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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Why did no one tell me, and does anyone else agree, that worse than labour...

66 replies

bohemianbint · 24/04/2008 11:07

...was going for a wee afterwards? And the prospect of having to poo, jesus....

I practically needed gas and air to go for a wee, and was told to either do it in the bath (nice) or pour tepid water with lavender oil in it over ruined fanjo whilst weeing.

Don't get me started on the fear of pooing afterwards, I think I put it off for days.

Did anyone else find this really awful? Why does no one warn you?!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

sagitta · 24/04/2008 11:41

Charming!
I'll let you know if second time is better, BB - here's hoping. I was really glad I didn't shit in labour last time - hopefully same again this time...
oh, the indignity of it all...

MrsTittleMouse · 24/04/2008 12:03

Oh, I was told. I had read enough MN threads that I was well prepared and had my branflakes at the ready!
Funnily enough, an Ex-BF asked me if I had any tips for his wife, who was PG after me, and I honesting thought that branflakes was the best thing that anyone had told me, but I thought that it was probably TMI.

aurorec · 24/04/2008 12:07

Cyteen I crapped mid-labour... I could smell it, although no-one obviously commented on it. I have to say in a sick way I thought it was funny.
I'd had a conversation previously with a friends who nearly didn't have children because of the whole poo-in-labour thing, so I thought it was rather appropriate I did it.

Honestly at the time I was too busy concentrating on other things, I didn't have time to get upset or embarrassed about it!

beforesunrise · 24/04/2008 13:10

the labour breathing came in v handy for that first poo.... as for weeing i just squirted water from a plastic while doing the deed, it helped loads

Popilol · 24/04/2008 13:22

Oh yes, post birth toilet activity is not good. I'd hoped I'd forgotten it all.

I had a 3rd degree tear after first baby and had to be stitched up - nearly more traumatic than birth. Wasn't allowed out of hospital until I'd poo-d - it took me 2 days. I was given laxilose which was a great help. I think my greatest loss of dignity came when an obstetric physio came to watch me doing pelvic floor exercises - she was squatting on floor and I was lying on side on bed bare-bummed. I still can't quite believe it happened!

A mere 2nd degree tear with next baby and not nearly the same trauma afterwards!

whinegums · 24/04/2008 13:57

PinkTulip, you cut your own stitches with nail scissors??!!!!!!!! I feel faint....

I'm dreading this bit after birth (no prior experience, but have read lots of posts on MN about toilet trips). I'm taking fibresure into hospital with me, and intend to have it in juice or water as soon as I've popped. Dried fruit during labour too for energy and ahem, roughage. And a squeezy bottle to fil with water and lavender and tea tree oils to rinse bits as peeing. Thank God for MN, I would never ever have known these things otherwise!!

PinkTulips · 24/04/2008 14:46

well, one got torn out and i snipped the other when i realised the other side suddenly felt better without the stitch(labial stitches... both my babies came out with their arms over their facesand ripped me widthwise )

was away from home, 3 weeks post partum and still unable to sit for more than a minute at a time.... seemed like the logical solution at the time

OrmIrian · 24/04/2008 14:50

It was awful. Everything hurt and I could just about get myself comfortable in bed with pads all over everything and the baby fed and sleeping peacefully when I had to go to the bathroom and brace myself for someone pouring acid and razor blades all over my poor battered fanjo.

I had monstrously large babies though and tore or was cut each time.

JulesJules · 24/04/2008 15:05

Acid and razor blades v apt description, OrmIrian, I'm puckering at the memory... I had an epi gone bad, and honestly the only way I could wee without crying was to do it in the bath, with teatree oil in the bath. Pooing not as bad. After a CS, second time though, no pain at all, bliss.

MrsMattie · 24/04/2008 15:09

Going for a poo post c-section = frightening experience!

cyteen · 24/04/2008 15:36

I'm never having sex again

Idobelieveinfairies · 24/04/2008 15:46

I agree, weeing and pooing is very scary after giving birth. I was told to drink lots and lots of water to keep wee as diluted as possible as well as weeing in the bath, jug of water etc.

I lied and said i'd had a bowel movement so i could leave hospital...there was no way i could have gone for a number 2 in the ward toilet. It took me hours to actually do the 'deed' at home, i couldn't have hogged the toilet like that in maternity!....

I found sniffing pepper to make me sneeze helped out lots ..i know! but i was to scared to push

with baby no.2 i didn't have stitches just labial grazes...these were equally as stingy...but it didn't last long.

Was so nice after having a c-sec not having to worry about the toilet issue....just the laughing one!

Amapoleon · 24/04/2008 15:49

Here in Spain they give you a little pot of mashed up prunes/raisins and I'm not sure what else to help you. I think it's a great idea.

caramelbunny · 24/04/2008 15:50

BillyElliot so glad you only thought about taking a picture, hardly one for the album!

I too did a massive poo and as piles only popped out after birth (serves me right for being smug about not getting them during pregnancy!) it was agony. Was having to concentrate on my breathing, panting gently and wishing for gas and air as tears rolled down my face.

Well done for the thread cyteen, they should make school girls read this as a way to reduce teen pregnancies.

PortAndLemon · 24/04/2008 16:20

IME people do tell you, in somewhat graphic detail .

I don't think it's worse than labour, but it lasts longer, and you have to do it again and again, and no one stands around congratulating you or making you cups of tea for managing it...

(JulesJules, my MIL had an epi gone bad too. She says that "oops!" is not something you want to hear from the doctor doing an episiotomy...)

whinegums · 24/04/2008 16:21

Hey PinkTulips, no need to be embarassed, I salute your bravery (and steady hand!). But now am wincing at your 'widthwise' rips - haven't heard of that before either. Goodness me.

Caramelbunny, ha ha, agree that school girls should read this - if I'd read it in advance, I wouldn't be in this position right now! (Not that I'm a school girl, that was a LONG time ago!)

VictorianSqualor · 24/04/2008 16:23

I've had sections but still was petrified of pooing.

The afterpains this time round were the most painful thing i've ever felt.

cyteen · 24/04/2008 16:30

@ P&L.

I think I will demand cups of tea and congratulations for the first five or six times

Twinkie1 · 24/04/2008 16:31

I have just had an episiotomy repair and the pooing part is easy - the weeing is ike pissing sulphuric acid at the moment!

Pooing after DS was a nightmare as I had an anul fissure - I have to say that was worse then weeing and worse then giving birth - had to be on painkillers and steroids for ages for it to heal!

OUCH!

Scampmum · 24/04/2008 16:42

I'm with VS - afterpains were the worst for me (worse than labour). Finally managed the number 2 this morning (DD2 born on Monday!) and it wasn't too awful (glad I read the stuff from the NHS about holding my perineum, weird experience but sure it helped!), though I have hardly been helping myself otherwise by eating everything I can see. The stitches (first degree tear) are quite bad but much less bad than the episiotomy last time. Weeing is fine if I've drunk enough water, really painful if I haven't.

Also lied about going to the loo to get out of hospital!

cyteen · 24/04/2008 16:48

Congratulations Scampmum! On your daughter, not your pooing, obv

Scampmum · 24/04/2008 16:52

I deserve congratulations for both! Have taken more photos of daughter, though...

(that's more than none, in case you were wondering)

Thank you, though. She's incredible!

beakas · 24/04/2008 17:05

good god you lot, am now petrified!! I have read that it helps to wee onto a sanitary pad, or am I just hoping?

PortAndLemon · 24/04/2008 17:08

Once you have given birth and knackered your pelvic floor you'll be grateful to be able to wee anywhere other than onto a sanitary pad every time you laugh, cough, sneeze...

I jest. Well, mostly...

OrmIrian · 24/04/2008 17:13

I found that a jug of warm water poured over the ahem ..affected area... whilst peeing really helped.

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