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Women's health

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Rectocele and perineal descent and not coping

35 replies

Mistyskypercy · 20/10/2022 16:16

I’ve not posted on mumsnet before but have been reading posts for about the last 10 months. I had my first baby 11 months ago at the age of 36. I was so anxious throughout my pregnancy that something would go wrong and asked the midwife to refer me to the consultant to discuss caesarean. Mainly because I’m a bit older and because I am extremely slim I worried there would be difficulties. I requested multiple times and this was never actioned until the day before I gave birth I ended up going in with bleeding but caesarean was never mentioned. When I asked the midwife about prolapses and after effects of giving birth she told me she had only seen 1 prolapse in 12 years of working as a midwife. I stupidly believed her. Well anyway I was in such a state with anxiety I was literally frozen. I’m normally quite a proactive person but this was too anxiety provoking for me. So ended up spontaneously going into labour the day after I saw consultant. It was quite fast labour and a small 6 pound baby but have done serious damage. I don’t think the midwife recognised how far along I was. When she finally checked she said 9.5cm and to start pushing. But she was very aggressive in telling me to hold my breathe and push etc it was very unpleasant. I wonder if I was in 2nd stage longer and it wasn’t recognised I don’t know. What’s concerning is when the baby was far down and she asked my partner to come and see the baby’s head and then she said one more push and it will be here, give me the biggest push ever. There was no small pushes or breaths to allow tissues to accommodate. But I was just listening to her and doing what she told me. She then also put examination jelly on my vagina to make the baby come out even faster? Has anyone heard of this? I was told very minimal damage only one small cut and 2 grazes that needed sutured which she did. Immediately I recognised that my pelvic floor felt awful I could hardly walk, but was just told it was because I gave birth and they kept telling me this for weeks. Since giving birth I have been completely unable to have a bowel motion normally. The stool moves to my rectum and causes a pressure sensation in my vagina, but on trying to pass it, my anterior vaginal wall bulges instead. I immediately knew I had serious problems and told 2 different midwifes who both said I don’t have a prolapse and I’m constipated. I knew I’m not constipated as stool going into rectum every day and I had to splint or poke it out. Even if the stool is very soft. I then went to GP 2 weeks later who also said I am probably constipated and prescribed laxatives. Was referred to nhs physio and had telephone appointment and told to do exercises. This was going on and on, pelvic floor felt so heavy and hanging down, bulge at the front and unable to poo. Went to physio in person who examined me and said no rectocele and to do pelvic floor relaxation as she thinks my muscles are tight. I went and saw a different GP about 2 or 3 months after the birth with all this still going on. She examined my vagina and bum and said no prolapses. Said I need to relax and do art therapy etc to help me relax. So this has all been going on for months by now, they know I can no longer pass stools normally but still not helping me. I should add that I’m a doctor myself and have been absolutely shocked at the care I have received throughout my pregnancy and post partum. Finally saw a gynaecologist who was in the room next door to my physio appt in April which the physio said was to reassure me - well she said that I have a cystole after everyone else saying I haven’t. This was examined lying down. She said no rectocele. Gave me a cube pessary and no information about it and said the prolapse will go back in with exercises (which I had been told not to do by physio as they wanted me to relax my pelvic floor). I then attended another nhs physio for biofeedback for the bowel 6 months after the birth. She assessed again and says to do exercises so started doing them again. She also referred me to pelvic floor doctor due to defaecation problems. Initially they weren’t going to see me and said don’t see women til at least 9 months post partum. But managed to convince them I needed see . He saw me and said rectocele and prob other things sent for proctogram which I had 10 months post partum. Just got result yesterday from physio which shows a rectocele and perineal descent. No appointment with the pelvic floor doc have phoned secretary but they are fed up of me. So I’m left 24 hours a day with feeling of my bum hanging down, something up my bum, unable to pass wind or bowel movement, very lax vagina, front wall literally hanging outside, can’t lift or be active or all this is worse. When I try to poo it feels like I’m just pushing my vagina and bum out, not their contents. The physio gave me a rectal irrigation set to try and it does help a bit but I don’t want to be left like this. 11 months now I haven’t seen or spoken to anyone just been at home as I can’t face anyone like this. Not even told my mum or partners parents. Not got any support to look after the baby as family all hours away. I have been reading the posts on here but I have given up hope as I’m scared the operations won’t help and I will have damaged my body even more for nothing. But at same time can’t be left like this. I was so active before, walking for miles, out enjoying dinner etc now I can’t do anything because of all this. Has anyone else got perineal descent and had any kind of treatment? I don’t see how any of the operations I’ve read about can help with anything because it’s all hanging so low, I don’t know how they can elevate it. The problem is I’m so thin and prob not much tissue to attach anything to? I honestly can’t believe I have been allowed to get into this mess and feel like nobody really cares or can help.

OP posts:
Bentley123 · 22/10/2022 23:04

I had bad damage after birth, again missed by midwives. A different issue to you but none the less horrible. Thinking of you and hope you get the help you need.
You can sometimes see NHS consultants quicker privately for a consultation, but if you need follow up treatment it can be done on the NHS.
I had a c section for second baby (elective) oh my it was a walk in park in terms of recovery compared to vaginal. I also felt my whole pelvic floor was falling out after birth and couldn’t stand properly.

Bentley123 · 22/10/2022 23:05

(Pelvic floor felt fine after c section)

GingerScallop · 23/10/2022 00:55

acornsarenottheonlyfruit · 22/10/2022 00:38

@Mistyskypercy do the heaviness and bulging feel any better when you lie down with your legs bent feet on the floor/bed? Im just asking as I started having prolapse symptoms a few years ago, literally overnight they just appeared. I was walking to meet friend thinking what the fuck is going on, it felt like I had a bowling ball attached to my vagina.

I had to google it and I had never heard of a prolapse, I don't have children but think men was caused by peri menopause. Anyway cue panicking from me, and I came across an Australian woman who has a you tube channel and she says to start exercises lying down as organs are better placed in this position. I also bought a device which helped a lot.

Your symptoms do sound worse than mine, but I am Pretty much symptom free now. At certain times of the month they do return but only for a day .

I live in the SW pretty rurally and I can understand the issue you have there regarding services.

Is the woman by any chance Michelle kenway? Just in case others may want look her up

acornsarenottheonlyfruit · 23/10/2022 08:14

@GingerScallop yes thats her, thank you !

Bridget944 · 25/10/2022 22:20

@Thymely can I ask when this was and how old you are? Do you have any advice I have a large rectocele :( and a low cervix looking for successful stories I’m only 28

rustcohlesmug · 25/10/2022 22:44

HI OP, nothing really useful to add but couldn’t read and run. I am so sorry that you’ve been going through this. I really hope that the situation improves for you xx

bunnypillow · 26/03/2025 08:36

@Mistyskypercy Hi OP have you found any solution? I have exactly the same symptoms as you and had my DD in May 22 and my problems started after her birth. GP is of no use. Please let me know if you managed to find a solution. I feel so desperate and am planning on going to a private GP.

ScaryM0nster · 26/03/2025 18:19

bunnypillow · 26/03/2025 08:36

@Mistyskypercy Hi OP have you found any solution? I have exactly the same symptoms as you and had my DD in May 22 and my problems started after her birth. GP is of no use. Please let me know if you managed to find a solution. I feel so desperate and am planning on going to a private GP.

I’d suggest if you’re thinking private, look for a specialist pelvic / women’s health physio.
They’re the experts on how the musculature in the area works. Have been so much more help than GP or consultant.

bunnypillow · 26/03/2025 18:21

@ScaryM0nsterDoes this mean i go to a private pelvic floor therapist? Without going through a GP?

ScaryM0nster · 26/03/2025 20:42

bunnypillow · 26/03/2025 18:21

@ScaryM0nsterDoes this mean i go to a private pelvic floor therapist? Without going through a GP?

Yup.

You can go direct in the same way you’d ring up a sports physio about a knee injury you wanted their assessment of.

They often brand their initial assessments under things like Mummy MOT (which is cringeworthy, but what they then do is so worthwhile for a good one).

Its a fairly specialist area of physio, so do look around for someone who specialises in women’s health / pelvic physio rather than a general /
sports one. Expect it to be hands in (literally).

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