Constipation... (***TMI Warning***)

[The[cookie]Doctor]

I'm just wondering what is 'normal' for this post birth period.

The first few times i used my bowels after birth (probably the first week) - was all fine, it was little sore but nothing unmanageable and i suspected that was normal. But for the past two weeks i've been more constipated than i was for my entire pregnancy.

My diet is better than ever, lots of fresh fruit and veges, lots of juice and copious amounts of water. I'm also yet to start back on my iron supplements - because i was waiting to feel slightly more 'regular' before i risked blocking myself up even more.

Mid last week i bought some SenneSoft laxatives because i could not stand another trip to the toilet. I went from the just bearably painful trip to the toilet, to sitting and pushing for what seemed like ages and not being able to go at all. Of course that followed by walking around for the rest of the day feeling like a pole was wedged up my behind!

I took them for three day, with a theory that would be enough to 'clear me out' and get my system back in order. Well seems my theory was incorrect as i now haven't been in three days and once again when trying today, was 'pushing in vain'. So what am i to do?

I don't want my body to come reliant on a softener and laxative to let me be able to have a BM, but at the moment it's unbearable otherwise.

I do have some metamucil, should i be trying to keep taking that daily and see if that makes a difference?

All suggestions and advice appreciated, TIA.

[Mother Goose]

Ash,
I can't tell you if it is normal for post birth (I had a c-sect) but are you taking pain analgesia at the moment? Sometimes that can hinder bowel movements.
I would actually suggest using an aperient (AKA laxative) until you get a result and then as needed. There are a lot of things you can take, some are prescription only and others aren't. Nulax is a great natural one you can get over the counter. It is essentially dried fruit.

Some other natural things to consider are;
Warm water followed by gentle exercise (even a simple walk is often enough)
Eating dried apples
Eating grapes (although they are high in sugar... but large quantities can get the bowels moving!)
Increase excercise in general.
increase water intake.

Try to avoid pushing/straining when you're on the toilet as you may end up doing damage or getting a hemorrhoid. If, after a few minutes you have had no result, get up and try again later.

HTH and hope you get some relief soon!

MG

[visitor1]

I used Coloxyl with Senna post birth (and thats was from after DD1 birth until about 4 weeks ago....so a long time) as i was terrified of the loo due to a fissure i got 5 weeks after DD1 birth.

Nothing else i tried worked, but that!

[Alan]

Hi Ashnant
Constipation after birth is not unusual.
It is caused by the abuse your bowel and intestine have taken during birth. Normally your intestine pulsates. This pushes the waste matter along the intestine. After birth your intestine can become a little bit lazy and not pulsate as well as it should. This in turn gives more time for your body to absorb more fluid from your poo making it harder and thus leading to constipation.
Coloxyl and senna tablets are a great idea. You can buy them over the counter. They contain a stool softener and a bowel stimulant.
Other ideas are pears with the skin, prunes, lots of water, exercise.
Also avoid bananas they can contribute to constipation

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Thanks MG, Kimbaz and Alan

Oh man, i swear it must be the bananas that did it!!!
Seems problems coincided with when i started having them daily as part of breakfast so i guess that has definitely contributed.

No pain meds, but i havent been up and about a lot lately so i'll get moving more frequently too.

Thanks for the explanation and ideas Alan, very appreciated. I guess I'll get back onto kiwi fruit with skin as well as they worked a treat.

[amberdee]

Ohh I can sympathise as I had the same problem for about 2 weeks after giving birth and it was awful. I couldn't believe that not pooing could be so painful!
I tried all the different products that were recommended to me and nothing seemed to help much... metamucil, agiolax granules, agarol liquid, coloxyl with senna... In the end I really found that the only thing that really seemed to help was good old prunes! (Lots! )

[summerluven]

I had the same thing, not helped by a very painful fissure which probably made me slam shut a little bit and therefore make the whole thing worse!!

My routine during that time was:

3 litres of water a day
snacking on prunes and dried appricots throughout the day
A glass of Movicol every day - this was prescribed to me by my doctor and helps with impaction, when it is all 'backed up'...lovely! But this stuff is really good.
A salad for lunch every day
Coloxyl with senna at night if I had missed a dose of dried fruit or the salad

If it is still like this it might be an idea to go and mention it to your gp if you haven't been for a few days, in case something else is going on (like an impaction). Any pushing can really make matters worse.

I am sure I had something else to tell you but Desperate Housewives has just grabbed my attention and I have just gone completely blank!!

I hope it eases up soon...it is so darn unpleasant!!!!