Postpartum Incontinence - Page 2

[texmati]

This is terrifying ot me. How could this be????-- I was only in labor for 12 hrs (maybe even less), and pushed for maybe an hour and ahalf. The birth didn't seem traumatic in any way.

Originally Posted by A&A 

Sounds like you could have a fistula.  If so, it won't fix itself. 

Originally Posted by Mama2Xander 

That sounds pretty concerning to me, especially with your tearing you mentioned in the other post. Being "constantly wet" is not normal, and your tear will not be able to heal like that. I would insist on being evaluated asap, and if your doctor doesn't listen to you, get a second opinion. As a PP mentioned, I really think you need to make sure you don't have a fistula. I know that sounds scary, but if you do have a fistula or other injury, it can be repaired. Sometimes if an injury to the anterior vaginal wall is very minor it can heal up on its own if a catheter is kept in place to drain the urine straight from the bladder, so that it is not constantly irritating the torn area. 

[texmati]

Originally Posted by etsdtm99 

I had some bladder issues PP .. they weren't the same as yours, i'm not sure what was wrong.. but i was about 3 weeks pp when i ended up with a UTI and finally totally broke down about it.. i was leaking pee, leaking at weird times (like just standing there right after i had gone), either feeling like i had to go all the time or not at all the symptoms changed every few days the first few weeks..  everything i read online when something new started happening said it was not normal and that i would likely deal with it for a long time and i was just so uncomfortable .. yet when i saw my midwife at 6 weeks  i was pretty much normal...  whatever was wrong resolved itself ..  so, while i was not wanting to just wait - just waiting worked, i guess that is what i'm saying.. while in your case it might be good to rule out other issues sooner, time is a very hopeful thing and maybe all those stories on the internet are about the people who didn't get better and there are other silent people who do/did?  (and i did go see a dr. about my issues due to the uti at 3 wks, and other than that they said to wait til my 6 week pp visit and see if it was better )  

Originally Posted by Banana731 

Do you think it's possible that you might have a UTI, since you got the cath, it might be part of the problem. You could treat yourself for that while you are trying to find someone to see. Cranberry concentrate capsules, there's s certainly no harm in that.  Maybe even some uva ursi?

I don't feel like it's a UTI; but I'll start on the cranberry juice just in case. I really, really hope that this resolves itself. I thought having a vbac was a safer option with an easier recovery-- I"m almost regretting that decision now.

[wolfmom]

Hugs to you texmati! I know how stressful and scary this is. I also have had some bouts with stress incontinence but I would venture to say that the catheter that you had may be largely to blame. With my first I had this problem (not quite as bad as what you are describing, but definately the same feeling) and he was the only one I had a catheter with. The catheter dilates your urethra (tube from your bladder out) and it can take some time for your body to readjust. Also, some people have a smaller/narrower urethra but the catheter is usually one standard size for adults and it could be that you got dilated more that normal. 

I would try to stay as dry as possible by peeing frequently, rinsing well after, and changing your pad frequently. You can get checked out for a fistula but also be patient with yourself and know that you are not anywhere near completely healed from your birth and things with change so much over the next few weeks. It takes a while to recover even from a good vaginal birth so don't be so hard on yourself. You will probably feel much better even in another week or so! Kiss your baby and smile as much as possible and don't do anything you don't have to physically. I hope all goes well with you!

[Onkiekat]

I don't have any advice, but I want to say I am sorry! This really stinks :( I would demand to see a dr ASAP if I were you.

[scottishmommy]

Originally Posted by texmati 

I didn't talk to the doctor but  I sure will on monday. I can't belive I just took, sorry nothing we can do, as an answer. If there really isn't anything they can do, then he should tell me that to my face.

I have good insurance, and could probably see most anyone, but I don't know who. I feel like I've bounced ob's so much-- I transfered care to this guy late in my pregnancy in hopes of getting vbac. I feel very little faith in him that he can help me with this issue. I liked my previous provider better, but she seemed to have little experience with vbacs. Even then.... how can I find someone who is an expert in this problem without even knowing what the problem is?

And just to get it out there because I'm so horrified by it, today my 7 day old newborn slept from 3am to 7am. I just fell asleep as well-- when I got up I peed buckets on myself for what felt like 5 minutes. absolutely no warning, and no way of stopping myself. I can't live like this. Other than this issue, my recovery is going great.

I'd skip your OBGYN and get an appointment with a urogynocologist. It's probably just temporary, but it sounds like you have some pretty bad nerve damage. The sooner you get treatment the better. I'm sorry you are going through this. I had the same problem and it was so humiliating! I hope everything gets sorted out soon.

[tjjazzy]

*hugs* mama. i had incontinence after ds2 (and a slew of other problems but i have probs with my bladder anyway) and it did improve. it's awful and embarassing and sucks big time. that said, i used an "everyday liner", not a pad, to take care of the problem so it might be worth looking into. also, it got worse with every UTI or bladder infection (i had one every single month until i FINALLY found a med to work for me) so that's worth looking into as well. however, i know a lot of women who still leak now and then and i have been told that there is a medication for it if it doesn't go away completely. have it looked into further if it seems abnormal but like a PP said, it takes 10 months to get the baby in there and it takes time to heal up after. my body seems to take about 1.5 years to get back to normal after having my little ones.

[GoBecGo]

Texmati! :(  Massive hugs to you lady!  

I have very fast births (5mins pushing with DD1 though she was crowning before i began to push, 6mins with DD2 and that was from 0 station to out!) and persistent OA babies (neither turned to deliver their shoulders and instead came out with them side to side).  After DD1 for about 10 days i would just flood urine without any warning.  My MW told me that it was likely that my bladder was "shocked and numbed" by the suddenness of the baby passing it.  For me that seemed to be true, by 14days PP i had some warning (i.e. i was thinking "i need to pee?" when it ran down my leg instead of having no clue), by 8 weeks i was mostly back to normal, and by 4months i was completely back to normal.  I was RELIGIOUS about my PF exercises though, and bought a little plastic resistance device to help (i should really be using it now!).

After DD2 i have a rectocele, but my GP told me it's not severe and we need to wait and see if it heals, since he feels the fascia is stretched, not torn.  I was not happy to hear this (felt like my BM was trying to come out of my vagina whenever i went - sorry, TMI, but there it is!) but to be fair i'm nearly 8months PP now and he's right, it doesn't seem happen any more.  After DD2 i also had incontinence issues.  I found them totally humiliating and so so disheartening.  Just miserable.  But again, they resolved mostly within weeks and completely within months.

I know you probably don't want to read "months" when it comes to this sort of issue, but the reality is that the recovery from pregnancy and birth (vaginal or surgical) takes years to be complete.  Please please give yourself time.  I really hope your Ob starts listening to you, or you find someone who will.  I second the recommendation to get checked for a fistula (if you can locate your own urethra you should be able to feel if it's coming from there or the vagina or both - maybe a mirror could help?) JIC.  Hang on, things WILL improve.

[texmati]

so I did see the ob today (after waiting for hours!) and was happy that he took me seriously. I found out that I do have a UTI. OB said that it could be a vicious cycle where the incontinence caused the uti, but the uti was keeping me from recovering sensation. He didn't sound too convinced, but I'm still hoping that that was what happened.

[tjjazzy]

i'm glad you got an answer!!

[SGVaughn]

Originally Posted by scottishmommy 





I'd skip your OBGYN and get an appointment with a urogynocologist. It's probably just temporary, but it sounds like you have some pretty bad nerve damage. The sooner you get treatment the better. I'm sorry you are going through this. I had the same problem and it was so humiliating! I hope everything gets sorted out soon.

 not to pry but did you see a urogynocologist and was it helpful??

 Ive had problems for almost 15 years now...after this baby Im done having babies and would like to address it...

sorry to thread hijack

[scottishmommy]

Originally Posted by SGVaughn 

 not to pry but did you see a urogynocologist and was it helpful??

 Ive had problems for almost 15 years now...after this baby Im done having babies and would like to address it...

sorry to thread hijack

Yes I did, and I am so happy about it. My advice would be to do a little research first to make sure you're going to a forward thinking one.

[SGVaughn]

Originally Posted by scottishmommy 





Yes I did, and I am so happy about it. My advice would be to do a little research first to make sure you're going to a forward thinking one.

thank you so much for answering...

I think in this one area of medicine my choices are very limited...ie: I had never heard of anything beyond a regular "urologist" until this and was in fact referred to one who repaired a testicular rupture on my husband from a motorcycle accident excellently..but somehow seemed wrong for my needs?

I've had problems since I was 20....Im now 33 and it seems to be a mixed issue because kegels arent the issues ya know?

[Cind12]

Hi, I know this post is SO old but I am hoping to reach you! I recently had my 3rd child via c-section. For the 1st time ever I am leaking urine just like you we're, not related to sneezing or coughing but just at times I am standing or sitting and don't even have to go to the bathroom. This didn't start until about last week---6 weeks postpartum already!! Did your problem get better?? I'm completely disgusted with,yield and cry about it. Help!!!

[Dmitrizmom]

I too know this is an old thread... For those who are looking for solutions... See you you can get a referral to a physical therapist who is trained to deal with incontinence issues - I finally had had it the end of this summer with leaks. Went and saw one and she was amazingly helpful. 
 

[texmati]

Cind12, it got better-- so, so, so much better. It did take a while, but it did get better. My daughter is 2 now, and I don't think too much about it now. It's a terrible thing to have happen, and I still don't really know why it did happen, but I am better know.