How long after Giving birth would you wait for prolapse surgery?
Posted , 9 users are following.
I recently had a pretty traumatic birth experience (wish I lived in the UK for women's birth rights - Australia is not kind to women when it comes to informed consent). I now have stage 3 bladder, bowel and uterus prolapse. I find out next week if the muscles have been torn from the bone and I'm praying it hasn't. I'm extremely self conscious and that's partly why I had elected not to try VBAC and have a C-Section but they made me have a VBAC after a spinal tap (I was on the operating table for my C-Section) and forceps (without consent) have done some pretty good damage. I was wondering if anyone had surgery repairs done quickly after the initial damage or if I should spend time in PT before getting it done. I know I want surgery as I honestly won't cope emotionally with this but don't want to rush it if it reduces the chances of it being successful.
0 likes, 26 replies
Mugrad1991 helen43286
Posted
I am sorry you went through such a horrible delivery. I, too, experienced a HORRIBLE forceps delivery with my first child. Was told I would never be able to have children again due to the damage that the doctor caused from the forceps. My husband and I desperately wanted one more so we went straight to artificial insemination to try to speed up pregnancy so that I could have another baby before the mandatory hysterectomy, cystocele, rectocele, urethrocele could be done. I conceived her on my 8th (and last) try. So thankful to God for both of my children.
I had a hysterectomy, and all the prolapse repairs (along with a total rebuilding of my pelvic floor) when my daughter was 2. That was 14 years ago. 4 years ago, I kept complaining that my TVT sling put in around my urethra was too tight and keeping me from being able to void well. I went back in and they took the sling out. Now, I am in need of all the repairs again as my doctor said repairs last an average of 14 years or so. I dread the surgery. It took me a good YEAR to feel back to normal again. I, too, am so upset over all these problems caused by the decision of one doctor who should have done a C section and didn't.
I did the PT as described above and that didn't help me much. I believe my muscles were torn from the walls. They had to suspend my bladder, urethra and rectum back up when they removed my uterus and cervix.
I wish you well and hope that you make the right decisions. Get a second opinion even. That surgery is no joke and don't do it unless you absolutely have to.
helen43286 Mugrad1991
Posted
Oh my goodness, that sounds so painful. I believe many doctors just believe that injuries to Mothers are just the norm. I was saying I don't want to do this and I had them lifting my legs up and saying it's better this way, Push like your having a big s**t. I had a room full of doctors and nurses telling me to push and I kept saying I don't want to do this. They didn't listen, then they whipped forceps out and said they are safe and I said I don't want those inside of me and they did it anyway. Mind you they shouldn't have needed to use them... the baby was not stressed! They should have just done the c section I had consented to and had planned for the entire pregnancy. Now because of them I'm a mess. I have never felt this low in my entire life. I can't believe they are telling woman that they are safe.
Did you have mesh? We can't have mesh in Australia.
peta46390 helen43286
Posted
Hi Helen
Really feeling for you. I join the long list of women destroyed by forceps deliveries. After a brutal first birth I delivered bladder bowel and uterus and a baby. My pelvic floor muscles were torn from bone too. Crawled around like a cat that had been run over trying to care for baby. Second baby pregnancy on the couch couldn’t keep uterus up. Another brutal birth that should have been c sectioned.
Lots of PT did nothing. Standing up destroyed me.
First repair after 2nd baby was two years old as I had no one to care for my two children. Hyster and A and P. PT still no improvement.
Second repair - SSF A & P perineum repair. PT still no improvement. Still could not stand after surgery without excessive internal dragging down.
Third repair - A & P and U sling. Now 16 weeks since op still can’t stand for more than about 10 minutes.
Prior to third repair 3Dand4D ultrasound showed pelvic floor muscles fully torn from bone so that was new tech providing unknown information and also makes me feel I will never be able to stand for more than a short while.
There is no surgery for repairing torn pelvic floor muscles I am told.
Every day I make decisions based on these limitations.
So for you, have 3D and 4D ultrasound (standing up) so specialist knows the extent of the damage before considering surgery. Also like me the surgery may make very little difference to your desired outcome.
You will need 4 months to recover - it is a long haul. With no bending lifting carrying limited standing and avoidance of sitting . This is a massive requirement for someone with little children.
Sorry for the long account
My heart goes out to you
Peta (Australia)
Kym04 peta46390
Posted
Oh my Lord Peta how sad 😢 And so many stories. The first I knew of my forceps delivery was the doctor putting on a white coat and wellies and telling me he was cutting me open to retrieve my stuck newborn. Why so many doctors against cesarean delivery I wonder? Hugs to u I hope u get better soon 😚
helen43286 peta46390
Posted
Oh my heart breaks for you! I will certainly be making sure they have those images before committing to surgery. I am praying my little heart out that it's not torn from the bone (not that I think a magically being like god will save me but hey you never know).
Oneday doctors will respect women's choice and inform them of increased risks. I will make it my mission here in Australia.
Thank you for sharing this with me.
peta46390 helen43286
Posted
I think it is terrible in 2018 that you were organised for a CS and they changed the procedure to one that is known to put the mother at high risk of lifelong damage.
As well as a woman’s choice the cause should include the banning of forceps!!
I am very grateful for my two children but I experience half a life every day as a result of a male obs. despite having a positive attitude to all the things that I can do. Feeling angry about it all doesn’t improve your situation.
The ultrasound will indicate the degree of prolapse in each compartment and the tearing. It must be taken with you in a horizontal and a vertical position. The more info you have the better placed you will be to make an informed decision. Even in relation to the timing.
Keep your spirits up you just need more information in the short term. Make that your initial goal!
Best wishes
Peta
helen43286 peta46390
Posted
Thanks Peta,
I hope oneday I can hit the positive attitude stage too.
2018 and still no informed consent rights in Australia, it's ridiculous and so sad for woman. I don't know a single person who would consent to forceps (unless it's a life or death situation) if they had of been told that there is such a high risk for permanent pelvic floor damage. They are still actively telling woman that they are safe, such a misrepresentation of the truth. I had never even discussed medical interventions for a vaginal delivery as I was assured I would be having a C-Section because of my previous C-Section I could choose and that's what I chose from my first OB appointment.
peta46390 helen43286
Posted
Your situation was different and you are entitled to feel however you feel as a result of it. I would not want to down play your situation or how you must be feeling with a “ get a positive attitude” response. That would be a terrible!
Peta