Sphincteroplasty Patients- C-section for future births?
I have been reading up on the other posts about those of us who had 4th degree tears during childbirth - and have had bowel issues since....
I have some control- and am trying to do exercises to make it better - I found a great website from the UK that explains exactly how to do them... I absolutly can not go through sphincteroplasty anytime soon--- maybe in a few years if the problem persists -- but after the horrible healing from childbirth - and hoping to have another baby in the next 2 years- I simply can't afford the time off of work (i'm on my feet all day so healing from that type of surgery would have me on disability for a long time).
If you had this problem (surgery or not) - did you have a c/s with your next birth? I am planning to ask my OB for an elective c/s with the next birth - I don't think she'll give me a fight... A colorectal surgeon friend of mine already suggested it to me- so I have "back up"
Just wanted to hear if you had one, or not- and how it effected your bowels, or if/when you ever found some relief with exercises or only surgery, etc.
I know a lot of the stories are in the other posts (part I-V) but looking more specifically for births after the inital damage was done.
Re: Sphincteroplasty Patients- C-section for future births?
Hi Gail,
Unfortunately, I don't think that anyone on the previous thread had children after the surgery. I know we have all talked about it, and most everyone would vote for a c-section. I finished having my children (3) before I had surgery. My Ob/gyn did say that I would have to have a c-section for any future births. My leaking issues definitly got worse with every pregnancy. My 4th degree tear was with my forst daughter, and 2 pregnancies later, I leaked horribly and decided to look into it further. Best of luck.
Re: Sphincteroplasty Patients- C-section for future births?
I know you posted this a while ago, so I don't know if you're still interested...but for what it's worth...after my 4th degree tear in 2002 it took me a long time to heal! I miscarried a baby in March 2006 and then had a baby in April 2007. It was C-Section!! I could not even fathom a vaginal birth! Although I know some have done it after a 4th degree tear, my Dr. told me that were I to rip to that extent again the damage may be un-repairable. (NOT a risk I was willing to take!)
I had reconstructive surgery in Nov. 2007. Sphincteroplasty and several other repairs. My surgeon has instructed me that I can NEVER have a vaginal birth now. He recommended not even having any more babies, but said that if I decided to that just carrying the baby only posed a small risk of doing damage to my repairs. I'm only 30, and more babies aren't a certainty but are a possibility and I won't hesitate to have one if we feel it is right for our family. Hope that helps.
Re: Sphincteroplasty Patients- C-section for future births?
Hi Gail
I had my 2nd child via c-section and am SO GLAD I did. The pain lasted 2 weeks, unlike the 10 or so months after the childbirth tear from my 1st baby. I waited to have a sphincteroplasty until after the c-section healed. I plan to have another baby within the next couple of years, and will DEFINITELY opt for a c-section. Any doctor who would not recommend a c-section when you already have incontinence or sphincter damage issues, is in my opinion, crazy!!!! Good luck! Jessica
Re: Sphincteroplasty Patients- C-section for future births?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jesscotta
Hi Gail
I had my 2nd child via c-section and am SO GLAD I did. The pain lasted 2 weeks, unlike the 10 or so months after the childbirth tear from my 1st baby. I waited to have a sphincteroplasty until after the c-section healed. I plan to have another baby within the next couple of years, and will DEFINITELY opt for a c-section. Any doctor who would not recommend a c-section when you already have incontinence or sphincter damage issues, is in my opinion, crazy!!!! Good luck! Jessica
Thanks, Jessica- glad to hear your c/s went much better!! I am 100% planning to have a c/s with our next child (if we are blessed with another- I am 35 and have PCOS)...
i have good weeks and bad weeks with my sphincter muscles- if i remember to do kegals it helps for sure.... the thought of going through the reconstructive surgery makes me shiver --- perhaps one day when my kids are much older and i would be able to take the time off of work- and be able to truly relax while healing... unlike dealing with a baby.
fortunately i don't have urinary incontinence- which many of my friends have who didn't even tear! i'm lucky with that i guess! lol
thanks again- it make me feel good to know that other women in my situation were able to find something to make pregnancy/birth easier... i know a c/s can be hard to heal from, too- but i'll take my chances!!
