Bowel movements haven't been right since having babies.

[Lizbiz89]

I wasn't sure where to post this but I've been having problems with bowel movements since having my dd 2 years ago. Basically it was extremely painful to go for a poo after I had her and I would sometimes bleed. I think it had something to do with the birth as I had to have forceps and an episiotomy. I got it checked and they said it was an anal fissure. I have been on stool softener since as it never really went away.

I've now had my second dc and the problem is still there. I had a great birth with him but when they checked me they said I had torn into my anal canal so they had an consultant check me out. She said that I hadn't torn to my anal canal and it was actually that my anal passage skin was slightly damaged which there was nothing they could do about. She also said this was nothing to do with my second birth.

Has anyone else experienced this at all? I feel like I'm going to have to be on stool softners the rest of my life now. It seems like there is no way this can be treated which is getting me down slightly.

Hi. Your births were natural yes? I know sometimes there's bowel issues after birth but not so long after. I had for a couple of weeks after my c-section. Have you considered a colonoscopy?

Both my births were natural. No I haven't thought about that as I'm sure it's my anal passage. To me it almost feels like when I had my stitches done in my first birth they stitched me too tight? As soon as my stools are harder than normal I struggle to go to the toilet and they're extremely hard to pass. Sorry I know it's TMI!

Bump? Anyone?

Don't worry about TM. Im just sorry i can't be of more help

Really feel for you, OP!

I had piles for about 5 months after birth and found that a mix of drinking natural sauerkraut juice and having psyllium helped softening the stool and helped bowel movement in general. - I suppose that's what the stool softener does, but you could consider natural remedies if you want to slowly come off it?

If there's no medical treatment I suppose all you can do is be nice to your anal passage (I'm not sure hemorrhoid creams would help at all? but definitely helping your stools be as soft as possible to not irritate) and hope that over time it'll improve?

My DD is almost 3 and I got a fissure after natural birth (no actual vaginal tearing but I somehow got a fissure in my bum!). Anyway - it took MONTHS of painful BMs but eventually with the help of a daily stool softener it is pain free and only flares up if I get a bit constipated (which is rare given the stool softeners!) I still take softeners now even 3 years later! So sounds like we have similar problems!

It has put me off having another baby tbh! Did yours get worse during pregnancy? I've always said if I were to have another I'd demand a c section as I just can't risk any more trauma there as I've heard the surgery to fix a chronic fissure has incontinence risks (rare, but that's enough to scare me!).

Hello yes! I think i know what you mean. Had forceps birth (13yrs ago now). I have to keep things very loose or i re-tear. I try to manage by a v healthy fibrey, vegetably diet but i keep movicol on hand a lot too. If i am not careful i end up with a LOT of pain and bleeding, searing pain with me crying. There is a wonder ointment called rectogesic which you apply directly when things are bad, it really helps with the healing (though weirdly gives me bad headaches?!). I was told there was surgery i could have but given the trauma of the birth and recovery i am resistant so i try to keep my poo soft. Lots of fruit and veg, psyllium husks, prunes, orange juice, and senna etc,

Daily glycerin suppositories at a regular time until you’re healed fully and then continue the stool softener afterwards 👍 you’ll have a working peach in no time.

Thanks for the replies! It means so much to me that I am not alone in the poop problems! I also keep a very healthy lifestyle now with lots of fruit and veg and water. I also really don't want surgery due to the risks involved.

@ADogRocketShip Yes I did have some flare ups in my second pregnancy but tbh it was nothing too bad as I would just take my movicol again which would stop it. Also strangely my second birth hasn't worsened the problem at all. Second birth was a dream labour compared to my first (thankfully)!

Has anyone tried flaxseed? I've heard that can help soften your stools.

You should ask to be seen by a gynaecologist. I had a 4th degree tear 4 years ago after emergency forceps delivery with ds. Without going into detail I have a similar issue to yourself, my GP was shocked when I told her how long I had issues afterwards and referred me to a gynaecologist. 4 weeks after my initial appointment I have been booked in for an operation with a bowel specialist.
I'm not saying it's the same thing but I would look at getting a gynacologyst appointment

I make a muesli type creation each morning with golden linseeds, flax, psyllium husks, pumpkin seeds sunflower seeds, sultanas, grated apple and ginger and some yogurt and I have noticed it keeps me nice and soft and regular.

Just giving you all an update - I started having a teaspoon of flaxseeds every morning. And since then I haven't had to take any stool softerners! Literally in shock how much it's made a difference. I've also been a lot more regular as well. So anyone going through the same as me give them a go!