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Original poster

Can't poo!

89 replies

Charlavail · 14/04/2022 16:08

Sorry! I promise I'm not the poo troll. Just a desperate woman. I had DS four week ago today and seem to have lost the urge to poo! Now it's been 5 days since I've last been and I am in agony. I managed to get a bit out last night but today I can hardly walk because of it. As I've had 3 ginormous poos in 4 weeks it's all a bit of a mess down there and I am bleeding so much just trying to go. I've tried using a stool every time and my fingers in my vagina. This time it hurts so much I jump up in pain every time. I can't take laxatives as I'm breastfeeding but have taken stool softeners. Please help me. I'm so scared I'll have to go to hospital!

OP posts:
cptartapp · 14/04/2022 19:48

@Thesefeetaremadeforwalking

Please 'phone your GP surgery OP.

They will arrange an appointment with the Practice Nurse for a Manual Removal procedure.

Don't do this. I'm a practice nurse. Never done this in my life before. Certainly not in the surgery. Utterly inappropriate!
123walrus · 14/04/2022 19:49

I haven’t admitted this to anyone in real life but I also had this whilst pregnant and went with a ‘tip’ I found on here. I used a disposable plastic glove (if you don’t have one, a nappy bag is ok) some lubricant (or if you don’t have any, just wet the glove/bag) then insert finger around the side of the blockage and pull it out.

I know it sounds repulsive but it worked immediately and it was a one off.

Irridescantshimmmer · 14/04/2022 19:53

Branflakes, at least twice a day will get your intestinal traffic flowing again.

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FrancesFlute · 14/04/2022 19:56

I had this after delivery too. Utter agony. The pain and discomfort was akin to contractions. For breastfeeding, Lactulose is fine (I was given in hospital) also try movicol or cosmocol

Sarah13xx · 14/04/2022 19:57

This happened to me on Boxing Day and I was dying off at the thought of turning up at A&E! The longer you don’t go the more it starts to impact together though then it’s near impossible to pass. If you’re desperate you can put a glove on and apply some lubrication inside to help you along. I got the fright of my life after it happened to me and from then on stopped eating so much carbs, starting having weetabix and drinking loads more water! Walking or any exercise really helps speed things up sometimes too, hope it works

TawnyPippit · 14/04/2022 19:58

Another vote for a glycerine suppository. I was given one by my Health Visitor when I was in Dire Straits post birth and it sorts the immediate problem out in about 30 mins. You can get them at any chemist. Please be assured it is a v common problem and this is the easiest solution.

NanaRant · 14/04/2022 20:00

Magnesium oxide - available in supermarkets or Milk of Magnesia - will sort you out x

apples24 · 14/04/2022 20:02

Get laxido/movicol to stay really soft so you can pass easily. I had similar issues, ended up with a fissure that was agonising and took over months to heal and also grade 1 rectal prolapse from all the straining with a pelvic floor weakened from awful birth with forceps and an episiotomy.

Just really, prioritise making your stools soft and avoid straining.

Original poster
Charlavail · 14/04/2022 20:05

glycerine suppository - would I be able to get this from 24hr pharmacy or need a prescription?

OP posts:
Bagelsandbrie · 14/04/2022 20:05

Can you get out for a long brisk walk? The movement may help.

MrsMoastyToasty · 14/04/2022 20:07

I eat handfuls of raisins and sultanas then wash down with a pint or two of orange juice with bits.
Works for me.

ofwarren · 14/04/2022 20:07

@Charlavail

glycerine suppository - would I be able to get this from 24hr pharmacy or need a prescription?

You can get them from the pharmacy. Guaranteed it will work in 15 mins, they are excellent

lpoast · 14/04/2022 20:11

@Charlavail

glycerine suppository - would I be able to get this from 24hr pharmacy or need a prescription?
Yes a pharmacy will have them. I sent my poor husband out for them. It basically does the lubricating bit without the glove options described here 🥴
lpoast · 14/04/2022 20:12

Also yes after not being able to poo for days it solved the problem in about 30 minutes.

CheerioBeerio · 14/04/2022 20:12

I'm not going to name change because I don't care, but I had something similar to this OP. I ended up getting in a shallow ish bath and doing a poo in it. The water helped to soothe things and literally eased the passage alongside manual help. Fishing it all out wasn't much fun but I was beyond caring.

gregdaviesiswonderful · 14/04/2022 20:13

I had this post birth too OP and it's awful

The only thing that worked for me was (as horrifically gross at it sounds) some rubber gloves, lots of Vaseline and using my fingers to prise it out. I also used fingers to mush it all up there so it was easier to pass.

Now off to name change after such an admission!

bakewellbride · 14/04/2022 20:16

Lactulose is fine when breastfeeding. I took it for the first ten days or so postpartum.

TawnyPippit · 14/04/2022 20:18

Definitely can get glycerine suppositories from any pharmacy. I think they are kept behind the counter but they will deffo sell you/your DH one with no substantive questions. They are cheap as chips as well. I honestly think everyone should be sent home from hospital with a couple.

All of the other suggestions on here re Movicol/prunes/coffee/walking are absolutely right, but you need to sort out the immediate problem and that’s what the glycerine suppository does.

JacktomyDaniel · 14/04/2022 20:20

Sit on a hot water bottle for 20 mins and drink hot water (as in like a cuppa but just the water)
It worked for me. The heat relaxed everything I think.

Guineapiggiesmalls · 14/04/2022 20:22

Came here to say glycerine suppository. Insert one and then lie on your right side for about an hour. Drink as much water as possible (as it draws moisture to make it easier to pass). When you’re on the loo, breathe as though you’re blowing bubbles, it weirdly helps!

You can get them in boots or any pharmacy off the shelf. Sending sympathy, it’s so painful and stressful!

DoncasterHombre · 14/04/2022 20:32

@MrsMoastyToasty

I eat handfuls of raisins and sultanas then wash down with a pint or two of orange juice with bits. Works for me.
I hope you brush your teeth after - sounds gruesome!
MammaFifi · 14/04/2022 20:33

I highly recommend glycerin suppositories and micro enemas. No prescription needed. Use both together and get in bed on your side and try and relax/nap, it will help. Good luck, you'll feel much relief once it's over and done with! X

tillyandmilly · 14/04/2022 20:35

Glycerine suppositories will work very quickly!

Feeellostindirection · 14/04/2022 20:39

I had this after my second dc and it turned out I had prolapse of front/back wall and cervix. The poo sits in a pocket (rectocele) and it's really hard to evacuate. I ended up having full repair 2 years after the birth. I'm not saying it's that and you are so early from the birth so there's time for things to retract, but you need to check with the nurse at your gp surgery. In the meantime try to keep poo as soft as possible by using fibregel or movicol etc, eat high fibre foods with plenty water, just making the poo softer if possible helps.

Pugsnotdrugs101 · 14/04/2022 20:40

Can you use dulcolax suppositories? I use them and they work within about 15 mins! If you’re still suffering tomorrow please ring your gp so you don’t become impacted! Hoping you poop soon!