Anal Incontinence - Advice Please

[mandymac]

Hi

Delivered DD 6 days ago with no forceps, but an episiotemy and a coxyx which has streched the back passage pelvic floor. Am very swollen, sore and also kind of numb and streched feeling down there (surprise surprise). Have got very loose, mucusy stools (sorry to be so graphic) and have several times now failed to reach the loo on time.

Anyone else expereienced this?

I have no experience of this but I'm sure someone has so big bump from me! Poor you that sounds horrible.

Message withdrawn

You too eh? Seems so unfair to have that to deal with after having gone through birth. Early days though. Chances are it'll get better as wound heals. I had to run to reach loo in time after birthing ds4. He came out back to back. 'Normal' delivery with no intervention, but he was 10lbs and hard work! Ouch! Five months down the line things are a lot better. It's well worth doing pelvic floors a lot. Also, get doc to check. It maybe worth stitching wounds. I always rejected stitching but now regret it as my tears (4 times over) never properly healed. Good luck and keep up the pelvic floors.

I suffered this as well afterthe borth of my first dd. She was back to back and I needed forceps to deliver her. It did improve after a couple of months (sorry!). I was referred by my GP to the hospital to see a colonorectal surgeon (lovely job I imagine ) but all he suggested really was pelvic floor exercises and to come back if things didn't improve on their own.

Thankfully I never saw him again!

Hope things improve for you soon

Typing too fast - you will gather that was the birth of my daughter

hi mandymac

at 6 days everything is still quite stretched and loose - things will tighten up down there naturally over time. i would speak to your mw, but also ask your gp to refer you to a specialist women's health physio - s/he should be sure to state in her referral that you are v. recent post natal. poor you. but don't worry there is an absolutely excellent chance that things will be fine.

good luck.

Agree about pelvic floor exercises. Doing them frequently and regularly every day will reduce swelling, promote healing and strengthen muscles around anus. If it does not improve in next week let GP know.

pelvic floor exercises will really help.

I fear the bot doc but will go if told to as I don't want to minimise problems in later life. I don't trust myself to do pelvic floors for the rest of my life.

I mean I DO want to minimise problems. Hard to type with giant BF baby on knee.

Are you eating and drinking properly to help slow things down ? I also had an episiotomy and coccyx strain with ds' delivery and it took a few weeks to really establish full feeling back, although fortunately had no incontinence. Take it easy, use ice and/or warm packs to make your stitches and back more comfortable and help you sit properly, and if it is still a problem mention it to your midwife before she discharges you and follow it up again at your 6 week check with gp. A member of my antenatal group was referred to a specialist physio at the local hospital to have her muscles exercised with electronic pulses as normal exercises did n't correct her problem (large baby, long second stage, forceps and stitches etc).

hi mandymac

another thought struck me. if you have loose, mucusy stools, is it possible that you have a diarrhoea bug? most of us are knocking back the lactulose and dealing with the delightful constipation/piles combo at 6 days post natal. if so, then it's difficult for anyone to make it to the loo on time if they've got the runs. just a thought.

Thanks to all. Knew from lurking before delivery that I would get some sound advice on here. Saw womens health physio today and she is please with how swelling is going down. Am icing (sent DH to mothercare for femme pads and to pick up maternity bras - assistant were very impressed apparently). Going to GP tonight to rule out any infection or tummy bug. If no bug, will be referred to perenial specialist apparently (that is a really specific specialisation!).

If all else fails, as a former IBS sufferer, I'm taking some comfort in the fact that I know the location of the nearest loo from any given point in town.

wow, you have been busy! that's v. impressive with a 7 day old baby!

good luck