Becoming Constipated after giving birth

[lorenare]

I gave birth seven weeks ago and ever since that day i have not been able to go to the bathroom (to do number 2) without the help of a laxative....i could be an entire week and more without going i have never had this problem before giving birth or even during pregnancy...has anybody experienced this? I dont want to get used to laxatives but right now it is the only thing that helps...anybody else?

 

[Noo]

Go see your doctor. It is normal to take a week or 2 to settle back into some kind of routine bowel wise but you shouldn't need laxatives for 7 weeks.

 

[Bonnie11]

Did you have a c section? It can take longer fir your bowels to settle, though I agree you should go see your doc. I eat a couple of prunes every morning and it really helps, never had this problem before my c section!

 

[shanny]

i had this ( no c section )- took maybe 10 weeks - and disappeared - used a bit of laxative to keep it going but just stopped on own in end

 

[chicky160]

I'm still having issues six months on! Partly due to a front to back episiotomy. My bm's have never been the same again deffo speak to the dr. I practically live on lactulose now because of the constipation and pain x

 

[lorenare]

I didnt have a c section....i will have to see a doctor then...thank you!

 

[Teri7489]

What sort of food are eating? Try to alter your diet and reduce your laxative intake as they can make your bowel lazy therefore need the tablets longer and longer. Grapefruit and prunes are great for getting your bowel moving and softening stool, but eating a high fibre diet helps to bulk up your stools which encouraged your bowel to move quicker therefore helping to prevent constipation. You can buy bran in raw form to add to cereal which is very good for easing constipation. And remember to drink PLENTY water!!! Xx

 

[mamaduke]

Are you on any iron pills? If so, those could be part of the constipation problem.

With DS1, I had to take an iron pill at least through the 6 weeks pp. The constipation I had pp was a lot worse than what I had during pregnancy.

This time around, I need to take an iron pill twice a day through the next 6 weeks pp, as I'm that anemic. I also am taking two stool softener pills once a day to help keep things moving down there, at the recommendation of my OB team.

Just something else to consider with pp constipation...

 

[Mommy1414]

Hey Hun, I feel your pain!!! I was a c section and had a horrible time for about 8 weeks afterwards going to the loo! I cried and actually thought if have to phone an ambulance cause I was soooo afraid I ripped my internal stitches!! I was put on lactulose, senekot and given an emergency enema to use if it got super bad.. I then tried having a full glass of prune juice in the morning followed by a bottle of 7up just after (something about the bubbles in it just works!) It takes about 2 hours but you'll feel it working!! And oh my gosh, the relief!! It's a more natural laxative so now I just drink a small glass each day and a couple of glasses of water and I'm feeling much better... Hope this helps! x

 

[TCK_Runner]

I had problems until week 3 or 4 and used lactulose, but things got better after that. I wonder if it's related to water intake? I started drinking coffee again but I need to balance it out because I'm breastfeeding and pumping too, so I drink at least two liters of water most days on top of coffee and herbal tea. Sometimes I get a bit of juice in there or Perrier.

BTW if you are breastfeeding be careful with the bran if your baby has had gas issues as it has caused my daughter some issues. Maybe try a bit first to see if it works for you and baby before buying straight up bran and eating a lot of it.

 

[lorenare]

Just wanted to update on this topic....it has been almost 6 months pp and i am no longer constipated lol! I dont go as usual as i used to before pregnancy but it is so much better than those first weeks pp

 

[jerryjo]

Just wanted to update on this topic....it has been almost 6 months pp and i am no longer constipated lol! I dont go as usual as i used to before pregnancy but it is so much better than those first weeks pp

Pleased to hear it's back to normal - I have opposite prob going too much and loose and I'm 5 weeks post partum - just wondered how long it took for you to return to normal? X

 

[chicky160]

Ahh that's great to hear. Mine still has a little flare up but nowhere near as bad as those early days.

 

[claudinator]

I had a fourth degree tear and I couldn't tmi "push". And I had transfusions and was on allot of iron. Pelvic floor, lots of water and fybogel.