Toilet issues and other symptoms…4 months postpartum

[WeeRunnerGirl]

So I’m just going to get right to the point, as embarrassing as it is - I’m struggling with constipation that won’t go away.

Since I gave birth via forceps 4 months ago, my toilet habits have never been the same. Some weeks I will bleed profusely and it feels like I’m passing glass when going for a number two. The Doctor has examined me internally and confirmed I have an external skin tag and she couldn’t feel anything suspicious but I’m worried because although the bleeding has stopped, I can’t shift the constipation.

I’m not sure if it’s relevant, or connected, but I’m exclusively breastfeeding. That’s making me thirst like never before 24/7. Some days I also feel that while breastfeeding I overheat too. Also I just feel like I stink more in general lol! So I’m worried something more serious is causing these issues.

I guess I’m just looking to see if anyone has had a similar experience? Am I being silly to still worry that it’s something more serious going on and want the doctor to run some more tests?

thanks 😊

I think thirst is normal when you're BFing but excessive thirst could be a sign of Diabetes. Have you had your blood sugar checked? I think some pharmacies can do this?

Have you tried some high water foods as well? Things like jelly, soup, strawberries, broccoli and melon?

Have you tried anything like lactulose etc? Or any other constipation easing things, like Anusol? I found sudocreme very easing when I was constipated.

Hope things are a bit easier tonight @WeeRunnerGirl

I bf for 3 years over 2 kids and the thirst and overheating were intense! Very normal and you do adapt to it, it also got better for me once they were fully on solids.

The constipation sounds awful though, I think after my first I did have this issue but I can't really remember for how long. I'd agree with pp about lactulose if you're not already taking it. It will also sound ridiculous but try and drink more if you can, thirst is the first sign of dehydration and you do need to drink a lot when ebf.

Hope it eases soon for you.

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto @fliesdrivingmecrazy @Cakeandslippers

thanks so much for all your responses, it’s making me feel a lot better about things mentally actually! Going through 4 month sleep regression was not helping with the anxiety aspect of it!!

I did try laxido in the beginning and I couldn’t stomach the taste, even when mixed. But needs must, I’ll give it another go. I eat a fiber rich diet and also flaxseed was working for a while but now it’s like my body got used to it and neither of those things have any effect now…that or as you suggest maybe I really am just dehydrated for exclusive bf and need to up the fluids.

anusol cream and suppositories so actually help reduce the bleeding aspect of going to the loo but not much else. I’ll let you know how I get on with my next trial…apple juice and prunes for breakfast lol! my drs appointment is next week so I’ll see what she says then too!

honestly, I’m glad I didn’t know all of this before getting pregnant or I might not have gone through with it 😅

Did your doctor mention it could be an anal fissure? I got one from constipation from breast feeding at about 4 weeks PP, felt exactly like you said like pooing glass and I’d also bleed.

doctors gave me lactulose which helped the constipation but didn’t resolve the pain/bleeding. They gave me some pain relief gel (can’t remember the name) to put on before going to the toilet but didn’t help. I’ve found drinking 2L water a day and sudocreme in the area every morning and night has helped significantly and for the past week no pain or blood (I’m now 10 weeks PP and still breastfeeding)

@CHPC thanks for the tips! The doctor who examined me said she couldn’t see any fissure so not sure….

I’ve now spoken to my original doctor and I’m going to get a blood test tomorrow!

Thought I’d update on this…all my bloods were fine apart from my ferritin stores. We’re not sure if it’s due to my high volume of blood loss during birth because my last bloods taken during pregnancy show that they were normal then.

Anyway I’ve been put on a course of iron tablets and as for the bleeding and pain during BMs, I’ve been given movicol and a gel to apply while I wait for a referrer with a bowel specialist!

I had this after my last two pregnancies. Iv had 3 children in the last 5 years. I remember after my second I would get plies often (probably once a month) had this after my third back last year but once in a blue moon now (son is now 7 months old) I remember the glass like pain and would often get a few dots of blood on tissue after wiping. This is the only time I ever had any bleeding. However I also had constipation as was also on iron tablets due to mild anemia deficiency while pregnant.
i get diarrhoea if I eat spicy food and also seemed to have developed an intolerance to caffeine m.
I am currently going through gastro neurologist after having an elevated calprotectin of 275 ( means there could be some bowel inflammation or possible IBD
my stool test was normal at 4ug and all bloods were fine including my iron levels.
i am due to retake calprotectin test this Sunday to see if the number drops but if not will have a colonoscopy.
im not really sure what to make of it all but hope you are ok ?
also travelled to Egypt a month ago (2 weeks prior to stool test ) had a bad gut in Egypt which is not uncommon lol

Hiii just wanted to say be careful of iron tablets as they can be very constipating. Obviously always go with drs advice rather than a stranger on the internet lol but maybe just something to ask the dr if you haven't.

Also did you tear at all with the birth/forceps? As an unhealed tear can make it seem like you're constipated in that it's hard to actually poo sometimes because of the muscle damage.

Just speaking from experience!
Xx