Help! Constipated with episiotomy & 2nd degree tear

[Cosmo89]

Sorry for tmi and if I've already posted this- tried before and didn't seem to work!

I gave birth a week ago and my pelvic floor muscles are practically non existent (due to epi & tear). I am therefore severely constipated and can't do anything about it-couldn't push anything out if you paid me...

Anyway, it takes ages to get GP appt and I'm
Really worried that the longer this goes on the worse it will be- its already uncomfortable to sit.

Does anyone have any advice!?! Would be truly grateful!

I had this problem after birth and was given some glycerin supositries (sp?) by the midwife. Boy do they work well.

Is midwife or HV still visiting - ask them. May be they are available at chemist. If not ring doctor and ask to speak to the practice nurse, or tell receptionist that you were told at hospital to get appointment with doctor if any problems occur urgently due to nature of tear.

best of luck - I have been there.

Take this piece of advice - make a fuss about anything that is a problem - and get your DH to do so on your behalf. In the midst of all thats happened to your body - you deserve to be looked after properly.

You can get glycerine suppositories from pharmacy or the medicine aisle in the supermarket. I think they would really help just now.

Lactulose medicine will soften things up, ask the GP for a phone consultation and they can prescribe some (also available to buy at chemist but you get free prescriptions)

Gentle walking round, lots of fresh orange juice, fruit and veg, it will come out in the end.

Thanks! Midwife coming on Friday, hv on Wednesday.
Guess will have to ring the dr and stand my ground on it. DP at work tomorrow tho and I'm not really up to carrying the buggy down the stairs so not really sure how I can get to them Even if they can see me.
I'm starting to panic now, stupidly,

Thanks Minnie- didn't see your post. I feel better.

Senokot worked for me, but had to support my 'under carriage', and it hurt.

Ring the surgery tomorrow, they can get the GP to phone you back. Just ask them to prescribe you something for it, they will

If they are not very willing to do a phone consult, point out loudly that you have a one week old baby and you just need to arrange a prescription. It is usually much quicker for them to do a phone consult than to give you a proper appointment. You will feel better once you've had a big poo.

Dulcolax. Cover your perineum with a clean maternity towel when you go - keeps the wounds clean and feels very reassuring. And don't strain - try and breathe it out. Good luck and congratulations!

You can buy lactulose over the counter.

Same for glycerine suppositories.

it took me a week to 'go' after my forceps delivery/episiotomy and lactulose did seem to help. good luck!

Took me a week to go as well - although I didn't have the episiotomy, I did have an internal 2nd degree tear. MW said that sometimes nature tries to 'help' you by not making you go straight away but I think the codeine I had contributed (opiate painkillers always make me constipated). Lactulose helped big time. Hope you feel better soon.

I had this problem after my section and I found that prune juice was by far the most effective thing, much better than lactulose for me.

Lactulose available over the counter, and also what cardamomginger (waves!) said. Try not to strain it will give you piles!