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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Constipation after childbirth

31 replies

2gd2btrue · 15/05/2021 19:41

TMI obviously..

DS is 10 days old, I was fine immediately after birth but the past 4 days I haven't been able to poo. I keep getting the urge to go but nothing is coming out properly and I'm beginning to get emotional and panicky.

I have a 2nd degree tear which I'm worried about opening up/tearing stitches, it just hurts. I'm now getting stinging pain down below. I've not eaten anything today as I don't want to keep dumping more food on top of the blockage.

I tried a senakot max strength last night but it did nothing and DH went to the pharmacy to get me movicol (it worked in a previous pregnancy) and suppositories (they didn't work before but hoping they would now) but they wouldn't give him both and they said they didn't have movicol but fybogel was the same thing. The NHS website says it isn't the same thing, it adds fibre not water. And you need to take it after a full meal which I can't eat anyway.

Everything seems to take 3 days to work and I'm really panicking about being like this for longer. I just want to be in bed and sleep as then I'm not thinking/feeling anything which means I'm the world's worst mum/wife at the moment. I just want my body back.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

OP posts:
Beamur · 15/05/2021 19:45

Lactulose and orange juice?
You have my sympathies!

Sexnotgender · 15/05/2021 19:48

Are you drinking enough water?

iamverytired · 15/05/2021 19:48

You can buy Laxido from the pharmacy. Works for me wonderfully usually within 12-24 hours and you can take up to 3 sachets in a day. It draws water into the bowel to soften everything rather than make the bowel contract to push out hard stuff so no sudden rushing to the loo. And can take breastfeeding

HattieMid2 · 15/05/2021 19:48

This is the worst! I suffered so much after my first birth that I started the prep before the birth of my second child 😂

Fybogel morning and night - prune juice - plenty of fruit and veg and tons of water worked for me.
It really is awful and made me feel so anxious, but it will get better. Congrats on your baby ❤️

Lullabymummy17 · 15/05/2021 19:50

I second lactulose and orange juice. Also make sure you're drinking plenty of water. Try and sit on the toilet and relax, give yourself time to go and maybe get a little step to raise your feet on. Hope you get some relief soon!

Original poster
2gd2btrue · 15/05/2021 20:08

I've drunk so much water and orange juice I've made myself feel sick, and have a stool. It's starting to be the second I feel like it's going to hurt I panic and don't let it happen any more so I'm probably not helping the situation

OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 15/05/2021 21:01

I had a second degree tear after I had my baby a few weeks ago. It wasn’t painful using the bathroom afterwards, don’t overthink it.

WrongWayApricot · 15/05/2021 21:31

Can you try having a bath and trying to get as relaxed as possible. Maybe if your scared of pressure being painful you can put your hand on your perineum to stop you pushing further than you're comfortable? Or distract yourself with something and just sit there a long while without trying too hard?

Original poster
2gd2btrue · 15/05/2021 21:39

I did try a bath earlier, but could try again. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Is it worth taking another senakot tonight if it didn't work last night?

OP posts:
misstilly · 15/05/2021 21:45

I suffered really bad after my first and the best thing I found were glycerine suppositories. So much that I stocked up before I had my second. They usually work within an hour which was great as I felt so blocked up I couldn't eat anything. Hope you get sorted quickly

WrongWayApricot · 15/05/2021 21:48

I've never taken it, hopefully someone else that has will know. I hope something works soon.

gmailconfusion2 · 15/05/2021 21:54

I ended up with laxido in the end as six months later I was still constipated. I was drinking litres of water, orange juice, fybrogel didn't help (wasn't my diet that was a problem) I think it went on for so long as I was constipated, tore, then starting worrying about pain. I also think part of the issue was our diet was so low in salt, that with the breast feeding.

kitkatsky · 15/05/2021 21:56

I went 3 weeks without going after my most recent baby. Def get laxido from the chemist and drink as much water as you can, especially if you're breastfeeding as that dehydrated you a bit. Also look up women's physio tips for how to poo- elevated feet etc. It does help x

mummysharkk · 15/05/2021 22:01

Big hugs. You're not a bad mum/ wife you've just been through probably the biggest experience of your life so far.
Go easy on yourself Smile

I found lactulose the highest dose helped me in a couple of days.

Please call your gp / midwife/ health visitor just for a chat about this. You matter and things sound like they could get so much worse with your panicky feelings.
You are totally normal to be feeling all this but I would really suggest you mention it to a professional who knows a bit about you/ your history to advise you of the best way forward.

Take care.

Teakind · 15/05/2021 23:03

Another vote for lactulose! I also liquidised a tin of prunes and downed that which worked very well.

I hope you feel better soon! It’s a horrible feeling

Melroses · 15/05/2021 23:10

Pharmacy sound useless (like the fybogel). Tesco and big Boots have suppositories on the shelves.

Kiwi fruits, or prune juice are good, but movicol is gentler and effective.

WingingIt101 · 15/05/2021 23:15

Bless you op. I had a similar post - 7 days pp and terrified I was going to burst.

If you don’t start to feel movement soon please just consult a doctor.
It sounds dramatic but I needed hospital intervention to clear it then had so much laxative in my I couldn’t stop. Thank god we were in lockdown is all I’ll say.

I can laugh now but at the time I found it very distressing and like I had no control over my body. If the natural remedies and over the counter stuff hasn’t worked by tomorrow I’d call to see if they can help - even with just some stronger meds!

Original poster
2gd2btrue · 16/05/2021 00:08

at the time I found it very distressing and like I had no control over my body.

This is how I feel now, combined with my boobs leaking & postpartum bleeding. I'm getting far more upset then I would normally.

I just had a bath and had some small movement but hot bath & no food all day meant I couldn't get off the bathroom floor for being dizzy!

Sending DH to the pharmacy again tomorrow. Does anyone know if I take a suppository but it doesn't work, can I then start movicol (or something similar)? I'm worried it won't work but another 2-3 days of this is unbearable.

I will call the midwife on Monday if no better

OP posts:
SaveWaterDrinkGin · 16/05/2021 00:12

I think your issue is psychological- and I say that as someone who gave birth six weeks ago and also had a second degree tear. As a PP said, try not to overthink it and do your best to relax.

Maybe having midwife check your tear would reassure you? It’s very unlikely you’ll make it worse. I found a shower afterwards for the first few post-birth poos helped and reassured me I was definitely clean as I was worried about infection.

MyGrassIsBrowner · 16/05/2021 00:22

I went 10 days PP without a movement as like you, was petrified of tearing my stitches. I had 2nd degree internal tearing. In the end I started necking lactulose and I had to manually extract as I just couldn't bring myself to do it naturally. The relief was unreal! If you're brave enough, definitely worth a try!! Just remember some gloves 😉

Original poster
2gd2btrue · 16/05/2021 03:35

It's definitely partly psychological! Although definitely hurts too. Suspect I've now got tears/piles now as there's some blood now too.

I think I do need to get it checked by a midwife as it's something I have been getting over worried about a lot it seems. It's just making that phonecall to ask! Feels really awkward. I've only seen a MW once since I had him, and once was a community support lady who worked with the midwives I think but it was to do babies weight etc. I'm not due to see anyone else until the 27th now when they will sign us over to the HV.

I've had a bit more movement now so feel a bit of relief. Still going to get some kind of softener though and keep drinking my body weight in water. Just hope I'm over the worst!

Thanks for all the replies

OP posts:
Original poster
2gd2btrue · 16/05/2021 03:36

Also - thank god this place is anonymous!!

OP posts:
SaveWaterDrinkGin · 16/05/2021 04:02

Glad you’re feeling a bit better OP.

Deffo ask the midwives for help though. Trust me, they’ll have seen it all before and will reassure you.

Barneybear11 · 16/05/2021 04:15

Ah one of the worst things about being post partum. I found it helped to hold a sanitary towel firmly over stitches when trying to go. Makes everything feel a bit more secure.

ReggaetonLente · 16/05/2021 04:15

Have you tried raising your feet on a little stool or step and holding your arms up above your head? It really helps. You don't really have to push that way.