Incontinence and multiple pregnancy

[Cakes]

I just read an interesting article on prolapse, urinary and anal incontinence and multilple pregnancy. I found it in "The National Organization of Mothers of Twins Notebook". It states that incontinency and prolapse can be a residual problem in a multiple pregnancy. More so then in a singleton pregnancy.

I personally have had a difficult time with anal incontinency and none of my care providers (OB, Midwife, Endocrinologost, PCP) seemed to feel it was related to the pregnancy. Can I hear a big "DUH" from the crowd????

As an aside............... why is it I can find this stuff but the medical community can't??? I just want to scream!!!!!! I had a hard time bringing it up at an appointment (due to the embarrassing nature of the topic) and then to be told it was not pregnancy or delivery related only to find out 19 mos later that it is. What are my careproviders reading??? People Magazine.........I thought those magazines were for the patients. OK I am done with my aside.

The problem started shortly after delivery of my twins. I initially thought it was a lactose intolerance and eliminated all dairy from my diet. This seemed to help a little but did not solve the problem. Upon reading the article a light went on in my head and all made sense. I have problems with gas and streaking.

According to the article anal inconinence affects 27% of multiple mothers and can take up to 12 years to show itself. The article stresses that incontinency is not age related.

Anal incontinence is described as
"... leakage of stool (liquid, solid or both) and flatal leakage (intestinal gas), and urgency of stool ("I've got to go now")."

The article states the symptoms can lessen over time and that has been somewhat true for me. However I am not completely "cured".

I am wondering if anyone else has this problem and what you have heard or done as far as a solution.

Thanks Julianne

PS I apologize in advance to anyone that read the post and was offended. I am looking for information and my intent was not to offend. I realize the subject matter may not be very "clean". :blush

[Tigerchild]

Julianne,

Have you ever considered another problem causing this, such as IBS? I can totally see why multiple pregnancy, with its various stresses on the body, would be a factor...but I also know there are many other things that can cause stool incontinence (mild or severe) and some are far more easily corrected than others.

I also know that there are very few doctors other than specialists who know very much about IBS or other similar things either...it can make dealing with that problem all the more hard, because everyone seems clueless.

While I've not had an extended period dealing with that, I did have a bout of 'spastic colon' (I don't think that was correct though, since it went away) as a teen, and something similar again shortly after a miscarriage. It's hard to describe how terrifying it is to get hit with intestinal pain and utter fear of losing control...even when I know everything's okay, my experiences from those two times give me a pretty big fear of travelling anywhere where I do not have ready access to a bathroom. I've discovered some strategies for dealing with it though, and I did have myself checked out, with no evidence of a 'serious' problem.

So, I can definitely empathize. If it's really getting to be a problem or a fear, can you get access to a specialist? You wouldn't want this to be something serious...and even if there is no acute underlying cause, a specialist will probably have some kind of options to offer you and not blow you off.

[emmaline]

Julianne - anal incontinence is only recently beginning to get the attention it deserves as a problem encountered in connection with pregnancy and childbirth.

I can't say if your problem is bowel related or comes from damage to the anal sphincter or pelvic floor muscles - a proper examination by someone qualified to diagnose this wou;ld help (might be a colorectal specialist or even a urogynaecologist) - but if it is related to pelvic floor muscle damage or weakness from your pregnancy and/or birth then doing kegels just as you would for urinary incontinence will help

http://www.wfubmc.edu/besthealth/ency/article/003975.htm
has a little useful info

[laralou]

Wow, Julianne. It never occurred to me that this all could be related. I have it too, but I don't have any solutions.

[angie6]

I noticed during all my pregnancies the I need to go now phase and sometimes even now. I have noticed though increased gas. My older kids make fun of me but I can not help it. I notice it is when I eat something sweet (candy, ice cream, cake, etc.). I used to never be this way but I used to never eat very many sweets either. Have you thought about it corresponding to anything dietary?
I agree with above I would get it checked out by a specialist if you are very concerned and do not feel as if you are being taken seriously.
Angie:)