Question about digestion and bowel movements after c section

[fashionlover]

Hi ladies,
I am to have a scheduled c-section and have a few questions.
This is my first baby and I am pretty nervous about the surgery itself, but mostly nervous about the recovery process. I know that they shift your intestines a bit and it can cause digestion and bowel issues. Would you mind sharing your experience of what it was like post surgery, and if there are any methods that helped you in your healing process??

 

[tristansmum]

To be honest I dont remember having any toilet issues! Good luck with section xxx

 

[_Lexi_]

I had my c section on the Monday, and didn't have a bowel movement till the Friday night. It was a horrendous experience and I was crying and throwing up from the pain, which made my stomach hurt even more. After my experience, I would strongly recommend a stool softner!! Also, from moving everything about, I had awful pain in my shoulder, that I then found out was internal gas pain. If you get it, mention it if you're in hospital, and they should give you peppermint capsules/peppermint tea to help ease the pain x

 

[tristansmum]

I had my c section on the Monday, and didn't have a bowel movement till the Friday night. It was a horrendous experience and I was crying and throwing up from the pain, which made my stomach hurt even more. After my experience, I would strongly recommend a stool softner!! Also, from moving everything about, I had awful pain in my shoulder, that I then found out was internal gas pain. If you get it, mention it if you're in hospital, and they should give you peppermint capsules/peppermint tea to help ease the pain x

Sounds like i was lucky to avoid any problems! Poor you xx

 

[Banshee]

After both my c sections I have been constipated for a few days. I think the pain from the scar and my concerns about not wanting to burst my scar probably made it worse. I think the sooner you can go the better so if you need some medicinal help with that then I would definitely go for it!

 

[Clarabell543]

Deffo buy stool softeners hun. I have always had constipation issues anyway but i didn't poo for days after my op. When i finally did go it was very hard and gave me a tear which three months later still wont go. Don't let yourself get bunged up hun x

 

[Cherrysoul]

First Number 2 after both C-sections was agony, nothing wrong with softness, but i the actual scar /cut killed on pushing, i had to bend (keel) over and hold onto my scar for fear it would rip (which it wont of course) just feels that way, same as coughing and laughing - ouch!!!!

ETA - Standing for the first few times kills too, just take it slow and walk a little hunched over at first.

 

[misspriss]

They gave me stool softeners and gas X in the hospital. I picked up both and took when I got home. The first bowel movement was fine - it was very soft! Unfortunately, could barely reach around to "clean up" back there, because that requires twisting....but I managed. DH was already ready and willing to "assist" if I couldn't...he is GREAT.

When I got home, I was still on pain medicine, but I kind of slacked off on the stool softeners. Big mistake. I had a TERRIBLE BM. I thought I was going to die. It was half in and half out and going nowhere. I cried, I screamed, I bled...it was awful. I started taking more stool softeners after that.

I've been super gassy still, but never anywhere but my gut. Now I have gotten diarrhea over a lot, but I have been stressed and my diet rough. I'm back on hospital/fast food again.

Yesterday I was constipated, but passable. Two hours later, I had diarrhea. Today, still diarrhea.

It has been 2 weeks and 2 days since my EMCS.

 

[LDC]

I didn't have any issues with going to the toilet, I don't go for a few days after, which thy said is normal because everything has been moved around. The only thing I had was gas pains (but these weren't too painful) and it hurt when I laughed, coughed and sneezed.

Xx

 

[kimberleyrobx]

I dont remember my first bowel movement after our eldest but i do remember i had terribly awful indigestion and i couldnt eat a thing because it gave me trapped wind for weeks afterwards! she was born by emergency c-section. With our second my first bowel movement was day 2 post surgery and surprisingly easy, nothing like i thought it would be! and i havent had any indigestion what so ever, although i was kind of hoping i would of had it because after having our eldest, thanks to the indigestion i lost two and a half stone! xx

 

[lisalee1]

I just had my 1st C Section in February. Didn't have a bowel movement until about 3-4 days afterwards, but I didn't have any issues. I kept asking the nurses for stool softeners, but didn't buy any once I left the hospital. I didn't have any gas issues in or out of the hospital.

I think that everyone's experience is difference. Just ask for stool softeners to be on the safe side and you should be good to go! Best of luck! Everything will go great!

 

[MrsHippo]

I had my section two weeks ago. I didn't feel the need to go to the toilet for a couple of days but then when I did I got awful stomach ache. Tried going to the toilet but nothing was happening. I was extremely gassy too (which is normal after a section as when they open you up, you fill with air. So your body absorbs it and releases it as 'fart'. Not pleasant but doesn't last that long). When I did eventually go it wasn't bad at all, was freaked out at first because of the colour - which I think was related to the iron tablets I was on. Stopped them shortly after though.

The pain didn't come until my second bm, I was in agony. You'll find that you do get constipated so when you do eventually go it hurts like hell. I'd also strongly suggest softners - or eat plenty of fibre rich food like bran flakes. As someone else mentioned, it is quite painful to wipe as its difficult to twist. I'd recommend using flushable wipes, they are easier to use than toilet roll. X

 

[katy1310]

I remember being terrified for the first poo. Sophie was born on the Sunday and I didn't go till the Thursday. It was a combination of being a bit constipated from the painkillers and fear of what might happen with the scar etc. When I did finally go it wasn't as bad as I feared but I would recommend a stool softener xx

 

[chasemanzmum]

Hi ladies,
I am to have a scheduled c-section and have a few questions.
This is my first baby and I am pretty nervous about the surgery itself, but mostly nervous about the recovery process. I know that they shift your intestines a bit and it can cause digestion and bowel issues. Would you mind sharing your experience of what it was like post surgery, and if there are any methods that helped you in your healing process??

Try if you can drinking ginger ale it will help the gas come back sooner so you can eat solids sooner. Mine was drug induced atleast for the first 12 hrs afterward. And if you can try doing stuff little by little. Then you can eventually do the bigger stuff. My 2, 3 and 4th c-sections cause I tried doing stuff little by little enabled me to recover faster. Meaning by the 6 week appointment I was doing my normal housework. Keep your incision dry as much as possible. And you are up and moving sooner if you have staples on the outside verses just plain stitches. Good Luck!

 

[baileybubs]

I had an emergency c section last Friday. The hospital have me Lactulose and I took it at first but then after I'd done my first BM and it was fine I decided I didn't need it, mistake!!! I am now still taking it every day coz my 2nd and 3rd BM were after several days and were very hard!! It felt like I was ripping open a wound!
My midwife recommended that when I felt the urge to poop, to make a hot drink (tea or coffee) and take it and a magazine to the toilet and just sit on there. She said dont push coz that will make it worse and just hurt, she said the hot drink should encourage it out but have patience and if you don't go don't force it and try again later. I would definately recommend taking Lactulose twice a day from the day you give birth.

Also as others have mentioned I got terrible gas pain from being opened up, especially in my chest and shoulder. I found peppermint tea really helped or ask the hospital for peppermint tablets or water.

Oh and I bought some of those flushable wet wipe toilet tissues that are moist, they are really good for keeping you clean with the bleeding and being gentle on your bottom.

 

[Elisianna]

I had a bowel movement the day after my c section. I was in the hospital and they gave me stool softeners. When I went home two days later they told me to keep taking stool softeners at home. I never did and I was fine.

 

[misspriss]

Oh and I bought some of those flushable wet wipe toilet tissues that are moist, they are really good for keeping you clean with the bleeding and being gentle on your bottom.

I love these, good suggestion. I use them all the time.

 

[baileybubs]

Oh and I bought some of those flushable wet wipe toilet tissues that are moist, they are really good for keeping you clean with the bleeding and being gentle on your bottom.

I love these, good suggestion. I use them all the time.

My mum suggested them, so glad she did, great for when you feel "delicate" still and they make you feel so much cleaner!