Running to loo after epiostomy and 2nd degree tear

[Pickles31]

Hi I have my baby 12 days ago and yesterday after having tea ( not sure if it agreed with me) but was in the kitchen and then suddenly felt a no 2 coming and I literally couldnt get to the loo quick enough or stop it from happening and actually pooped myself! I was so embarrassed :( today it almost happened again but I got to the loo in time. Has anyone else had this happen after epiostomy or tear?

No not had this but it's worth mentioning to midwife or gp as you could have some damage that wasn't picked up when they checked you over and stitched you up , I know at my 6 week check up they check you haven't had any issues with going to the toilet . It could just be where you did a lot of damage pushing the baby out so maybe you need abit if time for it to repair it self . I had a forceps delivery so had a catheter and for weeks I couldn't feel when I needed a wee until I was about to pop !

Yes I had forceps too, and know what you mean about weeing, I’m
Currently still weeing in the shower and using a jug of warm water on my bits. Got antibiotics too to help with the swelling of my stiches, really hope there is no permenant damage pooping wise. Hopefully once the swelling has gone down I can control myself more as still feel numb down there too

Sorry OP, it's horrible isn't it? I had a 3rd degree tear and everything was difficult to begin with- I had "bladder numbness" so couldn't tell I needed the loo (had to just go sit on it every 2 hours to stop me wetting myself) and bowel movements were tough. Rest assured, it was all normal and things are fine now and have been for a while (DS is 17mo). If you're worried definitely speak to GP/midwife and they will refer you to a physiotherapist who may be able to suggest exercises to help.

Oh op, I had this shortly after my second was born (also forceps and episiotomy) it got better fairly quickly after the birth on its own, I can't remember how long exactly. Are you on Iron tablets? I was and found those didn't help bowel matters but obviously helped with low iron so sadly necessary!

Congratulations OP

I think it’s really common depending on the damage you had. I had forceps, a grade 4 tear and was on an elephants dose of lactulose for the first couple of weeks which gave me ‘urgency’ it settled after a few weeks when I got off the laxatives and did a tonne of physio pelvic floor excersises. Good luck!

I did this the day after I had my twins I had an episiotomy, forceps/ventouse and 3rd degree tear. The consultant reassured me that it just takes time and that labour relaxes everything. Sure enough all been fine since.. I self referred for physio and that was a game changer

@pixiecutregret yes On iron tablets for another 7 days to go. Yes been taking lactulose for quite some time, I reckon it’s what I ate lastnite or the antibiotics I’m on, I started taking those yesterday and it does say they can cause running to loo. Hoping it sorts its self out eek

OP don't hesitate to get yourself referred to physio if it continues - I had similar and turns out I have nerve damage caused by forceps. Things are gradually improving with physio and am also under a consultant who has said they'll sign off a c section for any future babies. Hope it improves for you!

I had a third degree tear and had one incident of that when I overdid it on the lactulose! Stopped when I stopped the lactulose.

I sort of know what you mean - my muscles just didn't feel very responsive for a while (I couldn't push a poo out very well) but it did resolve.

Ask your MW for sure.

I’ve had this problem too with urgency post forceps. They are known to have potentially damaging side effects to the pelvic floor

I’ve been advised to do pelvic floor exercises and if that doesn’t improve then go back to the gp to get a physio referral