Oh my god constipation after c section, please help!

[Lefmry]

I am 6 days post c section and I surprisingly managed to go for a number 2 about 3 days after it despite taking the medication that causes constipation, I was pleasantly surprised. I stopped taking it for 2 days because I just didn’t want to become constipated. Have had 3 c sections in total and remember how constipated I was after my second and it was agonising. Started to take it again at the weekend as the pain ramped up and now I’m horrifically constipated. I’m talking there’s no movement at all down there, I cannot even push a single bit to get even the smallest bit to ‘exit’.

I’m actually sat on the toilet now in tears. I’m in so much pain because of it and can’t even sit down anymore because it’s that bad, I wish I could say the pain from the c section is causing me to hobble about but it’s actually because of the constipation.

Last time it just suddenly worked it’s way out after a week or so but oh my god I can’t do this for another 4/5 days I really can’t. Does anybody have any tips or just words of solidarity? I need it!! 😭😭

Solidarity, no one tells you these things! I took fybogel and it really helped. It’s gentle!

Dried apricots are your friend. Judging amount may be tricky, but they do work!

A good dose of milk of magnesia (if no contraindications). Creates a backlog of liquid matter that lubricates the stuck stool. Sympathies x

I suffer horrifically with constipation, its agonising. Been there with the pain, you want to go but can't because of the pain, constantly hopping on and off the loo 😬 I would say drink as much orange juice as you can, keep hydrated with water too, and natural senna tablets and lactulose work best for me. I can take 3-4 senna at night then again in the morning and continue till I can go. I once had to get my sister to take my daughter to nursery as I was so ill with it. Really feel for you 🥺

Would sitting in a warm bath or using a heat pad help with the pain? I find that eating tinned prunes helps get everything moving again. Sending best wishes to you for a quick recovery

Agree dried apricots, prunes, orange juice, warm baths and lots of patience.

I would work my way through all the above systematically, OP. I had this issue after my first c-section and in the end the midwife gave me latex gloves and told me to sort it with a finger. Hate to say it but it worked. With my second I ate dates and not much else for the first few days. I was determined not to be in that situation again. I feel for you.

Thank you so much everybody for the suggestions. I’m going to send my partner out with a list of things you’ve suggested to hopefully help. He absolutely swears by coffee and as much as I don’t like the stuff and worry because I’m breastfeeding I did try a cup earlier and it did actually give me the urge to go but like I said it just feels way too big to even come out 🥴 It’s truly horrific.

I had to stop taking the painkillers the have me before anything 'moved'. Can you swap to different painkillers?

Lactulose is good and fast working . It's an awful feeling and pain . Especially after a c section .
Oj / warm plain water . Or just plenty of water should help .

15 years ago - advice may have changed - I was told to try suppositories, which you can buy over the counter. A couple of them did the job, combined with lots of water, Fybogel and coffee. They lubricate and soften the stools that have built up and hardened. Then you have something working from both ends.
Also, try to relax (hard, I know). A footstool while you're on the loo really helps - raising your feet makes it all a lot easier. There's a reason why many cultures squat! (Not advocating squatting post c-section!).

A glycerin suppository is what you need. You need to tackle this from the business end, not be swallowing laxatives.

A phosphate enema would also work well. You can buy them from the chemist.

Then, when you've cleared the blockage, take senna tablets if you're taking painkillers.

Sounds like you need something to soften what’s already there. Get some Dulcoease. Tesco sell it. Or if there’s a chemist still open near you, you can buy Movicol or Laxido over the counter.

Keep going with all the stuff to keep you going and send your husband for some glycerine suppositories.

Eat hundreds of Kiwis op

Solidarity, I now have a rectocele from two bouts of constipation, one after ivf and one after c section. I used all the none constipators under the sun and nothing worked. Hope you get some relief soon and congratulations on your new arrival :)

You could try inserting a clean finger into your vagina and you should feel a big hard lump through the back wall. Gently massage to try and break up the stuck stool. Or try getting a wad of toilet paper and press it against your perineum as you bear down. I know how awful this feeling can be, but don't panic - it is going to come out one way or another 🙂

Oh my actual god it came out. I did what someone suggested and essentially chipped away at little bits as it came out whilst wearing a glove! Sorry tmi 🤢 and then eventually it all came out in two gigantic boulders. I’m so, so relieved. Thank you again to everybody!!

Look up moo to poop as well really helped me along with prunes, water and a step for my feet. I also braced a hand towel around my CS scar as was paranoid I was going to burst my stitches

Well done OP
Sometimes these things have to be done
I had to do similar when I was in hospital after RTA on a ton of codeine and morphine - it was advised by the surgeon
I cried with elation after i managed a poo. I thought I was going to die of constipation - I hadn't eaten for 48 hours or slept as I felt so ill

My advice now would be to drink a glass of prune juice every day to stay constipation free. It tastes foul so chill it and knock it back like a shot.

Oh, well done, OP, what a relief! Now keep things moving - cloudy apple juice kept my son regular - it has to be the cloudy sort, something to do with the type of sugar in it.

I’m definitely going to still go ahead with everybody’s suggestions as honestly I already feel constipated again despite not having had the codeine meds for maybe 2 days now. Hopefully this time it’s not quite as difficult to get out and I’ve not left it too late!

I feel for you OP, I’ve been there! Definitely pick up some lactulose to take for the next couple of days until things return to normal.

If you feel it right there as a ball that just won’t pass/ come out then get some glycerol suppositories.
It will make the passing so much easier