Can childbirth mess up BMs?

[lalalalalal]

DC2 is 11wks old. BM throughout pregnancy were normal (other than my usual first tri constipation): nice and regular by the end.

Since giving birth they've been all over the place. They basically build up over the course of a few days, ending in a painful, smelly very soft BM (cowpat like - ahem). And then I have a few days of feeling like I need to go but only managing small (soft) ones, then the whole cycle repeats itself.

I eat lots of fibre (eat loads of F&V and cereals), drink tons, exercise a crazy amount (hour long workout daily as well as running around after 2 under 3s with no car so pushing the double buggy everywhere). So none of the 'risk' factors for constipation really apply. No sleep but that's a given at this point!

DC2's birth was very straightforward and drug-free. One tiny tear but that's it.

Before my periods I normally get constipated with it ending when I come on, so I'm wondering whether this is hormone related. I'm EBF a lot: DC2 eats about every 2hrs....

The only info I can find relates to fecal incontinence after childbirth which isn't what I've got.

Any ideas??

It sounds as if you might have a prolapsed bowel- called a rectocele. This means the lower part of your bowel- the rectum- has lost its support and is pushing forwards into your vagina. An internal exam where you are asked to cough would show it up.

What can happen is that your poo can't negotiate the bend, so you get a blockage, might feel constipated and find it harder to 'go'.

TBH all the exercise you are doing could be making things worse- any pressure you put on your pelvic floor by lifting, running, carrying kids etc makes everything sag even more.

Have a google for Michelle Kenway- an Ozzie physio who works with women on this- her website has loads of info- think it's [www.pelvicfloor.au.com]] but better check it out.

It's possible that things could go back to normal as your DC is only 11 weeks old but meanwhile do your kegels, stop lifting if you can, and don't do so much bouncy type exercise.

p.s. if you are doing sit ups they can make any prolapse worse as they put pressure on the pelvic floor.

See more info on the website I mentioned.

The cow pat thing- sounds as if your bowel is blocked and what happens is that some poo gets round the blockage but is very loose, but the rest with all the fibre gets stuck round the bend- and gets compacted over a few days. Sorry if TMI!

Thank you: that's really helpful info. I'll take a look at the website and hopefully get some clarity into it. I am pretty lazy with my Kegels so will add them into the mix.