First poo after 2nd degree tear

[makemineaginandtonic]

Just had DS2 and waiting for first poo. Quite scared what it will feel like due to stitches. They are not painful as such, but not sure how they will stand up to the pressure. Any tips on how to do it/what to expect?

Actually I had no problems pooing after my (2nd degree) tear.

More painful after an episiotomy ime!

I was dreading that. I think I was given something to make me go in the end, cos they wanted me to do one before I left hospital with my first. I held the pad as suggested and it wasn't actually bad at all, I don't think it really hurt at all.

I asked what a 2nd degree tear was this time around and the MW said that it tears into the muscle. 1st time around - very scary, 2nd time around - wasn't a problem

Both were 2nd degree tears

I think the quality of the stitching bears some relevance to how confident you are with regard to pooing

I wasn't allowed out of hospital until I'd produced the magic substance! And then only after they had given me an enema did I do the deed.

Camel and eye of needle are the words that spring to mind!

However with an enema it was fine!!!! Then I used lactulose

Wasn't particularly pleasant. Wish I had taken lactulose.

My stitches held up fine though.

Maintain that the first poo was way more scary than labour, though not in front of blokes because it opens up - sorry, no pun intended - the possibility that their "morning manoeuvres" are the equivalent of childbirth...

Job done!! Thanks ladies. Actually didn't get round to taking lactulose but had lots of fruit. Using a pad to "hold everything in" was a really good tip.

Glad to know you made it MMaG&T! I still wince at the memory (though will also remember the pad idea for next time round)

pmsl at MrsDarcy

After I had ds i was petrified because I wnt so long when I had dd. Must have been over a week.
But i made up for the last 9 months and scoffed a load of pate. It must have done the trick and i went striaght away and wasnt painful at all.
I'd had an episiotomy at that too.

Arnica is definatley the best thing to take though. I put my quick recovery down to it.

Good old mumsnet - this is what it's all about!

I can remember being so scared about this - I even wondered if it was possible just to forget the whole thing and just never go again.

Anyway congratulations G&T!