Giving birth is one of the many joys in a woman’s life – except for all the pain that comes with it.
Apart from the birthing process, there are other things that make women want to re-think pregnancy. The first few days and weeks after birth is one that needs preparation (physically and yes, emotionally). Nursing and motherhood issues aside, let’s take a look at a less known subject post-partum: pooping.
Why Preparation Is Essential
Whether you gave birth naturally or had a C-section, your body will never be the same again.
Hormones you thought were at peace will continue to wage, your uterus will still contract (that’s normal), and you may have a hard time doing bathroom duties. The last part is very important as your body slowly goes back to normal. One of the things a lot of women forget due to exhaustion after birth is taking care of themselves.
Messy hair and a sweaty hospital garb is to be expected. But painful pooping days after delivery? Not a lot of people want to talk about it. Perhaps because it’s too embarrassing, or maybe as not many know how agonizing it really can be. A good number of women have reported straining, constipation, and flared hemorrhoids post-partum. Why is this?
After delivery, you’ll be so tired to be bothered with anything: not even yourself. This is especially true if you have little support from friends or family. You will be thinking too much of your newborn to even eat or drink. Plenty of women experience dehydration from not drinking enough fluids days after giving birth. Stress and lack of water causes constipation – leading to hard stool.
This results in painful post-partum pooping.
Don’t Worry – There’s Help
There are women who didn’t have painful poops after delivery due to a number of reasons: it could be that they were well-nourished that their poops are soft enough not to cause any jarring sensation; or they have a high pain tolerance that post-partum pooping was not really an issue. However, not everyone could be so lucky.
So for would-be moms or women looking for pooping relief, here are a few suggestions:
- Now that you know about painful post-partum poop, prepare by doing stretches and Kegel exercises to make your pelvic muscles more flexible.
- Purchase medical essentials: pain relievers, laxatives, poop softeners, cooling pads, etc. ahead of time.
- Avoid food that could harden poop like eggs, cheese, white bread, and processed foods.
- Try a squatting position. Several evidence shows that this position relieves the colon of pressure; making it easier to poop.
- Don’t forget fruits and vegetables. It’s okay to have them excess during this time to help you get additional fiber for softer stool.
- Drink plenty of water. Can’t stress this enough.
- RELAX. Yes, that’s right. There’s no use straining because that could open up your stitches (if you had any) or complicate existing piles.
Go easy on yourself – especially if you have hemorrhoids. Ask someone to stay with you so you can ‘go’ in peace without worrying about your newborn suddenly crying. If you’ve been in pain for a couple of days, it’s wise to call your doctor. Don’t prolong it! Breathe deeply, don’t stress, and pray that it will just…slide out.
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