I get so scared as I went to a UroGYN. She did not do colostomy or sphincteroplasty for me.
Did you take any legal action ?
I am not active yet as I am scared.
Therapy is internal. So basically the therapist massages and relaxes you. I think budronnie [ another person in this post with this problem] is going through it as well. Check with your doctor.
What was your birth story if you don't mind sharing ? Mine was not pleasant as every step was induced. I wonder why they did not do a c-section. I get angry and feel like taking legal action. I live in Massachusetts
Did you take any legal action ?
I am not active yet as I am scared.
Therapy is internal. So basically the therapist massages and relaxes you. I think budronnie [ another person in this post with this problem] is going through it as well. Check with your doctor.
What was your birth story if you don't mind sharing ? Mine was not pleasant as every step was induced. I wonder why they did not do a c-section. I get angry and feel like taking legal action. I live in Massachusetts
This was in addition to what I already wrote above-I wanted to give more detail:
successful RVF repair? I have had an ileostomy for @ 5 months now and still waiting for X-Rays to determine success~ I have about two more weeks to go.
I was not induced. MY labor was very normal and natural. I starting having contractions at 3:30 am, went to the hospital at 7:30 am and was 4-5 cm dilated when I got there. I had my son at 2:33 pm that day. I pushed for 30 minutes and did not have any assistance at all. The nurse kept massaging my perineum and said that I was 'small' , meaning the space between my vagina and rectum was 'shorter than normal'. I wonder if this is why I ended up with the RVF. I did not think anything was wrong because my baby came out fine and it didn't seem like a problematic labor. They told me I suffered a 3rd degree tear along with episiotomy. When I was evaluated a week later by a colorectal surgeon he determined it was a 4th degree tear with a large fistula. My baby was 7 lb 15 oz, so not abnormally large.
I was (am) very angry as well about the outcome, especially when RVF is so rare in the US (0.1%). My husband and father looked into legal action last spring ( I was not in the right state of mind to worry about that). We did not proceed with any action after that. I think it would have been very difficult to prove that the OB was the cause (even though I really feel that she was negligent). I did not have it in me to proceed. I already was dealing with enough. Having a colostomy for 9months was also emotionally difficult. My baby was 4 weeks old when I had the surgery and we traveled 3 hours to see the doctor. We spent so much time in hotels/hospitals and traveling with our little one. Thank God for my family and amazing husband. I feel for anyone who has to deal with this. It's supposed to be an amazing time in a woman's life and I do feel cheated from the full experience. I try to stay positive, though, and think about the people out there who have it worse. At least my baby is healthy and happy and I have a wonderful supportive husband.
Stay strong!
gogi-rao wrote:
I was (am) very angry as well about the outcome, especially when RVF is so rare in the US (0.1%). My husband and father looked into legal action last spring ( I was not in the right state of mind to worry about that). We did not proceed with any action after that. I think it would have been very difficult to prove that the OB was the cause (even though I really feel that she was negligent). I did not have it in me to proceed. I already was dealing with enough. Having a colostomy for 9months was also emotionally difficult. My baby was 4 weeks old when I had the surgery and we traveled 3 hours to see the doctor. We spent so much time in hotels/hospitals and traveling with our little one. Thank God for my family and amazing husband. I feel for anyone who has to deal with this. It's supposed to be an amazing time in a woman's life and I do feel cheated from the full experience. I try to stay positive, though, and think about the people out there who have it worse. At least my baby is healthy and happy and I have a wonderful supportive husband.
Stay strong!
gogi-rao wrote:
macrmf wrote:
I got the RVF after having my baby on Feb 2 2006. I noticed signs of the fistula one week after he was born. I had a 3rd degree tear with episiotomy. I went to a colorectal surgeon and he said that he could put his finger right through it. He said that a colostomy would be the most reasonable option for me since it was so large. I had the colostomy March 2nd, 2006 until Dec 14, 2006. I tried having sex for the first time on Jan 14th, 2006. I didn't feel discomfort during intercourse, but irritation of the perineum afterward. It's frustrating....
I also had an overlapping sphincteroplasty to repair my damaged sphincter muscles. Fortunately I don't have any problems with going to the bathroom.
I was never advised to have physical therapy for anything. What are you required to do in therapy?
I get so scared as I went to a UroGYN. She did not do colostomy or sphincteroplasty for me.
Did you take any legal action ?
I am not active yet as I am scared.
Therapy is internal. So basically the therapist massages and relaxes you. I think budronnie [ another person in this post with this problem] is going through it as well. Check with your doctor.
What was your birth story if you don't mind sharing ? Mine was not pleasant as every step was induced. I wonder why they did not do a c-section. I get angry and feel like taking legal action. I live in Massachusetts
I HAD MY SON MARCH 2006 . THE DOCTORS USED A VACCUM AND I HAD A FOURTH DEGREE RIP. AND REQUIRED SEVERAL STITCHES.
I STILL TO THIS DAY HAVE RECTO VAGINAL FISTULA AND HAVE HAD TWO SURGERYS TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THEY BOTH HAVE FAILED. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT IF I WANT TO HAVE MORE CHILDREN IN THE FUTURE THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A C-SECTION.
THIS IS A VERY FRUSTRATING THING TO HAVE TO EXPERIENCED AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A FINAL REPAIR SURGERY TO FIX THIS.
THE DOCTORS SHOULDVE KNOW THAT THE VAGINAL OPENING WASNT LARGE ENOUGH TO EVEN USE THE VACCUM ANS THEY SHOULDVE DELIVERED MY SON THROUGH C-SECTION BECAUSE OF THAT BUT INSTEAD THE DOCTORS WENT AHEAD .
I STILL TO THIS DAY HAVE RECTO VAGINAL FISTULA AND HAVE HAD TWO SURGERYS TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THEY BOTH HAVE FAILED. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT IF I WANT TO HAVE MORE CHILDREN IN THE FUTURE THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A C-SECTION.
THIS IS A VERY FRUSTRATING THING TO HAVE TO EXPERIENCED AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A FINAL REPAIR SURGERY TO FIX THIS.
THE DOCTORS SHOULDVE KNOW THAT THE VAGINAL OPENING WASNT LARGE ENOUGH TO EVEN USE THE VACCUM ANS THEY SHOULDVE DELIVERED MY SON THROUGH C-SECTION BECAUSE OF THAT BUT INSTEAD THE DOCTORS WENT AHEAD .
Thanks macrmf!!!
Just celebrated my daughter's 1st bday.
I try to stay strong and then I have my moments.
I have my 9th month appointment coming up. Will get the doctor to do a thorough testing.
What tests did you go through to make sure everything is fine ?
Hope things are fine at your end.
BTW which state did you get your RVF fixed... if you don't mind sharing ?
Just celebrated my daughter's 1st bday.
I try to stay strong and then I have my moments.
I have my 9th month appointment coming up. Will get the doctor to do a thorough testing.
What tests did you go through to make sure everything is fine ?
Hope things are fine at your end.
BTW which state did you get your RVF fixed... if you don't mind sharing ?
Extremely sorry. Can totally understand what you are going through.
Did you go to a colorectal or gyn ?Any reason why it failed ? What kind of pre and post surgery precautions did you take ?
Did you go to a colorectal or gyn ?Any reason why it failed ? What kind of pre and post surgery precautions did you take ?
How did it go. Hope everything is fine
During the delivery of my daughter in May 2004, I had an episiotomy done. A couple of days after the delivery of my baby I noticed that I was passing stool through my vagina. My doctor OB told me that I had a buttonhole in the membrane that divides the vagina from the rectum. He tried to repair it twice. Both repairs failed. I went for a second opinion to Dr. 2. Dr. 2 diagnosed me with a RVF (Recto Vagina Fistula). I called my OB to let him know Dr. 2 opinion; he did not agree with the diagnosis.
Dr. 2 ordered for me to have temporary colostomy. A couple of months after the temporary colostomy was done, he successfully repaired the fistula. A couple of months after that, the colostomy was reversed.
However, seems that all the surgeries have affected my capacity to have an orgasm and is affecting my sexual and marital life. Not to mention all the suffering that I went through, during multiples surgeries, and recovering times that force me to leave my new born in the care of others. All this experience also has submerged me into depression.
Dr. 2 ordered for me to have temporary colostomy. A couple of months after the temporary colostomy was done, he successfully repaired the fistula. A couple of months after that, the colostomy was reversed.
However, seems that all the surgeries have affected my capacity to have an orgasm and is affecting my sexual and marital life. Not to mention all the suffering that I went through, during multiples surgeries, and recovering times that force me to leave my new born in the care of others. All this experience also has submerged me into depression.
had four (failed) repairs for a childbirth related rectovaginal fistula, and just last week had a temporary colostomy "installed", along with another fistula repair. Anybody know what is the least amount of time I will have to have the colostomy, as I am miserable.
I had no idea SO MANY women suffer from what I do, RVF. I am so happy that I came across this site. How do we get through each day.
Here's my story… In 2002 I gave birth to my first child, a beautiful 10 pound baby boy. I delivered my son vaginally…but right at the end of the delivery he got stuck, his head came out but his shoulder was stuck behind my pubic bone (this is called “Shoulder Dystocia”), midwives and doctors have got a very limited time to get the baby out otherwise the baby dies. The midwives and doctors tried various maneuvers to try and free the baby, finally a doctor put one or both of his hands inside the birth canal and freed the baby, as this point I felt everything tear, I ended up with a 4th degree tear and a dislocated pubic bone, but thankfully my baby was delivered alive, he only had a little nerve damage which resolved itself within 3 months (I’m very lucky). The doctor’s diagnosed I had a 4th degree tear and they repaired it as best as they could.
I soon knew (within 6 weeks) that something wasn’t quite right below, I was passing gas and fecal matter through my vagina….but at the same time I was confused and wasn’t really sure if the fecal matter was leaking through my vagina or leaking through my bottom and just soiling my undies where my vagina was, as for the gas I just thought air was being sucked into my vagina and then released, I thought maybe I had really week muscles.
A year after his birth I saw another gynecologist who requested I have a barium enema done, this revealed nothing. Thinking back the gynecologist come up with some interesting explanations to try and explain my symptoms away…anyway I left thinking it was all in my head. A few weeks later I saw a colorectal surgeon, who did a few tests and found my internal sphincter wasn’t working but my external sphincter was. The surgeon also brushed off the idea I may have had a fistula. The surgeon said there was nothing that could be done, but I could relieve my symptoms with diet.
Anyway 5 years later and two more babies later (both delivered by c-section) I finally said to myself enough is enough, something is not right and I KNOW I have a fistula. So I went to visit another gynecologist who didn’t doubt me, he did a quick internal examination and found the fistula, my fistula is low, he used a swab and found fecal matter around it. SO HOW DID THE OTHER DOCTORS MISS IT! My gynecologist also said I was very lucky I didn’t experience any complications with infections and premature births in my subsequent pregnancies. He also said a barium enema hardly ever picks these up, especially if they are very small, and mine is probably less then 0.5mm. The tube that gets inserted into your bottom when you have a barium enema can block the fistula, that’s what happened to me. Anyway, I have now been referred to a colorectal surgeon, I see the surgeon next month. In my case I have two problems a problem with my sphincter which means I have a little incontinence through my bottom, and I have a RVF, gas and fecal matter through my vagina. I hope I can be fixed up! I’m scared that I’ll have to go back multiple times as so many of you have had to do, and I’m scared surgery might make it worse.
The symptoms I live with include, and if you have these don’t let people tell you it’s in your mind: RVF - Uncontrolled passing of gas through my vagina, I could be standing in a library and out comes gas, when I get up after I have been sitting down gas usually passes. Liquid fecal matter passing through my vagina. Pain and tenderness during intercourse and internal examinations. Sphincter – After I’ve had a bowl motion fecal matter leaks out of my bottom for up to an hour or two after I did my BM. If my BM is a little on the dry side (i.e. constipated) I don’t get any leakage. And yes things can get a little smelly, that’s why I shower at least twice a day and am always visiting the toilet to clean myself up….what a life.
Best of luck to everyone!
Here's my story… In 2002 I gave birth to my first child, a beautiful 10 pound baby boy. I delivered my son vaginally…but right at the end of the delivery he got stuck, his head came out but his shoulder was stuck behind my pubic bone (this is called “Shoulder Dystocia”), midwives and doctors have got a very limited time to get the baby out otherwise the baby dies. The midwives and doctors tried various maneuvers to try and free the baby, finally a doctor put one or both of his hands inside the birth canal and freed the baby, as this point I felt everything tear, I ended up with a 4th degree tear and a dislocated pubic bone, but thankfully my baby was delivered alive, he only had a little nerve damage which resolved itself within 3 months (I’m very lucky). The doctor’s diagnosed I had a 4th degree tear and they repaired it as best as they could.
I soon knew (within 6 weeks) that something wasn’t quite right below, I was passing gas and fecal matter through my vagina….but at the same time I was confused and wasn’t really sure if the fecal matter was leaking through my vagina or leaking through my bottom and just soiling my undies where my vagina was, as for the gas I just thought air was being sucked into my vagina and then released, I thought maybe I had really week muscles.
A year after his birth I saw another gynecologist who requested I have a barium enema done, this revealed nothing. Thinking back the gynecologist come up with some interesting explanations to try and explain my symptoms away…anyway I left thinking it was all in my head. A few weeks later I saw a colorectal surgeon, who did a few tests and found my internal sphincter wasn’t working but my external sphincter was. The surgeon also brushed off the idea I may have had a fistula. The surgeon said there was nothing that could be done, but I could relieve my symptoms with diet.
Anyway 5 years later and two more babies later (both delivered by c-section) I finally said to myself enough is enough, something is not right and I KNOW I have a fistula. So I went to visit another gynecologist who didn’t doubt me, he did a quick internal examination and found the fistula, my fistula is low, he used a swab and found fecal matter around it. SO HOW DID THE OTHER DOCTORS MISS IT! My gynecologist also said I was very lucky I didn’t experience any complications with infections and premature births in my subsequent pregnancies. He also said a barium enema hardly ever picks these up, especially if they are very small, and mine is probably less then 0.5mm. The tube that gets inserted into your bottom when you have a barium enema can block the fistula, that’s what happened to me. Anyway, I have now been referred to a colorectal surgeon, I see the surgeon next month. In my case I have two problems a problem with my sphincter which means I have a little incontinence through my bottom, and I have a RVF, gas and fecal matter through my vagina. I hope I can be fixed up! I’m scared that I’ll have to go back multiple times as so many of you have had to do, and I’m scared surgery might make it worse.
The symptoms I live with include, and if you have these don’t let people tell you it’s in your mind: RVF - Uncontrolled passing of gas through my vagina, I could be standing in a library and out comes gas, when I get up after I have been sitting down gas usually passes. Liquid fecal matter passing through my vagina. Pain and tenderness during intercourse and internal examinations. Sphincter – After I’ve had a bowl motion fecal matter leaks out of my bottom for up to an hour or two after I did my BM. If my BM is a little on the dry side (i.e. constipated) I don’t get any leakage. And yes things can get a little smelly, that’s why I shower at least twice a day and am always visiting the toilet to clean myself up….what a life.
Best of luck to everyone!
Hi Ladies,
I have never posted on a discussion board and have never had the need until now. I have been furiously searching the internet for the last 1 1/2 tears since I delivered my baby. I have the very unforntunate outcome of a 4th degree tear and rectal vaginal fistula. It presented itself about 10 days after my baby was born. My OB new right away when I told him and he referred me to a colorectal surgeon. I had gas and stool leaking from my vagina. Pretty hard to miss those symptoms. Horrifying, terrifying, and it felt like life was coming to an end. I had to go on anti-anxiety medication. I had a sphincteroplasty and perineal reconstruction 4 months after the birth. Half my perineum was gone and both my internal and external sphincter muscles had major defects. I don't know how my lame OB messed up the repair after the tear, but I am pissed!!! Even I could see that I wasn't repaired correctly. The sphincteroplasty was supposed to heal the fistula and remove any risk of incontinence, although I wasn't experiencing any at the time except through the fistula. The fistula reoccured after the surgery. The continence part is ok, but not perfect. I leak gas sometimes with strong urges. I went through biofeedback and that helped somewhat. My next step with the fistula is the Surgisis plug. I am scared to do it in case it fails. It's gotten pretty small in the year since my surgery, but it is still a major annoyance. It is so difficult to live with and I have moments of pure anger,anxiety, terror, and self-pity. My colorectal surgeons tries very hard to reassure me that my incontinence issues now or in the future can be treated with Scaral Nerve Stimulation. I want desperately to believe her, but I have been disappointed already with promises of treatment, only for them to fail. Anyway. thought I'd join the forum for support and just to share my experince too and support others going through the nightmare. If your are in the Mpls, MN area, Dr. Lowry is a wonderful colorectal surgeon, so is Dr. Rothenberger.
I have never posted on a discussion board and have never had the need until now. I have been furiously searching the internet for the last 1 1/2 tears since I delivered my baby. I have the very unforntunate outcome of a 4th degree tear and rectal vaginal fistula. It presented itself about 10 days after my baby was born. My OB new right away when I told him and he referred me to a colorectal surgeon. I had gas and stool leaking from my vagina. Pretty hard to miss those symptoms. Horrifying, terrifying, and it felt like life was coming to an end. I had to go on anti-anxiety medication. I had a sphincteroplasty and perineal reconstruction 4 months after the birth. Half my perineum was gone and both my internal and external sphincter muscles had major defects. I don't know how my lame OB messed up the repair after the tear, but I am pissed!!! Even I could see that I wasn't repaired correctly. The sphincteroplasty was supposed to heal the fistula and remove any risk of incontinence, although I wasn't experiencing any at the time except through the fistula. The fistula reoccured after the surgery. The continence part is ok, but not perfect. I leak gas sometimes with strong urges. I went through biofeedback and that helped somewhat. My next step with the fistula is the Surgisis plug. I am scared to do it in case it fails. It's gotten pretty small in the year since my surgery, but it is still a major annoyance. It is so difficult to live with and I have moments of pure anger,anxiety, terror, and self-pity. My colorectal surgeons tries very hard to reassure me that my incontinence issues now or in the future can be treated with Scaral Nerve Stimulation. I want desperately to believe her, but I have been disappointed already with promises of treatment, only for them to fail. Anyway. thought I'd join the forum for support and just to share my experince too and support others going through the nightmare. If your are in the Mpls, MN area, Dr. Lowry is a wonderful colorectal surgeon, so is Dr. Rothenberger.
For those of you who had failed repairs, how long did the doctors wait to try to repair? I was told I would have to wait at least 3 months before an attempt at repair. In the meantime, I had the colostomy to help the process along. How long did you wait between each subsequent repair attempt??? I think it's very important to seek out a very experienced colorectal surgeon. I was fortunate to go see on of the best in the world. THe whole process was almost a full year, but it's worth the wait in the end. The body needs time to repair so don't rush, because it could take a lot longer in the end.
Hi,
I to have an unrepaired rvf. After birth of first son, 4 degree tear. OB did not do a good job of repairing. I noticed gas in the vagina a few days later. I also saw a colon/rectal surgeon but decided against surgery at the time. Wanted to breastfeed and symptoms were tolerable w/ no stool.
I just had my third baby and I'm 6 weeks postpartum. I chose to not repair and have vaginal deliveries. Husband and I are now finished and I'm looking into having the rvf repaired. We have moved and closest colon/rectal surgeon is 4 hours away. Have any of you had a transanal rectal advancement flap? I'm very concerned about having the surgery, healing, sex & marital life afterwards. I've been so emotional and cry about this all the time. It's very depressing! I'm also worried about the repair breaking down. I really don't have anyone to talk to about this - who understands the emotional aspects of it. My husband is wonderful but I sometimes feel he doesn't really understand.
I to have an unrepaired rvf. After birth of first son, 4 degree tear. OB did not do a good job of repairing. I noticed gas in the vagina a few days later. I also saw a colon/rectal surgeon but decided against surgery at the time. Wanted to breastfeed and symptoms were tolerable w/ no stool.
I just had my third baby and I'm 6 weeks postpartum. I chose to not repair and have vaginal deliveries. Husband and I are now finished and I'm looking into having the rvf repaired. We have moved and closest colon/rectal surgeon is 4 hours away. Have any of you had a transanal rectal advancement flap? I'm very concerned about having the surgery, healing, sex & marital life afterwards. I've been so emotional and cry about this all the time. It's very depressing! I'm also worried about the repair breaking down. I really don't have anyone to talk to about this - who understands the emotional aspects of it. My husband is wonderful but I sometimes feel he doesn't really understand.
A question for macrmf, if you don't mind me asking, how long did you have the colostomy for, as I had one two weeks ago, also a fistula repair the same day. Any info available would be a great help to me, also I'm sure to the other sufferers on this site. It amazes me that in this age of modern medicine etc, that this condition is so difficult to "fix". My thoughts go out to all you ladies out there.