Is this 'normal' with IBS or a long term effect from forceps delivery?

[Perfectlyround]

This is going to be graphic so be warned, I've also NC for obvious reasons! I've had IBS since my early 20's (now 48) with varying levels of severity over the years, it's largely manageable but worsens with stress etc so goes through phases where it flares up, always leaning towards IBS-D rather than C.

When DD was born 14 years ago it was a fairly traumatic forceps delivery and I had both a tear (they never told me what degree) and episiotomy. Post natal care was abysmal and the only info I was given was two male consultants swinging by my bed a few hours post-delivery to cheerily inform me I would now be faecally incontinent. I was too groggy to ask any questions at the time but I healed well and was perfectly continent afterwards so just put it out of my mind.

My IBS has been flaring more regularly over the last couple of years and I do now have occasions where I struggle to get to the toilet in time, always when I have particularly bad D and the 'results' are entirely liquid (sorry TMI). So now I'm worrying that there was more damage than I thought, that it's going to worsen until it affects my continence day to day rather than just once in a blue moon and that I was stupid to not ask more questions at the time.

So I suppose I'm wanting to know whether this is somewhat normal with IBS, especially as we get older, or could damage done that many years ago have taken this long to show?

I have ibs and have had it for some time. I go through phases of having this, especially when I'm under stress, and then it goes again when I'm under less stress.

So normal for me.

This is normal with my IBS-D and incidents have somewhat increased now I'm menopausal.

I don't know why that's comforting to hear but it is, thank you both. Age-related decline I can (just about) live with as hopefully it will at least be slow! It's just not something you can drop into conversation with people is it so I think I just needed to know that it is somewhat normal 😊

What has your GP said? Do you have any prolapse?

I had urinary incontinence and my GP did an internal, told me I had prolapse and sent me to a uro-gynae.

Lots of useful intel here, BUT, my gastro always says if your IBS symptoms change, they need checking out to rule out anything else that might be brewing.

Have you ever requested a copy of your delivery notes from the hospital? They're legally obliged to keep them for 25 years - it might be worth contacting them for a copy (it's usually enough to Google "name-of-hospital request medical records" to find out what the process is. There's usually about a £20 fee involved) and asking one of the current obstetricians to go through them with you on view of your current symptoms. It's unlikely to be someone who was involved in your DDs birth, but enough should have been documented in your noted that any obstetrician would be able to discuss them with you.

Thanks so much for the further replies, no prolapse that I'm aware of Moredarkchocolateplease but haven't seen the GP for about 5 years tbh, it's fair to say I'm a bit doctor-avoidant these days due to some fairly unpleasant past experiences. I have very occasional urinary stress incontinence when I sneeze or cough particularly hard but otherwise fine in that department.

The increase in D incidents isn't unusual for me Namechangetimesigh, my IBS seems to go in cycles and I've been through these phases before so that side of it isn't out of the ordinary, it's just the lack of control That's not to say I won't go to the GP with this, I am working up to it but it takes me a while!

I haven't ever requested my notes no GordonGarden, I didn't feel anything like mentally recovered enough until DD was about 5 and by that time they'd closed the maternity unit at that hospital so I don't know if they'd even still have them. I'll give it some thought though, I honestly think I had PTSD afterwards it was so awful and I try not to think about it now so it would be a big thing for me to rake it all up again even if they do still have them. The combination of how traumatic a birth it was and the abysmal quality of care was enough to completely put me off having the second child I wanted and meant I spent the next 3 years on antidepressants so I'm not sure I want to go there.

@GordonGarden I didn't even think about doing this before. I have no idea if I tore or was cut. I just know I have stitches.

So I've made a request this afternoon. Thank you so much!

Hopefully it will help me understand my own prolapse issues.

They are no longer allowed to charge for making copies of your records.