Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Childbirth

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

Flip

Original poster

First poo (me not baby)

16 replies

Themilkyboobsareonme · 14/12/2012 22:24

I had an extended epesiotomy after a forceps delivery yesterday. I have peed now a few times but not been (and so far not needed to) have a poo. What's the deal? Any advice greatly appreciated, worried my arsehole will fall out when I do go........

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Roseformeplease · 14/12/2012 22:26

Hold a pad over your sore bits as you poo and press. Feels better. Grapes, water and prunes. I finally discovered why they bring you grapes.

mangohedgehog · 14/12/2012 22:29

oh bless you!

I had an episiotomy for DD2 about six months ago. When the time came to poo I just kind of let it come down by itself iyswim with no pushing - also held a sanny towel to the stitches for support. I had more discomfort from my lovely new haemorrhoid than from the stitches. It was more psychologically troubling than anything else!

I was actually grateful for having shat all over the delivery table so had a few days' grace before needing to do one.

You will be ok! just try to relax and be prepared to be in there for a while

mummyplonk · 14/12/2012 22:31

Congratulations first of all! I had ventuse with stitches and have a shy bowel so was worried if I was ever going to be let out. I can promise that a wee was far worse and stingy than a poo, I even commented afterwards to DH what a relief it was that it didn't hurt at all. Good luck ask the nurses for meds if you are still worried. Enjoy your lovely newborn. X

AliceWChild · 14/12/2012 22:34

Mine was fine cos it was soft. I do find it can arrive rather quickly, still recovering, so that might be something to be aware of. I held it all with a maternity pad to start with just for comfort really.

AliceWChild · 14/12/2012 22:34

And congratulations!

StrawberrytallCAKE · 14/12/2012 22:35

Congratulations milkyboobs dd2 is 1 week old today and I had a big tear and stitches and was v scared about the first poo too!! It took a couple of days and some laxatives but it happened. definitely no straining, just put your feet up on a stool in front of the toilet, take a book to read and let it happen. Make sure you keep relaxed.

TeaBrick · 14/12/2012 22:36

I second letting it come on its own without pushing, and holding a pad over your stitches.
Also very important to make sure you have time and won't be disturbed, make sure the baby is fed and someone else is looking after him/her. From what I remember it took me about half an hour, not because it was painful, but because I wanted to be very gentle with myself.

TeaBrick · 14/12/2012 22:37

Oh and I took me 48 hours from delivery to need a poo.

FirstTimeForEverything · 14/12/2012 22:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsHoarder · 14/12/2012 22:46

And you remember those breathing exercises? This is what they're really useful for...

luanmahi · 14/12/2012 22:58

Congratulations.

Took me about 4 days and I really needed to but couldn't as I was too scared. I was also on codeine for pain relief which tends to bung you up a bit. I had an 8lb baby delivered by forceps and so had quite a large episiotomy and a lot of bruising as they'd realised that the cut wasn't big enough and gone in for a second time (!). They gave me some laxatives in the end which did the trick. Just ask the midwife. Although be careful not to overdo it as that can result in a whole new set of problems with your pelvic floor muscles having been through the wars.

PunkyPod · 15/12/2012 21:11

Congratulations!! Sounds like you had a tough birth, I really sympathise. I was in pieces down there including in my bum when DD came out with ventouse. Was so scared to poo. Midwife visit on day 2 said to just go and not strain. I'd been taking lactulose religiously and drinking plenty of fluid. And it wasn't as scary as I thought. Keep drinking ALOT over the next few weeks to keep things soft, it'll help a lot.

Enjoy your new bundle, you are so lucky

Londonmrss · 15/12/2012 22:19

the only time hypobirthing was any use to me was for my first post partum poo. seriously, it did naff all during labour, but try breathing your poo out. it works.

VisualiseAHorse · 16/12/2012 09:53

Press a sanitary pad against your bits, especially just where your bum meets the rest. Also, eat loads of dried apricots, and drink lots of water/prune juice.

Bonsoir · 16/12/2012 10:04

Eat masses of fruit. Clementines are good at this time of year.

peacefuleasyfeeling · 16/12/2012 10:10

Congratulations. Try to do all the usual stuff to keep your stool soft, but if you still feel reluctant you can always do what I did (I had some nerve damage after a forceps delivery and an episiotomy, and had no sensation in bowel or bladder; no incontinence, just totally numb with no movement) and manually evacuate your poo using a finger. It sounds a bit gross, but I can assure you that it was much better than it sounds. You can either lubricate your finger with something like vaseline or use a little latex "fingerlet", available from most well-stocked chemist. You'd still need to lubricate your latex-sheathed finger though. Then you just sit on the loo, relax and gently scoop out the poo that is waiting in the rectum. I did this once a day until the nerves fixed themselves, and it really was OK, quick and easy, and much more relaxed than trying to strain or worry about my stitches popping. Good luck!

Flip