Tips for Pooping after C-section

Pooping after a c-section is very different to pooping after a vaginal birth. You’ve just gone through major abdominal surgery and it can take your bowels a few days to wake up - you may notice you have lots of wind as your bowels adjust, don’t hold it in! Let the gas out and you’ll feel better for it..

#1 - Stool Softeners

For some women, it can take three to four days before you feel the urge to poop and if you’ve had opioid pain medication or significant blood loss you could find yourself constipated with hard stools. You may have been discharged from hospital with stool softeners, if you feel it’s hard and you’re going to need to strain then take them. Pooping can be very painful when the stool is firm and you won’t have the strength in your abdominals to bear down as you may have done before. So if you have stool softeners…take them.

#2 Get a “Stool for your Stool”

Have your knees up when you sit on the loo. Put a small step or a pile of books in front of the loo so your feet and knees are raised and this squatting position will help it come out easier (Mounsey, 2015).

#3 Say “Grrrrrrrrrr”

When you say “Grrrrrrr” you relax your pelvic floor and prevents breathe-holding and straining. Some of your pelvic floor muscles wrap around your anus so breathing and relaxing your pelvic floor will help you to go.

#4 Pants to Ankles

Pull your underwear down to your ankles. This allows you to have your knees wide apart which opens things up and relaxes your pelvic floor muscles.

#5 Stay Hydrated

Drink lots of water to soften the poop. With your bowels being sluggish the poop will sit in the descending colon longer and more water will be absorbed from it leading to it being firmer. Water will help hydrate the stool making it softer and easier to pass. One study found drinking 1.5 - 2L per day improved constipation (Mounsey, 2015).

#6 Eat Enough Fibre

While recovering from your c-section you’re not as active as you were and this can add to the sluggish bowels. Gradually introduce more fibre in to your diet, if you do it all at once, without enough water, this can lead to bloating. Some high-fibre foods include:

1. Whole Grains: Brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat pasta, and whole grain bread.

2. Fruits: Berries, apples, pears, oranges, and bananas.

3. Vegetables: Leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts.

4. Legumes: Lentils, beans, chickpeas, and peas.

5. Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and pumpkin seeds.

#7 Bathroom After Meals

After a meal, sit on the loo and see what happens. Eating stimulates a reflex which helps move the food along the digestive tract. Trying to poop after a meal may be more successful than at other times so it’s worth a go (Mounsey, 2015).

#8 Don’t rush

Don’t push and strain on the loo. Give yourself 10-15 minutes rather than rushing. Yes, you may need to take your baby with you but this is far better than rushing to go.

As always, if you need to get in touch please Whatsapp / text on 07970 807625.

See you soon

Felicity x