Ruptured Small Bowel and C-section

[de'ja2005]

I recently had a c-section, and experienced severe pain from immediately after. 2 days later I went into respiratory failure, and was on life support for 10 days,I was told my small bowel ruptured, and I developed peritonitis. My question is, is the small bowel close to my uterus, and could it have been possibly cut during the c-section, or can it rupture on its own?



Thank you very much

[Christie2004]

It would be extremely unusual for a small bowel to "rupture" spontaneously during a C/Section.   Bowel or bladder injury is a well known (although not common) complication of C/Section--as a matter of fact, in most standard consent forms, there is a paragraph acknowledging that these injuries may occur during surgery.

I suppose the small bowel COULD have been adherent to the uterus in some way (although I have never seen it), and have been torn during surgery, but that is not particularly likely either.  

But to have a healthy, normal bowel "rupture" spontaneously during surgery??? I highly doubt it.

Make a written request for a copy of your hospital records, INCLUDING THE OPERATIVE REPORTS and see what they say.  I'm guessing you had surgery to repair the small bowel, too--right?

Injury is more common during a "stat" or emergency C/Section than during a routine one, due to the often critical need for speed in getting the baby out.

Good luck to you.

[lovinmom]

Did you have a D&C in the past?  I know that sometimes with this procedure, sometimes there can be hold punctured through the uterus which could go into the area you mentioned.  Was there possibly a hole there to begin with such as a previous D&C?  I'm sorry you have had to go through such a horrible ordeal.  It amazes me what women have to suffer through.  I wish you well as you heal from all of this.  Thank God you got a precious baby through all of this and you made it through.  Take care!

[de'ja2005]

Thank you all for your posts!!!
Yes, I did have a D&C in the past, perhaps thats what may have happened, I am going to get my medical records to see exactly what has happened. My doctor is trying to blame me for it, saying that I had a faulty bowel, I am not buying that. I never had any problems with my bowels, and it is a coincidence that this happened right after my c-section.

[Myah's Mom]

Glad to hear you are here to talk about it-it must have been very scary for you and your family. How is your baby? Hope all is well.:)

[de'ja2005]

I am blessed to be alive, and my baby girl De'ja is doing just fine, she just turned two months old. It was really hard being away from her for the month I stayed in the hospital. Thank you so much for your post, I really appreciate the feedback. I am still trying to get back to myself, I am still experiencing a lot of pain. I'm wondering if this is normal?/ the doctors are cutting me off the vicodin so I don't get hooked, but I can't hardly walk because of the pain, anyway, sorry about the vent, I just needed to get that out!!!


thank you,

Talk to you soon

[Still_AndiJ]

I know 7 years ago when my biological mother went in for a hysterectomy, they found that her uterus had formed adhesions from her prior c-section (14 years prior) and that her small intestines had grown into the uterus via those adhesions. Her doctor was exceptionally careful, had he not been she would have been in the same position. Her situation was very rare and I have never heard of it before or since.

Andrea

[de'ja2005]

Wow, I'm glad your mom's doctor took his time with her. That might have been my case also, since this was my third c-section I'm sure I had some adhesions. I have lost my sense of smell since I was in the hospital, I don't know if it is a side effect of some of the heavy duty antibiotics I was on, or from the tube that was in my nose. My doctor seems to think that it's temporary, I sure hope so!!!!!


-De'ja's Momma

[Still_AndiJ]

It is probably temporary, I had that happen with several patients in the facility I used to work at : )

It was all for not with my biological mom though, she drank herself to death almost 2 years ago. Liver cancer is a slow painful way to go, she'd have been better off had the doctor been a little hasty. Sounds bad I know, but I am still holding onto to some hostility, can you tell : ) Long story...

Andi

[lovinmom]

I'm so sorry you are going through all of this.  You might want to visit this site  ashermans.org   There are some stories there and suppport that might help you.  I really think there is a good possibility that the D&C could have caused this.  Your medical charts most likely wouldn't show this since a D&C is a blind procedure.  The doctor cannot see into the uterus while performing the D&C.  There is no way to know except for symptoms that you have told us about.  I wish you well as you heal from all of this.  If you hope to conceive again, I would highly recommend seeing a ashermans specialist since this condition can affect future fertility.  You can get a name of one from the web-site above.  Take care!