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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Post c-section first poo

32 replies

jamtomorrow1 · 25/09/2022 21:42

Last time I had a c section I didn't manage a poo for two weeks and when I did it was unsurprisingly terrible and, I'm afraid, required me to glove up and assist it out with a finger. I am going in later this week for another CS and would like to try to avoid the same thing! I took lactulose last time and made sure I kept mobile which clearly didn't really help. Does anyone have any other tips? Help!

OP posts:

LiftyLift · 25/09/2022 21:49

I had the same thing last time, absolutely awful! The hospital gave me Movicol to take home which I didn’t think I needed until I really really did by which point it was too late. I would take that very regularly afterwards if I done it again, maybe some Ella’s prune pouches for good measure.

countingdowntoholiday · 25/09/2022 21:49

I drank loads of water and ate some dried fruit.

Pooped 2/3 days after I believe, no issues 👍🏻

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 25/09/2022 21:53

Limit the extra strong pain meds they give you as that is what causes the constipation - dihydrocodine i think it is. Or if you do need to take it, keep up the lactulose to counter it.

Original poster

jamtomorrow1 · 25/09/2022 22:03

Prune pouches are a good call, thank you - I will get some movicol as well! Anything is worth a go...

OP posts:

Original poster

jamtomorrow1 · 25/09/2022 22:04

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 25/09/2022 21:53

Limit the extra strong pain meds they give you as that is what causes the constipation - dihydrocodine i think it is. Or if you do need to take it, keep up the lactulose to counter it.

If last time is anything to go by I am too much of a pussy to limit the opiates!

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Ramsd · 25/09/2022 22:10

It was so bad for me after my first, that with my second I was well prepped!
2-3 fybogel each day (not all at once), a shot of prune juice first thing and I made a point of eating plenty of fruit and veg (definitely didn’t do this first time round).
Worked really well!

Weathergirl1 · 25/09/2022 22:24

Watching with interest as facing similar in a fortnight and hoping not to repeat last time's experience again either!!

I'm taking a folding step in the car boot that can be fetched if I need it while still in hospital so I can get into a squat position. Going to take a bottle of lactulose with me this time (didn't get it until I got home last time - find it bizarre they don't actually deal with this on the postnatal ward 🤷). GP recommended beetroot to me when I was having issues with iron tablets on top of the ondansetron I'm already taking so will be sure to have some brought in to me too. I can't avoid dihydrocodeine though as I can't have ibuprofen so that'll be my 2nd pain relief on top of paracetamol.

LaddieCthulu · 26/09/2022 13:17

Fresh pineapple in the morning, dates or prunes in the evening, as well as a decent diet throughout the day, and staying hydrated. This kept me going after c-section even with dehydracodeine.

Good luck!

Original poster

jamtomorrow1 · 26/09/2022 17:43

LaddieCthulu · 26/09/2022 13:17

Fresh pineapple in the morning, dates or prunes in the evening, as well as a decent diet throughout the day, and staying hydrated. This kept me going after c-section even with dehydracodeine.

Good luck!

I am a massive pineapple fan so this is welcome advice!

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IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 26/09/2022 17:52

Dates, figs (fresh or dried), liquorice, dried apricots, lactulose, gallons of water

raffika · 26/09/2022 21:48

All Bran is your friend, as well as the things already mentioned :)

tealandteal · 26/09/2022 21:51

I have had a C-section but I wanted to keep on top of this due to prolapse last time. I made sure I had lots of fibre on my diet in the weeks running up to my due date, and make sure to keep hydrated. Then I packed dried fruit in the hospital bag, and once home I was straight on the prunes and prune juice!

LadyCluck · 26/09/2022 21:52

Lots of water. Eat raspberries. Be as mobile as you can.

Glitteratitar · 26/09/2022 21:55

For medical reasons, my life is really difficult if I have a softer poo so I had to avoid any dried fruit, etc in the run up. Because I couldn’t take a laxative, they gave me a pessary two days after the section which worked well. Still a nightmare of a poo, but it was sorted two days pp.

eurochick · 26/09/2022 22:04

I don't remember any issues. BUT I refused any opiate type drugs as painkillers because I hate how they make me feel and I think they are one of the main things that bung you up.

MossGrowsFat · 26/09/2022 22:07

Movicol for at least two weeks prior, it is not a laxative in the traditional sense.

vipersnest1 · 26/09/2022 22:07

There are alternatives to opiates. For instance, you could ask for Meptid (meptazinol), which isn't as constipating as opiates are.

Throwitthen · 26/09/2022 22:22

Glycerol suppositories - can get them in any chemist/supermarket usually. Saved me post birth with a 4th degree tear and no poo for almost 3 weeks

Greybutterfly · 26/09/2022 22:47

I had a 38 hour labour resulting in an emergency section. I snacked on chocolate raisins and dried apricots the whole time … went the next morning no pain at all

Sparklythings1 · 26/09/2022 23:28

Orange juice and weetabix did the trick for me but I have been in that horrific backed up situation before. I reached a stage of utter panic that I wasn’t going to be able to ever leave my bathroom again, it was just trapped. Not surprisingly it blocked my toilet when I did finally manage to free myself. I had to pull it out the toilet using a bag and glove and take it out to the bin subtly without my husband noticing. I was mortified about this until I listened to Ellie Taylor’s book the other day and she did exactly the same thing! I couldn’t believe it 🙈🙈

TowerStork · 26/09/2022 23:33

I suffer from constipation but had no issues at all after the c section. As others mentioned, I didn't have opiates, drank loads of water and had been drinking water and eating well in the run up to it.

TowerStork · 26/09/2022 23:35

@Sparklythings1 lol, thanks for sharing that. If it ever happens to me, I will feel better knowing someone on Mumsnet did it first!

DoItAfraid · 26/09/2022 23:36

Glycerin suppositories are incredibly effective.

Fybogel in your hospital bag.

Sparklythings1 · 26/09/2022 23:37

@RubyRoss 🤣 it’s a moment where you literally have no other choice

Original poster

jamtomorrow1 · 03/10/2022 13:13

I appreciate most people don't want an update on my bowels.... but I am proud to report a 💩 on day 3 post c section after a regime of lots of water, walking about, bran flakes, pineapple, prunes and activia prune yoghurt. So relieved! Thanks everyone for the excellent tips

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