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Childbirth

bowel movement after childbirth

44 replies

mckenzie · 11/03/2005 13:18

sorry to have to ask these questions but....

how long can I safely go without having a bowel movement after childbirth?

Apart from eating lots of fruit and veg (which I do anyway) any other tips for making it happen?
I really want to go but I think I'm scared.

OP posts:

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Cod · 11/03/2005 13:19

Message withdrawn

colditzmum · 11/03/2005 13:21

don't, DO NOT eat any sweetcorn!!!

Enid · 11/03/2005 13:22

hold a pad over your stitches, makes you feel better. Drink LOADS of water - when did you have your baby?

they didn't discharge me until I'd had a poo (first baby)!

Toothache · 11/03/2005 13:23

McKenzie - I went 5 days coz I was just sooooo scared I was going to split in 2!! Once it all happened it was really fine.

anchovies · 11/03/2005 13:23

I didn't go for over a week! Lied after my CS to get out of hospital. Was nowhere near as bad as I was expecting though!

lockets · 11/03/2005 13:25

This reply has been deleted

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Sponge · 11/03/2005 13:26

It's fine really. Just eat lots of fruit and veg, drink water and go when you're ready.
Don't let them give you laxative stuff they gave me. I had many stitches and they didn't want me doing any straining but this stuff turned me into a waterfall - couldn't leave the looside.
I gave it up after 1 day and took my chances.

squigglesmum · 11/03/2005 13:26

Lots of pineapple juice helped me. It wasn't so bad though, and after the first time you can stop worrying!

HandbagAddiction · 11/03/2005 13:27

Can't remember how soon after it was - but probably at least 3 or 4 days. Was petrified given that I had stiches and everything was so tender. Was also on iron tablets so a bit constipated too. Remember telling dh that I was off to the loo, would be at least an hour, took a good book with me and a small glass of wine and stayed there until I'd been successful!!

You could try dried apricots??

HappyMumof2 · 11/03/2005 13:32

Message withdrawn

mckenzie · 11/03/2005 13:36

thanks everyone. DD (baby no 2) was born wednesday night so it's only been 2 days I guess but the thing is, I do feel like I want to go but as soon as I sit on the toilet, nothing. I just tense up. I'll try the pad trick and the pineapple too.

OP posts:

hoxtonchick · 11/03/2005 13:40

it took me a couple of days i think. ended up sending my mum out for a safe laxative to take when breastfeeding. she came back with senokot which worked a treat.

franke · 11/03/2005 13:44

I did the pad trick too - it became my comfort blanket for a few weeks (way after I actually needed it). I also found once or twice that I couldn't wee - just turn on a tap if this happens but make sure you're actually sitting on the loo when you do

Pollyanna · 11/03/2005 13:47

Prune juice does the trick! I was really scared each time (lied to the mw the first time), but with prune juice it is fine. Just drink alot before you go to bed and bob's your uncle the next morning!!

bonym · 11/03/2005 16:10

I was a good few days and in the end had to resort to Lactulose and glycerine suppositories!! (nice)

kama · 11/03/2005 16:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

kama · 11/03/2005 16:16

This reply has been deleted

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SoupDragon · 11/03/2005 16:17

hehehe

It's not bad, honest. Even after a 3rd degree tear which I had with DS1! That's not to say I wasn't terrified first time round of course

piffle · 11/03/2005 16:38

I lied too I went the morning afterwards - and of course it was totally fine!
I had not stitches or anything, but the whole area still feels like its going to fall out if you poo!
Prune juice, I found this after having abdo surgery for ectopic, was so determined not to be constipated and it's great stuff, nice and sweet too.
I held a pad (cotton wool pad) soaked with witchazel over it as well really soothes!

Cod · 11/03/2005 16:46

Message withdrawn

Libb · 11/03/2005 16:50

I had a 3rd degree tear and tentivally (SP is wrong!)went the day after DS was born - I didn't bother with the dinners as I had sat watching a documentary about manky hospital meals just 2 hours before my waters broke, 5 hours later DS appeared.

So I did brown toast and weetabix until my first "poo" - and played any aches and pains down so I could go home.

mckenzie · 11/03/2005 17:47

have been now. It got that I so badly needed to go that all I did was sit down and out it popped. Still not looking forward to the next time though.

(Sorry, this is too much information isn't it?)

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tassis · 11/03/2005 17:51

Another vote for prune juice here!

Enid · 11/03/2005 17:59

glad you've let us know, mac, I was wondering how you'd got on

gingernut · 11/03/2005 18:37

I took lactulose both times, makes it nice and soft. Poor you!

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