Incontinence

I had a 3rd degree tear with my first child due to a forcep delivery and had the same problems as you. It took me a whole year to completely recover. I had a hard time holding in gas & urine when I sneezed. The urine fixed itself on it's own over time, but I still had a problem with gas & extremely painful intercourse months after my daughter was born. When my daughter was eight months old, I went back to my OB & told her what was up and she told me I needed physical therapy. I didn't really think that it would help....but it did. The therapist really helped me to rebuild my strength in my pelvic muscles. If it continues for a little longer, go ask your doc about pelvic floor physical therapy. It works wonders!!!!

Yes, I had fecal/gas incontinence after the birth of my daughter. I had a second degree tear as well, with a very long stitch-up (after an hour plus of pushing!). I was very embarrassed since I thought the incontinence just couldn't be normal. I'd have to rush to the bathroom when needing to BM, but also had a hard time with the feelings down there in knowing that everything was 'out'. For a while, I would kind of 'leak' a little bit (fecally), which was more of my problem (and embarrassment) than the need-to-go-now feeling. My OB told me it was normal, as did some of my friends. Unfortunately, these were the things they DON'T tell you about childbirth :)

Yes, it did get better, and I don't have the leak problem any more (I'm 10 months postpartum). While I still have to use the bathroom soon after I get the urge, it's nowhere near immediate, and I can hold it longer. Gas is sometimes hard to hold, but I think it's getting better too. I tried Kegels as well, but I can't do them well on a good day, so I gave up. Fortunately, things went back to 'normal' after a little while. I can't remember exactly when I noticed a change, as it was gradual, but I would say after 3 months I wasn't leaking any longer.

Hope that this helps - and congratulations on your new little bundle :)

When I gave birth to my first he came out with one arm over his head. I had an episiotomy and tearing on top of that, and a lot of stitches. It took a while for me to be able to hold my urine all the way when I sneezed or laughed real hard. It was hard to hold my gas, and had some problems with bowels as well. The Bowel and gas issue was normal within a month, it took years for me to not leak when I sneezed, and I am just now getting full sensation back in that area (son is turning 7), but will always be numb right along the scar line.

It can take a couple of weeks to recover. But have you had any other issues like fever or more bleeding? Those things require more attention. Did you have hemorrhoids during your pregnancy those nasty buggers will prolong the recovery. I would say give it another 10 ten days and if you still do not have more control then see your reg doc. Congrats on number two and good luck!
J. O

So sorry to hear you're going through this. Yes, physical therapy can definitely help. You might need to wait a few more weeks to heal, but you can contact a pelvic floor specialist in your area and ask, then start as soon as they say it's OK. Here's a link to help you find a PT with special training in pelvic floor PT.

http://pelvicrehab.com/directory.aspx

Good luck, and congratulations on your little one!