5 months postpartum with pain

[heather76]

Hi everyone - I'm new here and looking for some help or advice . . . anything I can get. I gave birth 5 months ago to a beautiful boy. I had a 3 degree tear with an episiotomy and a vacuum assisted birth. I'm experiencing pain in my vaginal area and the best way I can describe it is . . . well, it feels like I've got a golf ball up in there !! My husband and I have yet to have sex because it seems that I've also got scar tissue that I need to manually stretch out. Also, I seem to leak the tiniest bit of stool on a daily basis. None of it ends up in my underwear, but when I urinate I'll also wipe my rear end and there is always a little stool on the toilet paper. My midwife checked me and says it doesn't seem like I have a rectocele, but there is this pressure on my vagina and I'm not sure how else to fix it. I'm constantly aware of it. I feel it when I bend over, when I'm walking, sitting, and exercising seems to be out of the question. Can anyone help or anyone experienced similar issues? I would be sooooo grateful.

[Super~Single~Mama]

This is kinda old, but did your midwife look for a prolapse? She should examine you while you squat ideally.

Also, I wouldn't give up on finding out! If your midwife doesn't see anything, go to a different one, or seek out an OB. Leaking stool doesn't sound normal to me (but what do I know), and I would make sure to do what you can to find answers!

I'm sorry you're having problems, I hope you find some answers, and soon!!

[OHmidwife]

I'd get a second opinion. The "golf ball" feeling makes me think of one possible (though uncommon) complication I have seen- a vaginal abscess.

From an online description:

"An abscess is a small collection of pus (that yellowish-white fluid, which consists of dead cells, tissue, and other stuff, that you might see when you pop a zit) that has formed as a result of your body fighting off a localized infection in your body's tissue. These infections can be caused by bacteria, foreign material, or other microorganisms.

An abscess in the vaginal opening is called a "Bartholin's Abscess" (or "Bartholin's Cyst"), named after the gland located in that area. It is important that you see a doctor if you have a lump around the opening of your vagina that is painful, does not improve in a few days, and/or is accompanied by fever. Treatment can resolve the abscess and relieve the pain and discomfort associated with this condition."

I'm not saying this is what you have, but it wouldn't hurt to be checked for this and other possibilities.

Also, a rectocele should not cause stool leakage! Certainly, doing kegals isn't going to hurt, but you should consider having your repair re-evaluated by a specialist- someone who was NOT at your birth. (Or at least, not the person who did the suturing.)

Also, you might want to repost your original question in the "childbirth professionals" section here. You might get some more useful advice.
Good luck! Please report back.

[Kalea's Mommy]

I too leaked stool after having a fourth degree tear. I had developed a recto-vaginal fistula. They didn't see it initially but the did evenually find it. The stitches had broken down in two places causng pain and leakage. I was first just passing gas but then finally passing stool(tiny bit). I would seek a second opinion. Here I am 5 years later still with pain and looking for answers from an OBGYN.
I hope you find some relief soon!!