To ask for help :-( **Graphic - Thread title edited at OP's request**

[boredaloneandwaiting]

Just had a baby (three days ago!)

All well but had a pretty traumatic birth ending in forceps and episiotomy. Was in hospital then got early this morning. Before being discharged I had to do a wee (after catheter removal) and have my bladder scanned. All good.

Tonight I went upstairs to do my first poo (sorry!) and before I even got my pants off I lost complete control of my bladder. Cue bleeding and weeing on the floor. :-( think the bleeding was from my stitches (I've had bleeding there since birth).

I also haven't managed to do a poo as it was so painful I couldn't even sit on the toilet or push at all.

I tried pressing a wet flannel on my stitches but that didn't really help :-(

Any advice or similar stories??

Please I'm feeling particularly crap tonight :-(

Glad you've been and done it now. Keep regular by drinking plenty of water, maybe some prune juice. And just take your time in the loo. These post natal days are fucking hard! Tell your Dh he may as well read up on it so he knows you're not going nuts. And congrats to you both

OP I remember feeling like a bus had just driven over me between my legs. It was awful but unfortunately this is not uncommon. It's like a car crash women go through but they aren't allowed to speak about their injuries. It will get easier. I second all the advice you've been given but also when you do poo try to use a step to squat on and don't push. Just sit for as long as the poo takes to come out. Pee with warm water in shower. And don't expect too much of yourself. Bed rest and cuddles for you and baby for as long as you like. Congratulations x

Your update has made me laugh! Mainly because I'm pleased for you and also pleased that MN has cheered you on!

But also because boredaloneandwaiting was safely delivered of a 2lb poo at 5 o'clock today. Mother and bowel are doing well

Someone upthread said this is quite common and why isn't it more talked about? She's right, your thread reminded me of the horror of pooing post-partum, which nobody had flagged up beforehand at all.

Take stool softener for sure. On the loo, put your feet up on a stool and bend forward, massaging your stomach and then you won't have to push - it will just come out. Wipe with water wipes or clean gently in the shower to avoid irritating the area.
It's really daunting and horrible - I think I finally had a bowel movement about 5 or 6 days post partem following a 3rd degree tear. It was such a relief when I actually went! As for the bladder issues - your pelvic floor has taken a hammering. I suffered from bladder numbness so didn't always realise I needed a wee. I'd recommend making a conscious effort to pop to the loo every 2 hours, even if you don't feel you need to in order to avoid any accidents. Also do your pelvic floor exercises daily to strengthen everything up again. Good luck OP - you're in the really shit recovery phase but you will feel better. And congratulations!

I peed myself 2 days post partum, I thought I was haemorrhaging so it was actually a relief I was just pissing myself 😂.
It was a one off though, so don’t panic. Once your stitches are better do your pelvic floor muscles regularly.

Whoop! A 💩! 👏🏻👏🏻 I was constipated for weeks after having ds, and did use lactulose, dried fruit etc. The most effective thing was tinned pears though! I remembered my eldest having nappy explosions after eating them, so decided to give them a go - 🧨😂

Where I live the postnatal ward kept a stock of post-natal pads in the freezer. Put just a teenchy dribble of water on the pad, just 10-15mls, pop in a freezer bag and freeze for a couple of hours (not ages, otherwise they turn into bricks!). Was amazing each and every time ( especially in this heat) 😂

Woo hoo! Hurrah for the pooooo!

Just RTFT happy you found some relief OP! The very early days are so difficult on your body, you'll get there just take each day as it comes

Congratulations!

@LauderSyme your post made me laugh!

I’m probably a bit too graphic but I warn every expecting friend to get some lactulose in because the first post birth shit is horrific!

Use a sports water bottle to douche urself after peeing with warm water much easier

Laxido worked a treat for me!

Congratulations on your second birth OP!! So very happy for you

Congratulations on another safe delivery! 🎉

I had a C Section but still had problems going to the toilet afterwards, I was so terrified the first time I needed a number 2 that my mum had to come & hold my hand while I went, I felt like my insides were going to drop out. It does get easier, within a couple of days I felt more like normal.

This was me three weeks ago!! It gets better I promise, unfortunately I ended up with a nasty infection in my wound so please make sure your midwife checks your stitches regularly to make sure you are healing properly.

It really annoyed me that I spent hours attending antenatal classes and not once did they mention anything about stitches and recovery, despite it being one of the most common things to happen when you have a baby. These threads saved me!

I had a lot of stitched following DD's birth and found lavender oil on a sanitary towel helped immensely with the healing process

and i think i took lactulose as a stool softner which was very much needed!

Congrats on your new arrival and make sure you take it easy and look after yourself!

These second birth etc comments have made me laugh far too hard! If I do tear a stitch I'm blaming you lot!!

Already had to explain to dh that I was updating you all on my poop 😂😂😂😂

Congratulations on the 💩💩
But even bigger congrats on your baby

If you are struggling with your pelvic floor, be super careful with lifting. My nether regions basically fell out of me 2 weeks post partum and I had ignored the lifting advice while I was dragging a car seat around.

I was like you with my first and second (but with the second the nerve endings had died so not as much pain!). Clean your stitches and air dry every day. I used to sit on maternity mats with my legs apart to drip dry. Lactolose helps and the first poo is the worst. Make sure you’re having some pain relief as I really struggled to sit down without wanting to cry with my first. It did get better but it took 2 weeks. You just have to give it time I’m afraid.

So I only tried to poo if I felt the urge. I didnt try too hard as it felt like i was going to rip ! Id just leave it and try again whenever i felt like i needed too. I also dranks lots of water & fizzu drinks. Take your time aswell 🙈🙈 this will pass

God you just reminded me when I had forceps and episiotomy. I tore a stitch when I did my first poo OUCH!

Just read your poop update op, well done you

You poor thing, you’ve really been through it. I had a similar birth (3b tear), and although it doesn’t feel like it now, everything WILL go back to normal! Lactulose and lots of water/orange juice will make things softer, don’t strain as it can damage stitches. Definitely pee in the shower or have a water bottle with a squirty top (like a sports bottle) to ease any sting. I was advised to put lavender oil onto my maternity pads by the midwife to speed healing, it also made me feel more ‘fresh’ and clean generally. Make sure you wash your hands before as well as after going to the toilet to avoid infection. And start your pelvic floor exercises as soon as you can, I had to see a physio and she advised this. Bed rest/feet up when you can and don’t be carrying anything other than your lovely baby around for a while.

Congratulations! I have had 2 episiotomies and been through similar, the healing takes a little patience and time. You could ring the midwives for a bit of moral support. Applying counter pressure with a pad, and helping healing along by doing your kegals as much as you can. If you're taking iron tablets they can make you a bit constipated, drink loads of water and maybe try a stool softener. Good luck!!