post elcs.....2 questions

[Sparrowlegs248]

I'm scared of having a poo! What can make it easier?

And, is there a decent bed wedge type thing available? For at home so i can get out of bed?

[DearTeddyRobinson]

Lactulose helps the pooing easier but it actually wasn't that bad for me when I finally worked up the courage to go!
Not sure about bed wedges but possibly amazon?

[DearTeddyRobinson]

*makes the pooing easier

[jimijack]

Lactulose is good but so is fresh fruit and veg in the run up, lots of fluids.

Decent pain killers should be enough to get you out of ed.
Why do you think you need extra pillows to get up?

[Sparrowlegs248]

Thanks, I am struggling to get out of the hospital bed even when able to raise it up, and particularly when holding the baby. So am concerned how i Will manage with a flat bed.

[SaulGood]

Good tip on here the other day was to tie a sheet to the end of the bed and use it to pull you up.

Have you seen the physio? They should have shown you how to get up. The trick is not to use your stomach muscles at all. Swing your legs round and off the bed whilst on your side. The up to a sitting position using your hands to push yourself up and not your abs. Then get to standing. Go slowly, use your arms and legs for leverage.

[trilbydoll]

Don't try and get up while holding the baby for another week or so - put baby down on the bed then use your hands to push yourself into a sitting position. Transfer baby to cot, then get up. I must admit even 9w on I struggle to get up while holding something!

[eurochick]

I didn't find the poo too bad.

You start feeling better really quickly, but the tip about using your side is good.

[haircuthelp]

Don't be scared the poo isn't that bad! Take lactulose and just wait til you're 'ready' no need for straining!

I was scared of going home because I was scared of getting in/out of bed/walking around/stairs. Actually it was fine and improved dramatically each day for the first week.

Getting in and out of bed was genuinely challenging/painful for 5 days tops after that it was totally doable. In the meantime try and do it as little as poss (sit on dining chairs or similar during the day) and get your partner to stand next to the bed and let you grab hold of them if it helps. Don't try and do it holding the baby- that way madness lies!

[Sparrowlegs248]

I am doing the sideways thing but still really unpleasant. It was only yesterday though and already better than this morning. Thanks all.

[rallytog1]

Tmi but my midwife gave me a suppository to get things going. Worked a treat and no pushing required so I didn't feel like my stomach was about to split open.

Congratulations btw - must have just been in the last couple of days if you're still in hospital?!

[reallywittyname]

Loads of fluids and fybogel helped me, lactulose just gave me wind. Tbh pooing wasn't bad at all.

Good tip from pp about getting out of bed on your side, also don't forget to keep on top of your painkillers.

Take things easy and slowly - oh and enjoy your new baby!

[SaulGood]

How are you feeling this morning?

It's really important to listen to your body and keep on top of your painkillers if you need them. I was very fortunate to be up and about a couple of hours post cs and with no pain at all (I suspect I was actually still a bit numb as I was also self-injecting blood thinners and couldn't feel the needle). Other women in the same postnatal bay had different experiences from some moving rather gingerly but still largely fine, all the way to a woman who had another epidural whilst postnatal. It's a spectrum and as long as you take it at a pace that is right for you, the improvements should be really remarkable day to day. Don't be tempted to do too much, ask for all and any help available, make sure you've seen the physio and they've checked your stomach and talked over movement with you.

I never needed a poo for a couple of days post delivery. A combination of not having eaten while in labour (v long labours) and a very slow, sluggish bowel following the CS (this is normal). Don't strain because the midwives keep cheerily asking if you've 'opened your bowels yet', like some sort of shiny achievement you have to present to them before they let you out. A couple of days poo free can be quite normal. Have some lactulose, drink plenty and keep up the fibre in your diet. It'll probably happen naturally. I lied to the midwives first time round so they'd stop asking and let me go home (which they did 12 hours post emcs).

Congratulations on your baby.

[Sparrowlegs248]

Thank you. Bit better again today. Shower was noticeably easier. No.poop though.....

C section was Friday 12.35. (that's when he was born) Could not have been.on my feet in a couple of hours, i didn't get feeling back in my legs for about 6hrs! And not totally back for some hours after that! I can go home today so hope things Will be ok.

[LottieDoubtie]

Don't worry - nor could I! In fact by the point you're at now I had just got home and was in agony thinking oh shit I don't know how I'm going to do this. The drive home was excruciating.

BUT by tomorrow morning I was flooded with relief that actually I could walk up and down stairs easily and things were better again.

Keep taking the painkillers - all of them, on time!

[LeosMumKerrie]

Definately a must on the last point, take all of the pain killers on time!!

I was kept in longer because I had an infection so I ended up paying for a room, I think the painkiller lady forgot about me and I forgot too then it hit me like a brick 40 mins later!!

Congratulations on your little boy!!

[Sparrowlegs248]

Thanks all. It is harder without a hospital bed to prop myself up but that's more to do with feeding.

[dilbert19912]

I'd had loads and loads if morphine while being stitched up and it gave me the runs, so there was no issue of the first poo for me, Ive had two sections and I don't remember pooing being a problem at all, actually it was a relief to be able to poo after so long of being constipation and bloated. my worst thing was getting stuck In the bath because of nt being able to use those muscles properly yet, I did it after both babies too because apparently I never learn lol