Incontinence and healing after forceps delivery

[AlwaysAnonymous]

Hi I’m just wondering if anyone who has had a similar birth experience can shed some light on their healing / recovery period.

I gave birth 12 weeks ago via forceps and am leaking small amounts of urine frequently every day — I’m worried as I can’t actually feel this happening and I don’t believe it’s stress incontinence as it seems to happen all the time throughout the day. Strangely, I can stop weeing mid flow but I’ve found when I think I’ve finished weeing I sometimes leak a bit more.

I’ve been doing pelvic floor exercises but more recently have downloaded the Squeezy app and am following that religiously but I’m seeing my doctor in two weeks to discuss in more detail.

It’s really getting me down and I think wearing pads all the time is making my episiotomy wound healing slower too… I guess I’m just looking to hear from anyone who had a similar delivery and experience, how long did it take you to regain control of your pelvic floor and stop the leaking?

Thanks in advance!

Hi, I’m sorry about your situation. I had an Episiotomy 5 months ago due to needing a forceps delivery. I do not recall urine leaking but I am continuing to do pelvic floor exercises. All the best xxx

Hi :) I think I may be experiencing something similar, just wondering how you're getting on?

Please speak to your GP. It may be that your bladder is traumatised by the forceps but you certainly deserve to be seen and treated.

Post forceps birth, I came home with a catheter as my bladder was temporarily paralysed. 6 weeks of catheter, then a month of monitoring urine output (weeing in a measuring jug) plus targeted exercises and then all was well.

It's definitely fixable but you need medical advice. Hope you get sorted soon.

Thanks all for taking the time to leave such kind messages! @Floral581 I’m due to see the doctor on Monday so fingers crossed she can help! Please keep me updated on how you get on too, I’m hoping she knows exactly what it is and can refer me/provide guidance on what to do next!@Jayneisagirlsname I’ve never heard of a bladder being traumatised before, makes complete sense! Your post gives me so much hope, thank you, it can be quite depressing when you think this is how you will be for the rest of your life! I’ve also been trying to self diagonose but problem is I know nothing about ‘down there’ so definitely need GPs advice… will keep you all updated on how I get on ☺️

Hi ladies. I’m 5 months post-partum to a sweet, sweet boy. I had a 36 hour labour, epidural, 2nd degree tear, episiotomy, major blood loss (2.5L), stitches came undone, restitch, multiple rounds of granulation tissue removal, incontinence, pelvic floor weakness and undergoing pelvic floor physio.. i’m not pregnant and don’t plan on it any time soon as i’m not mentally over this birth. Anyone been through something similar? Anyone had a “nice” birth after an assisted and complicated birth? I would at some point like to have a sibling for my boy but the thought currently fills me with insane anxiety. X

@Lugase I would love to hear about this too! Your birth sounds very similar to mine though haven’t yet started on the physio. With the incontinence and episiotomy wound almost 4 months on, it feels like I’ll never be intimate with my partner again (and therefore never conceive another child!). I know that sounds very dramatic - just trying not to let it get me down too much but it is really bloody tough!

Hi ladies just to keep you updated, spoke to GP Monday who is referring me to physio. Had to call the doctors yesterday for baby’s immunisations and asked how long physio referrals usually take and was told 6 months!! Here’s me thinking it would be 6 weeks max… anyway called hospital who said could be closer to 12 weeks but I’m not yet showing on their referral database. For my sanity I’m thinking of looking into an initial review with an independent physio which costs £50 though who knows how many sessions I would need! For now I’m just going to have to stick with the pelvic floor exercises…

I had a really miserable first birth with forceps and epistomy and issues with healing and incontinence after! There was so much pain in the recovery as it wasn’t healing right at all. Second birth was an absolute dream. Did get another epistomy as they worried the scar wouldn’t hold from the first but it was grand after a few weeks and the healing was fine, the birth was pain free as I had my epidural early. Unfortunately I did haemorrhage and need my placenta removed manually but it was sheer bad luck and with the epidural I didn’t feel a thing😂so it was still a lovely birth and Labour, night and day to the first one! I was just lying back relaxing till I had to push and zero pain or discomfort!!!! Even pushing was fast and didn’t take much effort 😂😂😂

I had forceps delivery nearly 8 months ago and am incontinent still. I am sorry to say this as this is not what you want to hear.
I saw a women's health physio early on at 6 weeks who told me my pelvic floor was strong for somebody who had forceps and episiotomy.
I got a referral to a gynaecologist who informed me that it is likely my nerves have been damaged during the delivery and that it will heal but could not commit to a time frame. I had scans and urodynamic tests prior to seeing her.
I am definitely better than what I was initially but am nowhere near healed. I can't feel my bladder at all so I have no idea when I need to go however I do now have a downward sensation when I am absolutely bursting but quite often unless I'm right near toilet it can be too late.
If I can be of any further help or if you have any questions let me know and will try and help share my experience.
It may also be worth asking doctor for a gynaecologist referral. At our trust the women's health physios had monthly meetings with the gynaecologist to discuss people who were experiencing issues.

Very similar experience. Major pelvic floor trauma, prolapse etc. fortunately my incontinece is stress based and has only come on during a subsequent pregnancy. Anyway I went to a private pelvic floor physio. I only had 3 sessions, they teach you what to do (pelvic floor and hypopressive exercises in my case) and check progress but once they are happy you are making progress they said I didn't need to come back , but always could if I felt I needed a bit more support. It was £50 each time so well worth it.

I would definitely recommend going to a private physio if you can afford it. I went to one who offered a 'mummy mot' (which is a comprehensive postnatal assessment) which was relatively expensive but far more thorough and helpful than the routine NHS physio I was offered. For those who have experienced a traumatic birth it's worth finding out whether your trust offers a women's health counselling service too as it can be really helpful, if it's affecting you psychologically as well as physically.

I was also referred to NHS physio by my GP, who then called me back a week later to say the referral had been rejected as they only see patients if they have been having problems for a year! Made an appointment with a private physio the next week. I went to a “Mummy MOT” appointment and it was the best money I ever spent.

Agree 100%. If a mum to be ever asks me for advice it is always get a 'Mummy MOT'.

Also this might be something widely known but I didn't.... your pelvic floor can be strong in different positions and weak in others. I had merrily done my pelvic floor exercises while pregnant in a sitting position. Thought I was quite strong. Even post birth my pelvic floor was strong when sitting. But I barely had any control while laying down or standing. I think post birth i was scoring a 3/4 out of 5 while sitting and barely getting a 1 when I was on my back. If you are waiting for referrals then do your pelvic floor exercises in different positions!

Ask for a physio referral to woman's health.
I'm 5 years down the line 🫣 a lot better but not normal.

Sorry! Didn't read full thread 🤦🏼‍♀️
I'd go for the one off consultation as sometimes doing the exercises can aggravate things. Also double void, do a wee, stand up and then sit down again. Don't try to stop your urine mid flow as this can aggravate things.

Oh my god what's wrong with me. Re midflow I didn't mean aggravate I meant confuse your bladder.

The trust that I work at would see you in their postnatal perineal injury clinic. The details might be on the website of the hospital you gave birth at if they have one or you could ring the postnatal ward to check if they offer a similar service.

Hi, how are you getting on ?
I'm currently 6 months pp have stress incontinence and urge. The urge is when I'm desperate and have a full bladder and I cant hold it then all he'll breaks loose. I still wear maxi pads because it can just be sudden and if I'm not near a loo I leak a full bladder. It's really mentally draining not being in control of your body. It has gotten better though since day 1 of baby arriving so that keeps me going.

I'm not really bothered about the stress incontinence. It's the fact I havnt got thr muscle strength to hold onto to urine urge incontinence.
I keep reading it can take up to a year and it's been mentioned up to 2 years to heal, but it's the not knowing which is the hardest.

My nhs physio isn't great so I'm seeing a private specialist women's physio instead. The cost is mounting but shes definitely worth her weight in gold! I come out of my sessions always feeling more positive.