Constipation...in agony

[S2b16]

Any suggestions what I can do?
My baby is 13 days old, didn't have the best bowels before pregnancy, became regular in pregnancy. Suffering with piles and recovering from episiotomy, I feel fine in myself, have a decent diet, drinking lots of water etc.
took laxatives on day 7 and although was painful, I managed to go (sorry not a pleasant post), that's the only time I've been since delivery, 2 days ago I took 1 laxative, didn't work, took 2 last night and my stomach is agony. I need to go just can't. In lots of pain in my bottom. Will be going to Drs mon but I need relief now, this is torture. I'd rather deliver a baby again. Any advice appreciated x

Hi

I have struggled with constipation all through my pregnancy. Try a glycerine suppository. Not pleasant but very effective! Good luck! X

2 glycerine suppositories.
You can buy them over the counter. You must push them in as far as you can then hold them for 10 minutes if you can.

Just seen that your post was 2 days ago. I hope you have got it sorted out by now.

Not sure what type of laxatives you took but many women myself included take them very regularly post birth - I'm nearly 8 weeks post and have tapered down amount but not quite stopped, as I do not want to find myself straining and reviving piles. After the birth I took 15 ml lactulose 3 x day and fybogel sachet 2 x day plus a large bowl of high fibre cereal with ground flaxseed every morning! At the worst I only managed a bowel movement with the glycerin suppository pp mentions .also took tsp of syrup of Figs a couple times! Very much hope things have improved for you since your post but recommend you add some of these in daily for a while to properly recover. Now 8 weeks, taking lactulose and fybogel each once per day and will stop that next week . Good luck!! Also look up a cream for the piles, no prescription needed .

I take Movicol (or Laxido - same stuff) because I have incredibly sluggish bowels and always will. You'll be able to get it on prescription.

Thanks all, yes I managed never been so pleased to go.
Currently trying syrup of figs and fybogel and on strict high fibre diet so here's hoping x

High fibre may not be the best thing for you. Unless you drink gallons of water it can set in the gut like concrete and make the constipation worse. So if you aren't feeling better then ditch the high fibre (that includes Fybogel) and consider seeing the GP.

Get some movicol. That softens stools and helps them out too. Once you are on a steady routine of taking it, passing stools will be easy, until your episiotomy is healed.

Fibre like bran and fybogel will dry out in a slow moving gut, making it slower, and dry out more. It is a vicious circle.

Soluble fibre is better - oats, lots of fruit, veg, prunes, beans.

Also, laxatives like senna (in syrup of figs) and dulcolax, hurt

I agree - high fibre is the worst possible thing in pregnancy and post- natally.
You need soft stuff.

Lactulose.