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Pelvic Heaviness

I'm 30 and had a vaginal delivery of a 9.4 lb baby 18 months ago. the first couple months postpartum I had several episodes of urge incontinence. Even now if I try to stop the stream of urine while going I sometimes can't at all and usually can't completely.

I've always tended towards constipation--if I don't monitor my diet i won't have a BM that day or it'll take me a really long time to get it out. on a normal day it takes me 10-15 minutes to move my bowels. the last few weeks i've been having a harder time than normal going, and on occasion have had slight diarrhea. The last week I've become preoccupied with going to the bathroom, and have also developed a really uncomfortable heaviness right around my tailbone. The pattern for the last few days has been that this is with me all night (although it doesn't disrupt my sleep) and then I am unable to go to the bathroom in the morning. I finally go in the afternoon--one normal to slightly hard stool, and get complete relief from the sensation of fullness. Then over the next hour or so I start feeling it again, go to the bathroom and struggle to get out a few more very loose stools, which doesn't relieve the feeling of pressure at all. I'm then left really uncomfortable all evening.

The sensation I have in my tailbone area is EXACTLY what it felt like when it was time to start pushing during labor. I’m now really worried about what might be going on. Could my IUD have slipped and is causing this discomfort?
Also, during pregnancy i developed hemorrhoids, which aren’t painful but are pretty big (they got bigger with birth and i looked last night and they’re huge). i know the constant straining on the toilet isn't helping the). they have never bled, but i wonder if they are contributing to this weird heavy feeling? i have become very preoccupied with the sensation (i suffer from several anxiety disorders) and am fearful that a tumor is pressing on something in my pelvis!
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Avatar universal
thank you. if i do have prolapse, does that mean surgery and would i be able to have more kids?!!!
Helpful - 0
603463 tn?1220626855
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
If you were my patient, I would have to tell you that I think you suffered some nerve damage with your delivery, and the urinary issues may never completely resolve.  Sometimes the nerves regenerate, but often they don't.  Also, I would do an exam to see if you have some prolapse of your uterus.  It sounds like it may be pressing on your rectum and contributing to the sensation of pressure that you are describing.
Finally, I would refer you to a good proctologist to have the hemorrhoids checked. They also could be causing pressure, and you're right that they are not getting better when you are straining.  Sometimes they can be banded and easily removed.
I think you are definitely on the right track when you mention damage to your pelvic floor.  I really doubt that you have a tumor.  It would probably be a good idea to get a check up with your doctor, and ask about the prolapse.

Good luck!
Dr B
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
sorry, i mean to add that sometimes it's relieved by passing gas, but if i try to hard to do so, i will wet myself. so clearly there is some damage to my pelvic floor:(
Helpful - 0

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