Epi & the bowels.....

I have a question for those who have had an epi....

Were you able to control your bowels??? Or did you find that when you had to go, you had to go and couldn't stop it from happening?? I had my baby with an epi 3 weeks ago and I am finding it hard to stop myself from going (so I can get to the toilet on time). And I am concerned that this is going to be a problem for me. I will be asking when I go in for my 6 week check up, but until then I am really freaked out that I will not be able to go anywhere for very long, especially if there is no bathroom close by. :(

*P.s - yep I have been doing some kegels*

I felt the exact same way and still do at times. I just made sure that I did lots of pelvic floor excercises and it seems to be much better now. I am sure it will get better with time but best to double check with your Dr as you said ;)

Did you have an epidural or an episiotomy?

I had this problem for a while after my first birth - very long and hard induced labour with a 2nd degree tear (my bub was born with an arm and a tangle of cord up around her large head). It was like I couldn't tell the bowel motion was coming until I absolutely had to drop everything and run! I never discussed this with my (hopeless) doctor, but it did get better over several months. I later discussed this with a friend who had the same problem (but worse than me) and her dr said it was nerve damage from the birth. She had some treatment for it but I can't remember what. Definitely discuss this with your doctor and don't feel like you have to wait for the 6 week check up if it's bothering you before then.

I had both an Epidural and an Episiotomy. Sorry I didn't clarify that. It's not a problem for me yet as I have been home, I am just concerned for when I do go out that it will be a problem for me then. I asked the midwives when they called me at home to check up and they said that it's normal and just to keep doing the excersises. So I will keep doing them till my check up and if it still doesn't feel right, hopefully I will get someone who knows what they're talking about who can fix it!

Thanks for your replies ladies :)

Cherii, for the first 6 weeks or so after the birth your perineum and pelvic floor are still healing. You will probably also find that you can't stop your urine mid-stream atm. This will definitely improve for you. It is possible that you could have other damage, but I wouldn't worry too much at it yet. See how you go in a few weeks time. If you are still having trouble at the 3 month mark, I recommend seeing a physio who specialises in women/post-partum (there are some around).

And I totally agree, remember your PFE, but go easy with them in the first 6 weeks. Do them, but not too many reps and start by doing them lying down, then ease into doing them sitting/standing.

I am having the same problem. I had an epi and a forcep delivery. I am so scared to leave the house because I am afraid that I will have an accident!! For the most part I have been okay, but there was one time that I didn't make it to the bathroom and I have had so much anxiety since then. I looked up bowel incontience and what I read really scared me, because it said that sometime surgery is needed to correct it. I really hope that things get better, because it is making me really depressed and I'm too embarrassed to explain to my boyfriend why I don't want to go anywhere =(

Anybody know of anything to do that can help? How do you do pelvic floor exercises? Is it kegels?

I didn't have any incontinence when I wasn't on the toilet, but as soon as I was sitting on the toilet everything just came out instantly, that lasted only the first 2 days. By day 3 I was constipated which IMO was worse coz I had to strain but was trying so hard not to.

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I am having the same problem. I had an epi and a forcep delivery. I am so scared to leave the house because I am afraid that I will have an accident!! For the most part I have been okay, but there was one time that I didn't make it to the bathroom and I have had so much anxiety since then. I looked up bowel incontience and what I read really scared me, because it said that sometime surgery is needed to correct it. I really hope that things get better, because it is making me really depressed and I'm too embarrassed to explain to my boyfriend why I don't want to go anywhere =(

Anybody know of anything to do that can help? How do you do pelvic floor exercises? Is it kegels?

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Well you are not alone sparklesoul!!! Not that that helps us in anyway :( I haven't had any close calls yet, but I am afraid as well that it will happen and it will happen when I am out of the house and can't do anything about it. So I am scared to go out for long periods of time too. As far as I am aware, Kegels are pelvic floor excersises. To do kegels/pelvic excersises, you first identify those muscles with trying to stop your urine mid stream, once you know what muscles they are you just repeat this excersise when lying down or standing up. Thats basically it. You should be able to look it up on the internet for a better explanation. HTH.

Ladies, don't get scared, just get out there and do something about it. Your doctor should be able to refer you to an incontinence nurse and/or women's physio who will be able to teach you how to do the pelvic floor exercises properly (cos sometimes we think we're doing them right but we're not). Seriously, don't fret, just talk to your GP. The sooner you do it the sooner you'll be on the road to recovery!

Also it might help to work out when you usually open your bowels - since that way you can work out what time you can get out and about without fear of an accident...either that, or wait until you've been to the toilet then go out (that's what I used to do in the early weeks) ;).