TMI: After c-section/ childbirth gastro-intestinal problems

[blondecat]

I had a c-section over 2 weeks ago
Since then I've been having tummy trouble - first the usual constipation, then 1 day normal, then diarrhea for over a week now

It was really bad at the beginning, I couldn't eat anything and am breastfeeding so was famished. Now it's better but still not going away

I was told it's not bacterial / viral as baby, thank God, is OK and there is no other tell-tale signs.

Subsisting on boiled chicken, white fish, white rice, bananas, camomile tea, white toast etc

It seems esp prone to being triggered by me eating a larger amount at any one time

Has anyone experienced something similar? Anything helped?

Thanks in advance
Am getting desperate here

[mumblecrumble]

I was exactly the same...

found I was interlorant to the iron tablets I was on.

Stopped taking them and felt much better, hope this helps.

Also, I was tol that often during section the bowel is irritated and that it can take a few months to calm down. Poor you, really rough... but congrats on your baby :)

[themanwhocantbemoved]

Or, if not the iron tablets - are you on diclofenac? I was and it gave me terrible problems..?

And congrats!

[mumblecrumble]

And those antibiotics were horrid...

[Sparklies]

Are you on antibiotics? Erythromycin is often given after that sort of surgery and it WRECKS your digestive system. It's a nightmare.

[muslimah28]

if youre on antibiotics take a yakult type drink daily as this will help rebalance the good stomach bacteria which the abs are killing off. also co codamol, if you re on that, can cause nausea and stomach problems. i vomitted massively in the hospital the day i gave birth and the day after, and it was the co codamol i suspect. the second day i did it was the day of a government hospital cleanliness inspection

[redwellybluewelly]

Just bumping this thread with the experience I've just had.

Planned CS early on Thursday morning, back on the ward around 11am. Was encouraged to be up and seated around 4pm, but was in severe pain and they eventually gave up. Took a cocktail of drugs throughout Thursday and ate very lightly in the afternoon with a good meal at 6. Oromorph, Paracetamol and Diclofenac from memory.

Friday woke feeling odd, but had had very little sleep. Was encouraged a few more times to sit up and move to chair in the morning. Too painful. More pain relief given including codeine. Also given two strong cups of peppermint tea to move the wind along.

Didn't fancy lunch, cathether removed at midday and was walked to toilet, at about 3 I knew I had an upset tummy and just made it to the toilet, while there started vomiting continuously. After another bout of sickness I was moved off the ward to isolation. Continual diarrhoea throughout the evening. Woke this morning to discover I had had an accident in the night. Just disgusting and embarrassing too.

I've now had blood taken to check for infection and liver function, the initial thoughts that it was a bug have been replaced by it being a combination of post operative shock, the cocktail of drugs and also a drug I was given in theatre. Suffice to say its preventing any visitors coming in, and also stopping me being able to go home to my DH and toddler.

Nobody told me about this when they persuaded me to have a CS!

[Longfufu]

Sorry you've been so poorly red, get well soon x

[redwellybluewelly]

Thank you

Blood tests have confirmed no infection and registrar says it was most likely the drug given in theatre to stop a bleed ans the combination of codeine and diclofenac.

I didn't know until today that diclofenac is the same as ibuprofen which I cannot take due to a history of gastric problems. You live and learn.

[Longfufu]

Oh that's good news, although being that poorly after a CS isn't. Wishing you a speedy recovery and congratulations on the birth of your baby x