Impact of birth injuries/prolapse etc

[QuentinSummers]

Just read this article in the Guardian and am shocked by just how prevalent prolapse are. This is a feminist issue surely?
Timely for me because I have some kind of issue and don't want to go to the doctor
amp.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2017/dec/28/vaginal-health-post-partum-maternity-rectocele

Two really bad tears here - 3rd degree but nearly fourth. Severely damaged sphincter.

I remember being pleased that a female surgeon stitched me up twice. Thank goodness I had a good team with regards to the repair of the tears. Also they did allow me to talk through the traumatic births in each occasion with my medical notes.

Severe blood loss meant I could really walk properly and I lost all strength in my legs and still can't squat for example I can't get off a floor by myself need someone or some furniture to lean on. I can't sit down and get up easily unless I can lean on something to transfer my weight.

Not making it to the toilet nor being able to control bowel movements has really been awful at times. I always need to know where the toilets are and they need to be close. I can't be stuck in a queue for toilets.

I also remember going for tests where I had to pee myself in front of a group of medical staff and they also inserted balloons in me and so on. During this whole fucking bullshit episode I was called "Mum".

They couldn't even read my name even if I asked them to say my name.

This infantile way of addressing me meant I could really be bothered trusting them about any operations as I figured if they could met actually read my notes and address me by my name I couldn't trust them. Thank god given the vaginal mesh fiasco I didn't trust them.

The best help I had was from a medical specialist for a different bowel problem. His advice was quite good, especially about how pelvic floors weaken more after menopause.
I manage my condition well. my pelvic floor may strengthen a bit after breastfeeding - it did and also this good specialist told me not to listen to the colerectol Surgeon who told me not to go running

I could never stay at someone's house for example as urge incontinence isn't pleasant but I manage it.

Yes I think the risks should be detailed to women.

I also remember reading a book by Naomi wolf where olive oil was used on the perineum on the recommendation of midwives to help skin not tear - wish I had read stuff like that and been informed before I gave birth.

I had an emergency c-section but started labour. I can't recall it all but it appears after the fact no one checked my cervix etc. I was left with severe scarring to the cervix and a prolapse both of which mean I can't even have a smear without general anaesthetic or an epidural. So every time I need a smear I have to take a whole day out and take up a hospital bed. The thing is every freaking time they query it again and I go through at least one failed (and painful attempt) to take the smear - EVEN THOUGH the specialist told me I have to go into hospital for the smear they can never take me or my notes at my word. Wasn't so bad this time as my doctor now is excellent (and female). The hospital experience this time was ... interesting, but that's another story.

Not as bad as some examples here but this kind of thing is very much a feminist issue. I'm pretty damn sure more would be done if it was men going through this kind of thing.

I hear you Madam I hear you, why can't they read notes?

I've always been told by physios that my Lordosis has caused me to have a backwards tilting pelvis and it's a bad thing?

Going to book my post birth check up, I will raise the issue of my prolapse (I can see/feel my urethra but it's not poking 'out' I'm also not sure if I'm leaking urine or it's lochia, or a mix of both. If it's urine it's minor and I seem to be able to hold it. What should I be requesting, physio? Gynaecologist?

Zero doubt this is a feminist issue, happy to see this thread. POP is without a doubt the biggest secret in women's health, on medical record for nearly 4000 years since Kahun papyrus, still not talked about effectively out loud or screened for. Estimated to impact 50% of women, childbirth and menopause the leading causal factors (2 of the most significant life events women experience) yet no screening exists during routine pelvic exams. Geez don't get me started, I'll rant all day. Without a doubt, will generate the next significant shift in women's health directives. For all we have achieved as women over the decades, it is ridiculous that a health condition that is so prevalent and invasive remains shrouded in silence after all we have achieved as women.

Know APOPS will continue to fight to bring this topic to the table via media, legislative priorities, policy makers, as well as clinician and women's conferences. We will push until change occurs!

I can’t believe that I knew almost nothing about this. Thank you for all that you are doing, sjpPOP.

@frogsoup I went to the docs today. She told me i have floppy walls but nothing abnormal. Have to go for a camera up the bum
Thanks for the moral support everyone, I might not have gone otherwise

Not just injuries from vaginal delivery either but all sorts of issues related to pregnancy, delivery, c sections, breastfeeding and pumping - literally no medical professional gives a shit. What other sort of major abdominal surgery doesn't even have a follow up with a consultant afterwards to make sure everything is okay?

Both my mother and grandmother had such severe prolapses that they eventually required hysterectomies. My mum had mesh and a few years later after constant problems developed terminal ovarian, peritoneal, bowel and stomach cancer. Still no idea whether there's any connection since no one is interested in looking into these things.

@QuentinSummers well done for going!! I'm super impressed! I have not quite managed to get my arse in gear yet but it's on my list I promise!

I'm handholding for you frog!

Thanks Quentin, I will bite the bullet and let you know when I've done it! Useful to have people to hold me to account

Twitter thread highlighting this, replies also interesting:

twitter.com/kateclancy/status/948788429860605952

It seems like momentum is building... 🤞🏼

Tammy,

I gave birth 12 weeks ago and noticed a hard lump whilst in the shower in between my legs, kind of to the side of my vagina. Realised it was a hard poo! I pressed it up and it went away! Does this sound like a rectocele?
I've got a smear test appointment next week, will they be able to tell? Worried it's going to hurt too after reading PP. Haven't attempted sex so have had nothing go in there since pre birth.
This thread is eye opening. I used to suffer with some faecal incontinence when running before birth of DD2 but never considered it could be because of forceps delivery. My second birth was straightforward with no stitches so thought I was ok until I noticed this lump.

This thread has inspired me to set a reminder for 8am Monday to book a gp appointment and demand a referral to physio for what I think is a cystocele! It's been nearly 4 years since I last gave birth. I didn't know there was a window of opportunity where physio can help - can anyone tell me more about this?

sophie I don't know if they would mention it at your smear but maybe you should ask? An older relative of mine eventually went to the gyne about her prolapse and he was horrified she had coped with it for many years, she'd had smears in that time and it hasn't been mentioned.

mamaka I don't know about the window but good luck on Monday, let us know how you get on.

Thanks @QuentinSummers I will ask and see what they say

BBC are carrying a story today about care for women who have heart attacks is unequal too.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-42590013
Heart attack care dangerously unequal for women, study finds

Unsurprised.

Oh, totally unsurprised.

Women aren't believed when they report pain, or they're too stoic about it. A friend of mine nearly died of a burst appendix despite being in hospital at the time. Because she wasn't screaming and writhing in agony, the doctor decided it couldn't be appendicitis.

@SophieGiroux

My smear nurse said she did not know - not trained for that sort of thing - and told me which GP was best to see about it. She did have a bit of a poke around in the appropriate area for me, but could not feel anything.

What do people on here think about it being said that kidney stone pain is worse than the pain of labour? My stepdad takes great pleasure in telling me this as he has kidney stones. On other topics I can generally ignore him (can't argue with stupid) but this winds me up, knowing as I do that women's pain isn't taken seriously and having been through a very traumatic labour myself.

@Mamaka how can your stepdad possibly know?! He hasn't had labour pains so how can he compare, for goodness sake. A woman who had experienced both might give an opinion, but even then it depends on what her labour was like.

I'd just call him out on his deliberate unpleasantness and ask him why he's enjoying minimising the pain that you went through in labour. Ask him why it's important that he can say his pain was worse than yours.

You describe my experience totally. I am so sorry you are going through this too. Five years on from a forceps birth I am lost without being able to run, jump, shout or even move some days. 3rd degree tear means leakage after going to the toilet, so constantly feeling sore and dirty. Been told both front and back vaginal walls are lax but not enough to warrant surgery. Pelvic floor is reasonably strong, but still have massive problems. Sex after all this is a joke. I was 33 when this damage was done. No solutions available. Absolutely, 100%, a feminist issue. In my opinion worthy of chaining ourselves to railings again and going on hunger strike.