TMI question for midwife???

1055 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by moonmama22, Aug 13, 2006

moonmama22

Discussion Starter · Aug 10, 2006

I had my ds two years ago, in a hospital, after being induced, and because his shoulder was stuck, they ended up using a vacuum extractor after I pushed for almost three hours. I ended up with a pretty severe 3rd degree tear, and have thought that I might have ended up with a fistula as a result. I often have air pass through my vagina, although it seems to have gotten less as time goes by. My gyn just checked me today, and said I have almost no scar tissue or any signs of a severe tear, and she could not see any evidence of a fistula, but that sometimes the vagina is stretched during childbirth, and could take time to return to normal. My question is - after two years could it still just be that? I do not have any stool pass through, which was cause for her to say I probably did not have a fistula then. Also, if it is that small that it is not noticeable, and there is no stool passing, would it be worth it to look further into surgery, etc... Is there anything else I can try? Any homeopathic/natural healing remedy to try? Any information or advice would be very appreciated... Sorry for the TMI and so many questions.
Thanks to anyone who has any answers...

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guestmama9924

· #2 · Aug 10, 2006

not tmi. yes, you can have a small one, and it might be higher up.
you should be doing super kegals, that can help with air, although honestly that is a universal complaint! ( inverted yoga positions in class are a hoot for a room full of moms...)
Ok, so IF you have another baby, you will be open and very stretchy. Have the MW do a really good look for any thin areas or holes that will be more visable RIGHT after birth. Have her stitch everything as if it was a tear ( even if you don't have one). Talk to her about it. The midwife I work with has done this very successfully at homebirths.
Also, since you are still nursing, you are not producing as much estrogen which can help heal the tissues. YOu can ask about a estrogen cream for the vagina, and like I said DO YOUR KEGALS!

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Pandora114

· #3 · Aug 10, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonmama22
I had my ds two years ago, in a hospital, after being induced, and because his shoulder was stuck, they ended up using a vacuum extractor after I pushed for almost three hours. I ended up with a pretty severe 3rd degree tear, and have thought that I might have ended up with a fistula as a result. I often have air pass through my vagina, although it seems to have gotten less as time goes by. My gyn just checked me today, and said I have almost no scar tissue or any signs of a severe tear, and she could not see any evidence of a fistula, but that sometimes the vagina is stretched during childbirth, and could take time to return to normal. My question is - after two years could it still just be that? I do not have any stool pass through, which was cause for her to say I probably did not have a fistula then. Also, if it is that small that it is not noticeable, and there is no stool passing, would it be worth it to look further into surgery, etc... Is there anything else I can try? Any homeopathic/natural healing remedy to try? Any information or advice would be very appreciated... Sorry for the TMI and so many questions.
Thanks to anyone who has any answers...

Kegels Kegels kegels. There are acctual weights you can use to help out your pelvic floor.

It might not be a fistula, just some air workin it's way up there...usually during intercourse....squatting or whatever...

And there is no such thing as a TMI Q for a Midwife

//Queen of TMI
///Not a Midwife
///Doesn't even play one on TV/Intrewebs

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Carolinamidwife

· #4 · Aug 11, 2006

Yeah, unfortunately air in the vag is kind of common after childbirth. You should hear some of the mamas I know talking about the sounds they make during yoga class.

As a PP mentioned kegel is the cure. Look it up because good kegeling is more than just squeezing, there are methods to make it more effective.

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hippiemom

· #5 · Aug 11, 2006

Might be worth it too to see a specialist, holisitic and medical, for a closer/better exam? Esp if you are repeatedly uncomfortable and if you are contemplating another baby.

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lorijds

· #6 · Aug 12, 2006

Many physical therapists are now specializing in women's health, particularly pelvic health. They canreally work with you to help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.

Lori

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mwherbs

· #7 · Aug 12, 2006

probably not a fistula not even higher up-
passing air through the vagina is --deleted term--- it is fairly common.
- many women I know have done this some more often than others-- I have done it as well. We use to tell women who have yeast infections to open themselves deliberately and suck air in - and that would have to be expelled and would make a sound..

probably you can do kegels and it might help but I don't think that after giving birth your tissues will ever be exactly the same as before you have had a baby- hormones alone have effects on the tissues.

take care

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Individuation

· #8 · Aug 13, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwherbs
passing air through the vagina is called queef (ing) it is fairly common.
(several entries on the urban dictionary if you want to look) I thought it was spelled quirthing- but guess i was wrong--

Wow.

Ummm...It may be "urban" and all that, but I've never heard anyone but really foul-mouthed types use this word... a little informal survey of the people in my house right now (and we're laid-back GenX college students, btw) came up with the response that the word is mean, gross and about the same level as c*nt.

Seriously. I have only ever heard very young, very misogynist frat-guy types use this word in the midst of obscenity-filled drunken posturing. Are sensitive, aware, feminist mamas using it now?

To each their own, I guess, still I wouldn't suggest to the OP that this is anything remotely resembling a medical term. And if this is a word we're "reclaiming," I think I'll pass.

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guestmama9924

· #9 · Aug 13, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by halalove
:
Seriously. I have only ever heard very young, very misogynist frat-guy types use this word in the midst of obscenity-filled drunken posturing. Are sensitive, aware, feminist mamas using it now?

why is it foul? what other word is used to describe air passing out of the vagina? many women are concerned about the air, and some even find it uncomfortable. Embarrassement during exercise, sex, and so forth make it a definite topic for discussion between a woman and her midwife or friends. It is nothing to be embarrassed by and therefore the words used to describe it are reclaimed, not obscene.

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CEG

· #10 · Aug 13, 2006

Well, I had to look because I can't imagine what would be TMI for a midwife, LOL

I don't know medically, but I wanted to add that I have experienced this a lot more since having kids. Especially during sex. I usually just tell DH it's his fault and we laugh and go on, although it is a little embarrassing. Best wishes to you!
ETA: I had a 2nd degree tear and a mild (if such a thing exists) shoulder dystocia, so it may be a simialr thing.

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mwherbs

· #11 · Aug 13, 2006

doesn't have to mean anything foul- and maybe your gen has taken it there-- it is a term I have heard for alteast 30 years and it was just used to mean the air that comes out of a vagina- either during sex or during movement-- did not mean to be offensive.
sorry again.......it is common to do this and if you have another name please tell me.

I guess you could call it
Vaginal flatulence - but it shouldn't have a gassy smell and isn't really flatulence in that sense-

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moonmama22

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 13, 2006

Hey - thanks everyone - I appreciate all the responses - and I certainly wasn't offended by that certain term that was so controversial. I never really realized it was a word that would really be offensive to anyone - that really caught me off guard. Anyway - thanks again - it was all really helpful.

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