the end of the day though.

Everyones Recovery time differs,but this was about average.Mostly you can see we were all quite pleasantly surprised at how well we felt considering.

[Hulla]

Hi Doyouthinktheysaurus, I'm sorry to hear about your repair. Lots of positive stories here though and lots of support!

Ok, I saw my colorectal surgeon on Tuesday and he has confirmed that the outer sphincter is "fine" but my inner sphincter lacks tone. He said it is difficult to repair but the first option is to use a "bulking agent" - silicone injections into the internal sphincter muscle.

This isn't a permanent option (it may not work at all) and I'll have to go back every few years for more injections! I am so upset that I went into hospital to have a baby and came out a patient.

He also thinks I have nerve damage which will just get worse with age (I don't know the effect of that though) and he said he'll treat that then.

I have posted in breast & bottle feeding in a panic about my op but thought I would update you all on my progress!

Cyee, hope your fil is ok. Great news about the c-section. My consultant said on Tuesday that if I have anymore dcs they have to be delivered by c-section.

[SammyK]

Hi there I have a rectocele and cystocele prolapse and am due surgery in November to repair. If any of you have endured a bladder test can you please have a look here for me?

[DMCT]

Hi Guys,

Sorry I've not been online. Been away, and sometimes not in the mood recently - dont know why?!?!? But I hope you are all doing well, havent had the chance to read through all the latest posts.

Cyee hope youe pregnancy is going well .

Chat soon

[Hulla]

Hi SammyK, I have never had a bladder test but I am sure there will be someone on here who'll know about them.

Hi DMCT I know what you mean, sometimes I can't face typing my miserable thoughts on here. Sometimes I quite like hanging around Telly Addicts and talking rubbish.

I hope you're well.

[SJLTM]

Hi all, I said would check in again when I had some news !!
Have just had pre assessment at hospital, all good, and op is planned for 25th August
(TVT tape, rectocele repair and possible cyestocele. Also re fashioning of vaginal tear ).
All little poeple sorted as school holidays !!
couple of questions: paperwork suggests approx 4 ish days in hospital, but pre assessment nurse said, maybe home the next day ?? and secondly, do I need to totally shave my bits !! Hope you are all surviving the holidays , thanks.

[SJLTM]

That should be All little PEOPLE !

[Hulla]

SJLTM I have had the same sort of confusion over my op - I called my consultants secretary in the end. She cleared it up for me.

Not sure on the shaving either but when I was having dd was and was taken to theatre the midwife checked to see if I needed shaving and but said it was fine because I was very neat (pre-birth trim & tidy!).

I'd have thought if you needed to shave they'd have told you?

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[SJLTM]

HULLA thanks for that.....one handout says shave, the other doesn't mention it [hmmm]
although I do keep it rather tidy down there , iykwim just wondered if I needed to remove the landing strip !

[Hulla]

PMSL I think you'll be ok to leave it on. So long as there aren't any really long bits to get in the way/make keeping your repair area clean then I can't see a problem. If not, you get a repair and a salon treatment on the NHS

[SJLTM]

[Cyee]

LOL at the shaving convo! I wasn't asked to for mine, but made sure I was neat and tidy. I'm sure the surgeon appreciate then when he was elbow deep in my bits

Hope you're all doing well. Great that you have your op date SJLTM - not long to go!

Great to see you DMCT - hope life in Ireland is going ok.

Welcome Doyouthinktheysaurus (great name)! Sorry to hear about your impending repair - hope you got the answers to your questions.

All ok with me, but not on MN much as mainly with FIL still. Still suffering chronic morning sickness and realising my pelvic floor muscles need work .

Take care everyone

[Hulla]

My sister had her baby yesterday and a third degree tear (his hand was by his face when he was born) . She lost a lot of blood and looks dreadful. I feel sick for her but hope she got a good repair.

[Cyee]

Oh Hulla - so sorry to hear about your sister. Hope she is well looked after and congrats on Aunty-hood

[GibberingGinger]

Just wanted to say this a really helpful thread. I only wish I had read it 19months ago when I had a third degree tear. I felt quite alone with it all then.

Fortunately I didn't have as bad an experience as a lot of you on here (my sympathy to all of you, there are some horrific experiences). I seem to have healed quite well, a bit of urge incontinence (front and back passage) but I'm sure if I was more rigourous with my pelvic floor exercises I could improve it.

What has brought it all back now, is that I am thinking of TTC again and although it is all hypothetical at the moment I'm already thinking about birth and the possiblity of tearing again. I don't mind the tearing, its the possibilty of worse incontinence that scares me!

Really glad of this thread, now that I've posted on it hopefully I'll be able to find it again (spent a lot of time searching third degree tears and not finding much!)

[Cyee]

Hi GibberingGinger - welcome and sorry to hear about your experience 19 months ago.

I'm pregnant at the moment, so know what you mean about those worries!

I'd have a chat with your GP - obviously they aren't wild about agreeing people can have c-sections, but it's worth getting on their radar about your concerns. They might think it worth you seeing a consultant.

In my case they've recommended a section - however that's mainly because of their fear that my repair jobby will be reversed.

If it helps I know a few people who had 3rd degree tears that healed well and went on to have much less traumatic deliveries second and third time around. I guess in some cases the tear/repair has eased the way for subsequent births.

Welcome anyway and good luck with your TTC'ing!

Happy weekend!

[SJLTM]

Hi all, tomorrow is the day of the opp !!
just had my second shower in hibiscrub......do all hospitals now do this ?
At my pre assessment appointment swabs were taken for MRSA (im all clear) but all potential patients have to wash in hibiscrub, before and after surgery...

[Hulla]

That's interesting SJLTM, I didn't know they did that. I was swabbed too but haven't heard anything (so assume I am all clear?). Good luck for tomorrow, just think - not long until you can put it all behind you and get on with your life problem free.

Let us know how you get on.

Hello GibberingGinger, my colorectal surgeon recommended a c-section next time (if there is a next time! ). I feel sad that'll never have the waterbirth I was silly to have such a fixed idea of the birth.

I agree, it is difficult to find information about subsequent births. I think cyee is right, it would be a good idea to talk to someone who can see your medical history.

I am more comfortable with the idea of a c-section (although its obviously not an easy option). I could not go through what I went through again and, like you, am terrified that I would be left woth worse symptoms than I have now.

[kentmumtj]

hi everyone i havent been on for a while as i have been away for 2 1/2 weeks relaxing and getting quite a nice tan in the south of france.

well my recotocele is def back as when i have a nowel movement im doing exactly what i did before and upon looking it can be seen. Not sure if it is as bad but thats because i dont want to look too closely incase i get upset.

I have an appointment booked for end of september.

am so upset about it still and also havent been able to use it still grrrrr.

hope everyone else is doing ok