Post partum bowel movements

[Jenna234]

Hello!
I've been so nervous about this and I have no idea why lol.
What is your experiences with the first bowel movement after birth? Any tips on how to make it less scary?
Thank you

I've had experiences post section and post vaginal/episiotomy. I was proactive and had lactalose or prune juice as I was worried about getting constipated and it being harder! Post section poo was harder to get out as your bowels are moved during the birth and before that I leaked weird yellow fluid (apparently normal according to docs!) but once I'd done one the rest were easy!
Probably TMI but you did ask! Ha

I asked the doctors to prescribe me lactulose (when they saw me on the morning of my planned c-section)and I didn't have any problem thankfully

Pooing when you have stitches hurts. My midwife told me to hold a sanitary pad against my vulva, especially the stitches, whilst doing a poo. It was great advice and made it less traumatic. Dehydration is common after giving birth, more so if you bf. Drink lots of water to avoid constipation.

Avoid constipation by drinking lots of fluid, eating fruit and veg and if necessary, take a mild aperient.
Support your perineum with a rolled up wad of toilet tissue or a sanitary pad.
Rinse well with warm water afterwards (front to back) using a jug or shower head and pat yourself dry with soft toilet tissue or a soft towel, rather than just using paper to wipe.

Two vaginal births (one stitch both times), no special prep through diet or meds and both first bm were, if anything on the soft side. No pain at all.
Fingers crossed for you.

My first BMW after DC1 was normal and pain free. I was so pleased after anticipating the worst. What followed was 7 weeks of the most horrific constipation and treatment for poo related tears. I didn't do anything wrong it was just one of those things.

Don't panic and stay relaxed. If you find you have any issues then deal with them straight away.

Also don't feel that you're alone. Ask your midwife/GP for help if needed. They've seen it all before.

BMW?

I also agree with Lumpy prune juice is AMAZING. That reminds me to add some to my shopping list this week ready.

I haven't given birth but my mage who has advised to get a squirty water bottle to spray on your bits when you have a movement /or even just pee. Apparently it really helps sooth! Xxx

Eat well in the lead up to birth and afterwards - oats/porridge for breakfast with fruit. Lots of water. Eat a couple of prunes or dates each morning. Stay away from refined carbohydrates, processed foods and sugars. Lots of water. Simple proteins and veg/salad for lunch and dinner. Lots of water.

I did the above and mine was FINE after my csec. I walked out of the loo and said to my husband "I DID A POO AND IT WAS TOTALLY FINE!" Haha

I peed in the bath/shower for a week afterwards.

Make a sure you drink a lot of water! You don't want yellow pee or constipation when your downstairs has been hacked up 😔

LemonyFresh that statement right there is why I always feel sceptical when women say vaginal births are easier to recover from than csections.

Dear MN: please don't turn that offhand comment into a birthing debate.

It rather depends on how well you are and what drugs/procedures you've had to have to keep you alive.

I was prepared to deal with the episiotomy, stitches, lochia, pain etc. No one warned me about faecal incontinence. Temporary as it was, it was an indignity too far.

I actually don't remember mine, lo is 5months so it couldn't have been that bad. First wee was a shock though. Forgot that I'd grazed after downing a pint of water.

Following induction, epidural and episiotomy I was constipated for a week. Glycerin suppositories worked straight away, wish I'd used them sooner.

I was tempted to wrap it in a towel and pose for photos when I finally went.

Thanks guys for all the advice! Will pop out and get the post partum poop essentials! Lol
Feeling a lot more relaxed about it!:)

No problems at all post-section. In fact, lactulose and plenty of fluids made it easier than before!

No problem here after episiotomy and stitches. Took the lactulose offered regularly and held my stitches with lol paper the first time.
Coughing, however, was a very different issue! I couldn't cough properly for weeks and no-one warned me!!!

I had a c section and then did not poo for a week. In the end I had to put a glove on and extract the poo myself.
I would not recommend this.
Am pregnant again now and already I have planned to ask for lactulose immediately and glycerin suppositories if I haven't pops within 24 hours.
I don't care if I poo the bed. Anything is better than having to dig your own poo out.

To poo, if you can raise your feet on a little step or something it makes it easier to come out. To wee, a friend gave a tip to lean right forward.

Lapin you are not alone. I too had to dig mine out and then gave birth to the rest in the shower. I kid you not, just had to bare down and push! I vowed that day to never hold my poo in EVER!

I spoke to my pharmacist before my last birth about this and she recommended, lactulose, glycerin supps, and some windeze. Consequently I had no post natal poo problems. Good luck

going for a wee post vaginal birth was definitely more problematic than a bm. trick is to make sure your diet is good in the lead up to the birth and afterwards. I had a glass of prune juice every morning along with soaking oats in adding prune juice to muesli/porridge

for wee you need a jug of water to pour over yourself.

I ate a tonne of satsumas which seemed to help. Happy days

My advice is don't push your poo out, just relax and let it happen naturally.

To poo, if you can raise your feet on a little step or something it makes it easier to come out. To wee, a friend gave a tip to lean right forward.

+1 to this!