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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

tmi - poo after childbirth

20 replies

juliec26 · 15/01/2011 11:06

Sorry for TMI - Gave birth on Wednesday and have been taking lactalouse and drinking water - had the urge to go, but just couldn't push it out and had to pull some out and give up and push the rest back in as have 2 degree tear and didnt want to strain - HELP what should I do I now feel like I cant walk - oh the joys and glamour! (blush)

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tutu100 · 15/01/2011 11:11

I found after my episiotomy it really helped to press a sanitary towel against the cut whilst I pushed the poo out. Not glamourous at all, but it stopped it from feeling like my stitches were going to burst.

After ds2 I had a graze (no stitches) and pooing was agony for several weeks (much worse than the episiotomy), but again pressing a sanitary towel against the area really reduced the discomfort.

Another option to try and help, but again is really not pleasant might be to run a bath and do a poo in that. Would mean having to fish it out after wards, but again the warmth of the water should help to relax things and reduce any discomfort.

Good Luck.

COCKadoodledooo · 15/01/2011 11:16

I didn't go for nearly a week after having ds2, and it was the most uncomfortable week of my life!

In the end, I drank warm orange juice, ate almost an entire pack of liquorice allsorts and took a dulcolax tablet - that shifted it lol! Once the contents of my colon had been deposited, it went back to normal straight away.

DreamingofFour · 15/01/2011 11:17

sanitary towel as counter pressure really helps.

good idea to drink water and lactulose in moderation, also would avoid all codeine painkillers as they really do bung you up.

glycerine suppositories also quite good and gentle.

finally, your bowels are up and down anyway - you probably cleared out before and during labour so will be on the constipated side now but I found that when my milk came in (day 3-5-ish) I got serious diarrhoea and cramps. Also watch out for piles and anal fissure - both of which happened to me in the second week after delivery (different babies tho'. Apologies to all who might find above too much!!

DreamingofFour · 15/01/2011 11:18

i mean lactulose in moderation (as much water as you like)

Original poster

juliec26 · 15/01/2011 11:27

thanks ladies - at least i dont feel so alone - have been in tears all morning thinking i will never poo again :) but feel reassured now - will do all your suggestions and wait for nature to take it course x

OP posts:

greenbeanie · 15/01/2011 12:38

It will improve, I had the same after dc2 and 3. After about 6 weeks everything seemed to be back to normal. Continue with the lactulose, high fibre diet and plenty of water. If you are taking ferrous sulphate (iron tablets) this can make you constipated too.

Also try not to strain too much if you can help it as it can then take longer to heal, like others have said a sanitary towel or wad of toilet paper is helpful to support the area.

daisystone · 15/01/2011 15:36

don't push! wait till it wants to come out...
I had an episiotomy and my first poo was small and runny (sorry!) but four days after the birth I needed to do a proper one and was scared witless. I used a wad of loo roll pressed against my stitches every time I thought I might be able to go.

We had to go back into hospital for DH a few days after the birth and I was in the paediatric bathroom when I got the urge to go. It was horrible being in an unfamiliar bathroom having to do it there and feeling uncomfortable because of stitches but there was a red pull cord for emergencies and I figured that if I was going to split my stitches anywhere it was probably best to do it in a hospital so I could get immediate medical attention.

Don't force a poo - wait until it wants to come out naturally. If you strain, you might cause problems

My mum says that she did a poo in the bath after her stitches and that it felt OK.

Original poster

juliec26 · 15/01/2011 18:42

I did a small one .. Not empty, but feel happy that I managed a bit of one!! .. Will continue with lactalouse and holding a towel there massive helped so thanks girls x

OP posts:

atmywitssend · 15/01/2011 18:53

I've been there too! It will happen soon, don't try to force it as it will really hurt. Once you've been once - its fine! TMI - but I found wiping really painful so just used shower head with gentle flowing water for a few days. It will get better!

Original poster

juliec26 · 15/01/2011 18:59

So nice to know I'm not alone... Who'd of thought we be so pleased to do a number 2!! :)

OP posts:

misdee · 15/01/2011 19:09

i was so shocked this time when i did a poo on day 2. it was like a cause for celebration

Limelight · 23/01/2011 19:59

I had DD on Friday. Just had a poo now. Frankly I'm a bit traumatised because it was so soon!! After DS it was about a week and I at least felt like everything had started to heal again.

It's definitely one of those things you just need to get through regardless of how you manage it. And then tick it off the list and NEVER think about it again.

Right. Next on the list.... sex...

cardamomginger · 24/01/2011 11:59

tmi question - does the lactulose make you fart? it can do, and if it does this will just dry things out in there and make it harder to go. if it is, ask your gp for an alternative. when i gave birth i found all the "breathing my baby out" stuff to be utterly useless. but, when it came to post-birth poos - breathing 'em out rather than doing too much pushing was the way to go. should this be called "hypnopooing" i wonder??

angelbabe1982 · 24/01/2011 13:17

Also, use moist loo paper after (pref straight from fridge) feels much better than the dry stuff!
With DS, I waited until I could practically feel it poking out (yuck I know!) and like cardamom says 'breathed' it out. Holding stitches is a good idea cos you'll feel more secure.
Good Luck.

homebirthmummy · 24/01/2011 13:34

iron tablets also make you really constipated.

prunes quickly get things moving...trust me! apparently bananas do too?

If stitches are sore, have a bath with a few drops of lavender in and tip a jug of water over yourself as your weeing (just to dilute the wee) OJ may make your wee a bit acidic and it may sting when you go.

Good luck!!

elsiemarley · 24/01/2011 14:47

You could try 'fybogel', I took it until I felt less sore, it's amazing stuff! Apparently it er, 'softens the stool', anyway it works a treat, pain free visits to the loo with DC1 and 2. I will be evermore thankful to the MW who recommended it, I couldn't sit down for a week after DC1 was born let alone anything else, I will be using it again next time.

Limelight · 24/01/2011 15:27

Haha! Hypnopooing! There's a book in that. cardamomginger - you could be the Dr Sears of post birth toilleting!

cardamomginger · 24/01/2011 15:56

notyummy · 24/01/2011 16:02

Dried fruit and loads of water. Apparently apricots have lots of iron, so are good both ways!

I did the task on the Wednesday in hospital after having DD on the Sunday. DH arrived to take me and DD home and I was so excited that I had managed it...Me: 'DH - I did a big poo and I wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, and I feel sooooo much better!!!'

DH: 'Erm, ....well done.'

scubamummy · 25/01/2011 09:56

hee, i made my DH come see what i'd done, it was so big and i was so proud! i pooed last night after giving birth on sat. i have a 2nd deg tear with stitches. necked 2 lots of lactulose and golden linseeds soaked for 8 hours beforehand and it was fine. a magic combination! as others said, waited til i really needed to go and it almost fell out . good luck!!! :)

sorry for lack of caps - one handed typing.

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