Restroom

Try chamomile tea. You can buy it at any grocy store and it works VERY gently. I use it anytime I have reflux, upset stomach, or constipation. You may have to drink several cups at first but I it works for me.

Hi K.,
The first time to go after stitches is more mentally painful provided you do it immediately. I too had difficulty for quite some time being able to go on my own. Use an enema from the grocery or pharmacy. The tip can be lubricated with a bit of KY or vaseline. After you do it once, you'll see that it is not as painful as you thought. Eat bran cereal, spinach, sweet potatoes etc. so that you don't get an impaction. As gross as this sounds, if you insert a suppository and it just gets stuck in the stool(poop) it won't make you go. Use the enema until you are less sore. Go at least every other day. Every day would be better and less stressful on the sore tissues. IF you don't have a BM immediately and you get impacted, you will need to talk to the dr. HTH, C.

Ask the doctor if it is ok to take some Milk of Magnesia or the generic version of Gas-X (it's simithicone just like Mylicon drops). My hormones can mess with my system keep me from having a movement and it's like my insides are not working. I really hope that helps. I'm not trying to be gross but you'll want to take baby wipes with you when you finaly go.

Here's hoping.
K.

An enema worked for me.

Try drinking some 100% Grape Juice.

Wow, with so many responses, I am uncertain if someone has already suggested this but here goes. If I had not experienced the exact same thing and was in so much pain that I could not even sit down, I would agree with fiber, liquids and a good walk but in extreme cases I recommend magnesium citrate. It's a liquid in a bottle and only costs about $2.00. I had the original citrus flavor but it also comes in cherry and is like an old fashion soda. The draw back is that it is VERY effective and if you need to be out and about for the next day or two, I would consider something else. It will completely clean out your bowels and turn everything into a sort of black liquid. I mean ick, really, but effective. I had minimal cramping but expected to have some with as backed up as I was. Best of luck, sweetie!

K.,first congrats on the new little one. My son has that problem,we give him Plum Smart juice,taste like grape juice. He loves it a nd it works for him. Good Luck Cindy

Try MiraLax. It has helped everyone that I have talked to.

prunes or prune juice will help, natural and safe. They should have given you some while in hospital if not you can get a small amount at the store. Try it, you may not like the taste at first just drink fast and allow for nature to take its course.

Try eating oranges. This always does the trick for me. If one doesn't work right away, try eating three or four. Good luck, been there.

Hi K.,

I had twins and had the same problem except I went religiously while on the softners, but when they ran out I got seriously consitpated. I had to drink something called magnesium citrate. It is 3 dollars in a glass bottle at walgreens or cvs. I was in severe pain and needed some reliefe fast. I called the pharmacist and he suggested drinking that solution. I drank the enitre bottle (might I suggest drinking half) and BOY did that work. I mean within 15 minutes I was in the restroom. It completely cleaned me out. I would suggest doing that when you have someone there with you to watch your child and don't make any plans to leave the house.

This is serious stuff - and you can ask your doctor about it too. I have taken it only one more time in the last 2 years and only drank half. It has a bitter taste, but instant gratification. good luck

Try drinking hot sweet tea with real sugar, and use suppositories or an enema. I had the same thing after my last one, and it hurts! If it goes too long, you become obstucted and it can mamke you really sick. My mother made me use soap water enemas until I finally got cleaned out. It worked, but was messy and unpleasant. I would use them in the bathtub so I could do it over and over until i got results. I know that sounds nasty, but it really helped. So sorry you are having that problem! I have been there!

Hi there...when I have not gone in a while and need to, I either drink a few swallows of warm ( usually room temp ) water or a normal size cup of coffee. My coffee of choice to drink anyways is General Foods International Coffee. Usually within half an hour or so I am needing to go. Good luck!

Congratulations on your first child!!!!

I had this problem with all 3 of my kids. Especially my daughter that was just born in January. I can say hands down the only thing that worked for me was Milk of Magnesia (4tblspns). The great thing about it is it sucks moisture into what is already ready to come out and makes it softer. Seems it works about 12 hrs later. I was told it was ok to take it while nursing. A previous poster said it might not be. I would ask your Dr.

Keep drinking water! I hope everything works out. I know how stressful that first BM can be.

J.

K.,

Try some good old fashioned Milk of Magnesia. I guarantee it will work. It will make your tummy runny, but you won't rip your stitches. Good luck dear, I know it's miserable. You'll soon forget all about it though:)

C.

Hi K. go back to the dr or just call his office he's the who makes the big bucks todo is job so have him do it
good luck L.

Congrats on your new baby!! I know how hard it can be I was cut with my first, and I too was afraid to go. I took Milk of magnesia. That did the trick!! I had to take it for 2 days, and I did have to push a little. I did not rip or anything. It actually did not hurt at all like I thought. I just sprayed some dermaplast on before I went...numb it up LOL!!! Baby #2 I did not tear or had to be cut at all!!!!

I'm sure you've gone by now, and the responses were full of good advice. I'd add to keep a peri bottle near the toilet so you can fill it with warm water as it may help you relax down there, and when you're trying to relax to go think of mathematical formulas in your head. I know it sounds nuts, but working strings of mathematical combinations has been found to help the muscles relax (i.e., solve 17x42 in your head)--from a nursing prof. in college. It's always helped me as crazy at is sounds!!! All the best.

ok you have received great advice but mine is yummier!
There are 2 things you can eat to help.
#1- sugar free candy.they have a laxative effect.
#2-LAYS LIGHT CHIPS - they have to be LIGHT .The light chips have olestra in them and they do help w/pooping(So much as in my peditrician recommended giving it to my ids in small quantities if the problem happened.
Congrats on your baby and good luck!

eat mostly fruits and veggies for a couple of days, also you can take a fiber cleanse it is a am, pm cleanse it is "Vitamin Shoppe" brand, and there are two bottles. you take one of each pill in the morning and evening on an empty stomach. good luck

Ugh, I feel for you..I suggest Prune juice or actual real prunes...If that is not something that you like, try Pear juice...It does the trick and with the Stool soft, it should work rather quickly, good luck

A doctor I work with tells pts. to warm up six ounces of prune juice drink it and chase it down with the same amount of milk of magnesia. They say it works. Good luck, let me know how it goes.

Hi K.,
What do they have you on? Is it just a stool softner and/or something like metamucil? Take your time when you feel the need to go. Close your eyes with slow easy breathing/ You can also try prunes (I know that sounds yuke). If you have not tried metamucil, perhaps you should, but always check with OB to make sure. You have to drink a lot of water when doing this. I think just the stress of being concerned that you can't go plays a role, in addition to a new baby. Continue the stool softners and await other moms advice. They may of some ideas that may do the trick! But, again, make sure it's on your postpartum list, especially if you are nursing (usually most softners, laxative, etc... are not contraindicated, but check). One more suggestion, make a pot of strong coffee and see if this helps. As they say, "this too shall pass!" Best to you and your new family.

It wont hurt and it wont rip your stitches. I was worried about the same thing. Just relax you just gave birth to a baby your stool wont hurt anything like that. Its all normal again I promisse. I am pretty sure that I just went normaly ( i pushed ) . Good luck

I was cut from hole to hole so i know how you feel i would sit in a warm sits bath the ones that sit on the toilet so that would relieve some of the pressure I went in there then cleaned it out with rubbing alcohol and did another one to clean my self
Good luck
J.

Hi K.,

I see that you have some good advice. But I am going to give you mine. I hope this works. What the other moms tell you works good, but what we do in a case like this is we take a tablespoon of Olive Oil. It tastes nasty, but it works wonders. Also please make sure that you drink lots of water. I sure hope this helps. I know this helps us. Good Luck and Congratulations on your baby! Have fun, they grow up so fast. Mine just turned one and I don't know where the time went. Take care!

Congratulations on the birth of your new little one. My recommendation is warming some prune juice and add a shot of MOM (Milk of Magnesia). It works like magic. Take something to read and relax while it works as you sit on the throne in a spare moment when the little one gives you a break.

There were way too many responses to read so if i am repeating things from others I am sorry...keep drinking lots water, juice and maybe even tea if you like it. add more fiber to your diet and try not to consume too many dairy products until you are regular again. if you are not breast feeding you can take an OTC stool softener from Wal-Mart, just make sure it is a softener and not a laxitive... also if you are feeling up to it, try taking a morning or evening stroll, the little bit of "exercise" you will get from that will help you out too...I remember those days and it was horrible, but can be fixed...bless your heart, hope you get to feeling better soon.

K. isn't it funny, how no one mentions this IMPORTANT piece of advice? Don't worry, same thing happened to me. The best advice is to eat plenty of foods with fiber and continue to take the softners. Eat, cereal with fiber, wheat products, fruit, drink lots of water, etc. It will pass eventually. Don't worry, it will not interfere with your stitches. A sitz bath can also help. Just be patient!!

Get it under control! I did not go for a week after I had my baby and it was so painful when I finally went. I just had to do it...and I had lots of stitches! My baby was hospitalized for jaundice a few days after she was born and I couldn't relax enough in the hospital with her to go. Use an enema or something, or talk with your doctor about the max number of stool softeners you can take in one day! I had lots of tears about that whole situation, and I feel for you. Good Luck!!!

I know this doesn't sound very tasty but drink a glass of warm water. I put an 8 ounce glass in the microwave for a minute and mix in a teaspoon of honey and little squeeze of lime. Drink it down quickly (as quickly as you can considreing it's warm) and do this first thing in the morning. It's an Indian thing-my husband's from India. It helps you go and it also helps lose weight. It's an auyervedic treatment. I have that and about 5 or 6 prunes in the morning. It helps me. I had a c-section in Jan and had the same problem you are having. This helped me go and still does when I have trouble. Good luck!

go to the grocery store or drug store and get a bottle of magnesium sitrate, drink the whole bottle it will work fast. I had to do it when I had my hestorecatmy two years ago. Its what the doctor suggested. Hope that helps. be blessed.

PRUNE JUICE...works great. Don't drink too much because it will give you the runs. Try out 1 glass first, and I'm sure within an hour or two the trick is done.

Do the old fashion thing and boil some prunes. They're really good but if you don't like them boiled just eat them out of the bag. A banana will loosen your bowls and make you go but it may upset your stomach. Also try drinking some Castoria. I give my kids that once a week to keep their bowls regular and soft.

I would eat oatmeal! Lots and lots of oatmeal! That stuff is a natural laxative in my opinion-even though it is nasty! I was scared to death too- so I feel your pain. Good luck- and when it does "happen" it won't be as bad as you think. I was petrified when I saw all that was involved after I had my son- but it will get better. Make sure you are taking your sitz baths too. I thought I didn't need it and ended up going through some unnecessary discomfort- because I thought I was tough enough. Just my two cents! Good luck and Congrats on your little bundle of joy!

Miralax works for me. You could also just give yourself an enema to get things going.

HI K.! So sorry to hear about this. It is no fun. The same thing happened to me with my 2nd baby. Did you have a C-section? I had a C-section and felt the same way..very constipated, feeling like I had to go but couldn't. It was about 2 weeks before I went AND it totally hurt. Keep taking your stool softners.. it the best advice I can give you. Don't push, just wait and scream it out! Hopefully, you won't have that much pain. Good Luck with that precious little one!!

Try taking walks throughout your home and eat food with lots of fiber. Continue to drink lots of water. Also, try taking Surafax, which is a stool softener. You also can try a fleet enima. These are the things that helped me when I was very constipated. I do agree don't push too hard. If you don't get any results within 24hrs, call you physician. You don't want to have a bowl obstruction.

Eat PLENTY of veggies and fruit when all else fails! I know that can be extremely uncomfortable and I am sure you are scared too! Also anything high in fiber will help...eventually things will get back to normal!!

I've always had a problem with that. I tried taking Milk of Magnesia, but couldn't stomach it. You might want to try eating Fiber One Cereal, Raisin Bran, or buy a bottle of fleet. You can purchase the bottle of fleet at any grocery or drug store. Follow the directions on the box and mix it with Sprite or 7-UP.

Good Luck.

Rosie

K.,

First, you need to be sure that you are drinking enough water. As a new mother, I recommend that you check with your doctor about any supplement/chemical. But our physician recommends Miralax for both my husband and me. You can get Miralax at your pharmacy or grocery store (Sam's carries it.) It softens the stool, adds some bulk and helps your system to retain enough water in your stool to prevent constipation.

Miralax directions recommend drinking a glass (or bottle) of water at the time you take it, but we think that depends on your regular water consumption and the amount of other liquids you are drinking at the time. Miralax is a dry powder that you mix into any liquid, like coffee or hot tea. We mix it with our first cup in the morning (although you can certainly dissolve it into any other liquid that you drink, whether hot or cold, and take it at any hour of the day. It mixes in completely and does not change the consistency of your beverage. The instructions recommend a "Capful" (which is up to an "indicator" line on the cap); this is about 1 TBLS.

My hubbie and I recommend taking only about 1 teaspoon daily (or even every other day). No matter what dosage you take (as long as you do not take MORE than the recommended daily capful), it never seems to cause diarrhea, in case your are worried about that. The point is, just get some and start taking it. Play around with the amount that benefits YOUR system. Our doctor says EVERYONE should be taking fiber supplements because with today's processed foods, no one gets enough.

Cheers,
K.

best remedy is Fiber One cereal. eat a lot of it...add some berries or honey if it's not sweet enough. If you don't like it as cereal..mix it in w/ yogurt. I'd even add some flax seeds. you can find them in the vitamin/health area at the grocery store. That and A LOT of water...like 4 co-pilots equals one gallon...yes that much! Just don't forget to add a little salt to your food due to all the water.
I had the same issue in delivery. A baby boy @ 8lb7oz (my little one) I swear he came out horizontal. The dr said she did a 'vaginal c-section' on me! That and the swelling from two catheters and hemmroids just about killed me! Keep on taking the stool softeners. And I know this sounds really disgusting...but I was so scared my episiotomy sp? stitches would rip...I literally held myself together when I had to 'go'. The pain killers/epidural really mess w/ your intestines. Once you get things moving..you shouldn't have a problem again. Best of luck. (Avoid red meat, cheese, red wine, and turkey while constipated...it makes it worse or is the source of a lot people's probs)

I went through the same thing. I was terrified of the first "#2" after having my daughter (fear of ripping stiches from pushing). But let me say that all those softners will work in time. The anaesthesia is what causes the constipation. If it becomes to bad you could do an enima. But like I said it will happen on its own. I think mine took a week or longer, which began to really scare me, being a regular "daily" kinda of gal. You could also try Fiber One cereal and bars. Hope this helps. ~M.

K.,
If you have been following all the good advice, then I think your anxiety is probably contributing to your inability to evacuate. Sleep replenishes the serotonin in your intestines and stress causes your muscles to tense and 'spasm', making it difficult for you to move its contents. Too much fiber (miralax, prunes, stool softeners and the like will add bulk in your body but it doesn't guarantee you will be able to move that through your system).
In addition to ensuring that your stool WILL be soft and won't cause any discomfort, take some miralax which is the best and gentlest supplement, only recently available without a prescription, the best you can do is :
1. Ask someone to watch the baby (baby's dad?) so you can get uninterrupted sleep for at least 7-8 hours AND for
2. Get a cup of warm caffeine-free tea or water (cold has the effect of putting butter in the refrigerator on the contents of your digestive tract, a magazine or inspirational book, a CD player with your favorite music (it doesn't have to be classical or nature music, just something that relaxes YOU) and plan on sitting in the toilet undisturbed for at least 30' to an hour . I know it sounds silly, but the muscles in the intestines respond adversely to anxiety, which most new moms have due to the anticipated pain from passing anything near the stitches as well as the stress of the life-altering event of caring for a new born while trying to bounce back and be a good partner as well.
Good luck!

When i had my C-section 3 years ago, the doctor told me that walking around will help and then you may want to eat lots of fresh fruit. If all fails, call your Dr. and let him know that you are still not able to go and he will give the best advise.
Best of Luck!
J.

If you're feeling the urge but can't go, there might be a blockage, like a hemorrhoid...or something intestinal. Get it checked out just to be sure.

get milk of magnesia right away and drink it. you will not tear your stitches with this. good luck. i took his after day 3 and it really got things cleaned out without any pain.

K.,

Keep taking stool softeners and eat some prunes or prune juice. Start with 1 or 2 before bed, and if that doesn't produce, try 3 or 4 the next evening. But don't take more than 6 or it'll be unpleasant. You can also spread out eating them throughout the day instead of all at once, or buy the juice instead of the dried fruit.

Although fiber (fruits, veggies, metamucil) are all good for you and high in fiber, they'll also produce gas so I'd just get 'it' out first, as painlessly as possible.

Good luck and congratulations!

Well, I don't know how bad you tore, but I had 18 stitches and I didn't have any pain with my first bm after delivery. I was a little worried about it, but I had no problem. I took my stool softener, I think it was ducolax and it took a good 7 or 8 days before I went. So just don't worry about it. Take your stool softener and you will go. Congratulations on your new little one, I love it when they are so tiny!! We just celebrated my boys 1st b-day today, the time flies before you know it :)

try metamucil or something like that -- for a more natural method, use a very pure (powered form) of vitamin c - try "perque" brand (i get it from my acupuncturist) - take a 1/2 a teaspoon several times thru the day - it works - really - i have used both methods myself b/c i had horrible constipation after my third child - and, keep drinking all that water too - best of luck - sorry you're having to go thru this

GO tonight and get MIRALAX, it does not cramp you. It help me when I had my hysterectomy. Now it's over the counter. When the Dr prescribed it he said take it 3times daily until you become regular. This is the only thing that help.

Try Flax seed it really works out well. U can put in ur coffee or other things to. Don't use to much ok.

Mom of 3 girls

I had the same problem. Try tea. Go the a chinese herb store. pick anyone up and down Bellaire Blvd. They will give you some tea. You will go in about 8 hours. That is what I did and then my ankle swelling went down too.

There is an herbal tea called "Smooth Move" you can get at H.E.B. It works wonderfully. Good Luck!!!

Try Colon Clenz.

Lots of luck

Keep drinking plenty of water and add some good fiber to your diet. I have had really good success with Uncle Sam Cereal (top shelf; red, white, and blue box). I eat it whenever I feel anything slowing down.

It has whole flax seeds which helps make everything a little more slippery. It is a good source of protein too! I put dried cranberries in mine.

I didn't get constipated until about a week after I had the baby, but when I did...I felt like I was giving birth all over again. It feels worse than it really is, so you shouldn't have to worry too much about your stitches.

Before I had children a friend once told me she used all her birthing breathing exercises to poop after childbirth. We all laughed and thought she was crazy, but then I found out it's true! So part of you is not able to poop because you are afraid too. Drink some prune juice (try it warm if the taste bothers you) and then breathe and relax and do some nice gently abdominal twists laying on your back on the floor.
Lay off the dairy products and drink herbal tea and warm things for your belly. (Cold foods can slow/block digestion time, too.)

Kate,
If you are not nursing the baby, you can try this it really works. The hospital nursing staff gave this to me when I had surgery. They called it a morning cocktail. Take a small can of prune juice, mix it with some milk of magnesia and heat in the microwave. Drink it all down. Good luck.

Kayro corn syrup! Put it on your waffels or pancakes and eat till your heart is content and if you are worried that it won't work drink a glass of oj with it. If you are nursing it won't hurt the baby at all. When you decide to put the baby on food and the baby gets constipated it works great for the baby too.

This may sound crazy.. but graham crackers always help me.. and I drink lots of liquid at the same time.

K.-- I'm not sure what they have you taking, but they told me to take Colace, and it worked for me. Maybe it's worth a try?

Hi K.
The first poop is a scary proposition, right??
My provider had me take Floradix (liquid iron supplement, available at Sun Harvest or Whole Foods) It has a ton of B vitamins and Iron mixed in a citrus blend. It's great for energy when breastfeeding or pregnant, I mean great- I can tell when I haven't taken it for a week or so. Anyway, a great side effect is that it is non-constipating unlike regular iron supplements, and it actually makes you go poop within the hour. I switched to this from my pre-natal vitamins and haven't had a problem since. You'll love it. Keep taking the stool softners, too, for now. Good luck
P.

We use Miralax at the first sign of any constipation. It's gentle enough for little kids, so I'm sure it'll be great for you. Good luck!

I used a dose of milk of magnesiun

Hey K.,

Yes the fun things that follow childbirth. Try getting a few of the small cans of Apricot juice. Drink one and see if it helps, if not drink a couple. I had the same problem and my doctor told me Apricot juice is really high in fiber.

It was an answer to my prayers....

Good luck,
Debra

Prune juice. That did the trick for me. I was desperate and drank two glasses of juice one right after the other and I literally had to run to the bathroom after that. It doesn't taste good, but hopefully you will only have to drink it twice like I did.
Good luck!

Ugh, I know how you feel...it is scary and painful.

I am not sure of what stool softeners they have told you to take, but the ONLY thing that worked for me after I had my baby was Surfak. You can get it at any local store. Any other softener I took just seemed to make things worse and made me cramp.

I also took Metamucil caplets- not the yucky drink but the capsules, 2 capsules per day- because they do not cause cramping or diarrhea.

Take those for 24 hours and then after your sitz bath, just relax. Pushing really does make things so much worse.

Your stitches will be fine!
The many joys of motherhood...luckily this phase lasts less than a week! :-)
S.

Hi K.,

A lot of the advice you've gotten is really great. I just wanted to add that after I had my son, my midwife suggested that I take some gauze or a folded up pad and put some counter-pressure on my perineum while pooping. It was a little weird to have my hand down there but the counter pressure helped relieve my fear about hurting my stitches and helped the tear hurt less when pooping. I did push a little bit because I needed to to get it going at first. :)

Also, I swear by raw almonds in helping me stay regular.

Good luck and congratulations on your new baby!

G.
mama to Nathaniel (12-14-07)

Congrats on your little one! Just a quick note about prunes. (If you plan on trying a more natural approach.) Everyone's saying they taste gross, but there are some that have the flavor of other fruit added in. (Sunsweet brand I think?) My favorite is the one with "orange essence", they taste like oranges! I get them for a treat sometimes, very sweet and yummy! Good luck!

I had the same problem you are facing (I had my little one on May 11th) and those stool softeners did nothing for me. I actually had to take Milk of Magnesium 3 times within a 24-hour period (which is a ton) in order for me to finally go. Talk to your dr first about it and make sure he's/she's ok with it. But it was the only thing that worked for me. They are right, don't push b/c it can affect your stitches. I hope that you get some relief soon!

Hey K., I know exactly what you mean. I think everyone has that fear about ripping. When I had my first child back in February I asked my Dr and she said that I shouldn't worry about tearing the stiches, that they are in ther pretty tight. I can honestly say that it will be pretty uncomfortable the first time, but it will get better and better. It took me about a week before I made a BM too. My only advise is to just relax and take your time :)

P.S. you will have to push a little just don't "force it"

i had the same problem, i was terrified to go to the bathroom, and i was constipated.
i took milk of magnesia which is safe when you are breastfeeding, it worked really well.
it turned out i had to push a little, but it did not tear my stitches, or hurt me in the vaginal department!

my baby is three months old now
they told me to drink water and all that but it didnt work and neither did metamucil, and stool softeners were a waste of time.