My struggle with constipation after labor delivery
‘Did you have any bowel moment or not?’ queried my doctor the very next morning after my labor delivery. I declined casually. Anyway, who is desperate to poop after a harrowing trauma of passing a person out of their body. So, my story of constipation after labor delivery just started from that moment.
She again came in the next morning and uttered the same question.
‘Not yet doc’ -I replied, but a bit worried this time. I wondered about the fate of fresh stitches while pooping or what if I am constipated by any chance. How will I ever be able to poop? Last night before hitting the sack, the nursing staff gave me a mild stool softener, but it didn’t seem to help much.
My horrifying thoughts were interrupted when the doc told me to relax and confirm by evening if I am able to poop or not. Thank God, that same afternoon I pooped and it was not so dreadful as I visualized. Maybe the stool softener worked its charm. I excitedly gave the good news to the doc on her afternoon round itself.
It turned out later that my maternity hospital doesn’t discharge the new moms before their first poop! I suppose that most of the doctors wait for this moment,preferably to make sure that everything went on well with the delivery, and new mom is on the road to recovery.
My one month after delivery flew past like a breeze with regard to my bowel moments as they were regular and smooth. But later on, I neglected my food intake and even my sleep went on for a toss caring for the baby. I was so wrong to assume that everything is back on track and recovery is almost done. This self-neglect resulted in me being a constipated new mom, which I didn’t have to face even once in my entire pregnancy.
After some initial research, I came to know that constipation is quite a common condition after delivery as our body goes through a lot of hormonal and physical changes. Fortunately, with my elders’ guidance, I overcame postpartum constipation and now I am not intimidated by going to the toilet anymore.
It is imperative for new moms to follow certain measures which will help them to prevent constipation in the first place and cure mild ones if they face any.
Below I have recommended a few methods which will surely help you with constipation troubles after the labor delivery, as I have greatly benefited from these tips.
Prevention of Constipation:
1. Eat soaked dry fruits first thing in the morning:
Soak a handful of figs(2)walnuts(2 to 3), raisins(5 or 6) dates(2) in the night. Soak 5 to 6 almonds separately as you need to peel it off. This was my first mini-meal before breakfast. Trust me, this works wonders for your digestive system.
2.Consume high fiber foods throughout the day:
Make sure that you include high fiber raw fruits with peel such as apple, guava, banana. Any fruit which starts with “P” such as pears, papaya, prunes, plums, and peaches always helps. But remember, they should not be consumed after but 30 minutes or 1 hour before your meal. Avoid eating fruits at night.
Also include freshly cooked vegetables, beans, legumes, oatmeal in your meal.
3.Take milk with flaxseed before hitting the bed:
Flaxseed is rich in fiber. Try to include a spoonful of roasted and grounded flaxseed with warm milk before retiring for the day.
4.Chew your food properly
Digestion starts in the mouth. If you chew your food properly, it gets more exposure to your saliva which in turn aids in better digestion. Research suggests that food should be chewed until your mouthful of food is liquefied.
5.Eat small portions of food at regular intervals:
Breastfeeding mothers are often suggested to eat a large meal for the production of more breastmilk. It’s true that you should eat a well balanced and nutritious diet but don’t load yourself with a lot of food in one go. This slows down digestion. Moreover, your body is still recovering after delivery, so give it an ample amount and less fuel to burn at one go.
6.Drink lots of warm water:
Buy an insulated water bottle if you don’t have any. This will ensure that even if you are waking up at night, you can have warm water handy. This will aid in digestion. Avoid cold water until 6 months of delivery.
7.Consume caffeinated drinks in moderation:
2 cups of coffee or tea are okay in a day but don’t take more than that. Too much consumption of caffeinated beverages can increase anxiety, stress, and restlessness. This in turn can interfere with your sleep and eventually, your bowel movements will be the sufferer.
8. Proper sleep/rest is mandatory:
Don’t trade your sleep with any other activity. A well-rested body always has a better bowel movement in the morning and this is my personal experience.
9.Avoid prolonged sitting or standing:
Don’t sit or stand at a place for more than 30 minutes. As a new mom, we are not as energetic as before but try to change your position after every 30 minutes or so. It could be as simple as getting up to fetch yourself a glass of water or folding up your laundry.
10.Some physical activity/kegel exercises is a must:
A little bit of strolling at a slow pace, even in your home can help with the bowel moments. But take the advice of your doctor before engaging in any strenuous activity.
Kegel exercises are very helpful to strengthen pelvic muscles after a vaginal delivery.
Cure for constipation after labor delivery
1.Psyllium husk is a wonder remedy for constipation:
Isabgol or psyllium husk is a natural laxative that can provide you relief from constipation. It is just insoluble fiber and can be safely consumed. Don’t rush and buy any psyllium husk/Isabgol available in the market. Read the ingredients carefully before purchasing as most of the brands contains 50% sugar and only 50% husk. I suggest going with Exotica Brand as it does not contain any sugar in it and is most effective.
Add 1 or 2 teaspoons of psyllium husk in a cup of water and consume it before going to bed. Make sure that you finish it off with a glass of plain water as adding more fiber to your diet demands more water for it to be digested.
If you prefer you can even consume it with a cup of milk.
3. Take cumin water in the morning:
Boil a teaspoon of cumin seeds with a glass of water. Leave it overnight. Strain the cumin seeds and drink this water on an empty stomach in the morning. This can get you relief from constipation.
4. Fennel tea is also effective:
Add half teaspoon of ground fennel (saunf) seeds in a cup of hot water. Sip this water one hour after your meals, preferably 3 times a day.
5. Iron supplements can cause constipation:
New moms generally take Iron supplements but this can call for constipation troubles. Consult with your doctor if you can stop the iron supplements until the situation improves.
Important Note: Never strain and spend more than 5 minutes in the toilet seat waiting for it to happen
If u feel that the stool is hard to pass then don’t waste your time in the loo and never ever strain. Straining can interfere with the healing of your stitches and you can even get hemorrhoids from it. Instead, you can get up, drink a glass of warm water with some fibrous food such as psyllium husk and then again try passing the stool whenever urge occurs. This time you will be able to do it much easier.
Bottomline
Dear New Moms,
You don’t deserve to silently suffer from anything. If the above remedies don’t work and your constipation is interrupting with your day to day activities then immediately consult your medical practitioner.
Constipation is a common condition after a labor delivery and doctors can stop your suffering even in a single day with a single dose of a medicine. So, never hesitate to book an appointment with your medical practitioner.
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