need help w/ post labor poop ladies!!!

Picklezandcheese

I'd say sorry for the tmi but honestly, i just had a baby and people witnessed some gross stuff. We just delivered our baby boy at 34+5 weeks. it was a a complete nightmare, I'll fill you in on the details later just be patient with me. My issue is, i need help with my post labor pooping. I got stitches on my rectum and I can find articles that really look at that. Im not worried about my vagina falling our, nor am i sore there. Like at all. Just my bum. Tried at the hospital and ended up making everything worse. Not better like everyone keeps telling me. Now I'm scared to try again. All keeping in mind that i pooped twice the day i delivered him so I'm not days backed up. But the food has to come out eventually. I need advice!

babymorgan72015

Colace or peri-colace if the Colace doesn't work

charliepepper

Miralax! You can titrate to however much you need.

corndogrobot

I remember screaming into a towel everytime I pooped. (
I tried to take a warm bath after that helped. I ran just enough water to cover my bottom and soak for 5 min or so. Or a sitz bath would work too. RectiCare has Lidocaine that will work as a topical after. And I second the colace (or the Target brand stool softener)

NYMominCA

Colace or the generic brand of it (stool softener) but if you're holding it too long than a laxative like Senekot should be your next step.

Do you have Dermoplast numbing spray? You can spray some on your bum before you go to numb it a bit to make the resistance a bit less.

Ugh, I remember being terrified of that first poop. LOL

corndogrobot

Yes! The Demaplast spray is magic! They gave it to me in the hospital.

zmombie

I had a 4th degree tear.. I had stitches in and out of my rectum. I'm surprised they didn't give you a stool softener. But no worries. Colace is good. Keep up on sitz baths. And only wipe with tucks pads.
I remember it was god awful pain to poo for a little while, but it does pass.
The anxiety of it makes it so much worse. But trust me if you do the sitz, tucks and colace then it will help immensely

JHaworth84

I had a nasty tear with my first daughter (3rd not 4th degree though- you poor thing). I remember the fear well, although It hurt the actual experience was actually not as bad as I thought it would be. As others have said definitely try a stool softener, drink plenty etc etc. I was fully prepared to actually poop in the bath that first time if I had to! If you are finding it hard to avoid a bit of straining you could try applying a bit of gentle counter pressure with your hand using sensitive cleansing wipes/old towel/gloves etc depending on how worried you are about a bit of poo. Yes it's horrible but sounds like the least of your traumas!! Good luck xx

xhochixx

Collace and coffee!! Usually espresso does the trick for me

ambah

My hospital gave me stool softener...maybe ask for some of that. Or a good strong coffee helps too!

kmhefner01

When I had my DD I tore bad. I had to use a warm rag to hold pressure on and support my perienium in order to poop. It's kinda gross but it worked.

runswithscissors86

I feel so bad for you!!!! I also third the counter pressure. Sometimes you just need help holding it all together.

claudia3059

I have no advice but I am soooooooo sorry that happened to you. It must be just awful going through that recovery and being a newborn mommy. I hope everything heals soon and you are on the road to recovery.

mommy1922

I tried to read everyone's posts, but I'm about to freak out! Jesus, don't let this be me! ( Bless your heart and your tushy!

Picklezandcheese

You ladies are beautiful. Thank you so much for your help and support. I'll fill you in on the details. (Heads up, Novel length!!)
Firstly, i did get stool softeners from the hospital. I had one to take the next morning after delivery but I think i took too long to drink it, i didn't give it enough time to kick in. Today I'm doing much better, still no poop but i also haven't tried a sitz bath ( thank you to those that recommended it) I'm not sure if i could get numbing spray here in canada. It's not as approved of by our health system here.
As for the delivery: ⚠ WARNING, NOT FOR TBE FAINT HEART OR PROBABLY CURRENTLY PREGNANT WOMEN NEARING THEIR DUE DATES!!!!!!⚠

I went in Sunday night with what i thought might be a UTI. i had the cramping and back aches that i associated with the ones i had pre pregnancy, but no burning or pain. When i got to L&D at my hospital tjey hooked me up to the toco meter and the heartbeat thing. They noticed i was having steady contractions. I didn't really feel them much, just a little irritating so i never realized. They checked my cervix, seen that i dilated about have a cm so they decided to keep me over night. I went the whole next day with stronger contractions but no dilation. Tuesday morning i woke up, they were talking outside about discharging me. As soon as i moved like an inch, my water broke. They told me they don't try to stop the contractions here at 34 weeks. They figure if you're going into preterm labor, there's almost always a reason for it. They were right!
I labored all day. Used the gas and some type of narcotic (can't remember the name right now, I'll find it for you) And i was tolerating the pain like a champ (if i do say so myself) at about 3 oclock they checked my dialating, i was only at 4cm! So they put me on pitocinpitocin to get me dialating cause he was getting tired. Holy hell, get an epidural established before the pitocin kicks in cause my contractions went hard and fast, no breaks in between. I almost lost my mind. They tried to give me an epidural at about 3:30. After about 5 pokes the anesthesiologist gave up and got a more veteran dr to try. They gave me a spinal at 4:50 it kicked in about 5:00. Approximately 5:15 his heart rate dropped with every contraction so they checked my cervix again, i still was only at about 9cm but he needed to get out. i tried pushing for two contraction (which I'm happy to say, at that point i couldn't even feel). It wasn't working so in comes the forceps. (Still didn't feel anything) He was apparently face up so she had to brutalize my lady bits (3rd degree tear) to get him out quickly because his heart kept stopping. He was born 5:24. He sustained a bit if damage between the forceps and the satan contractions, I'll keep the details to myself, but hes currently in NICU with the greatest care i could have hoped for. He's slowly improving, still has air assistance but with a good solid night of rest he might be able to go off it tomorrow! My poor little guy doesn't like being handled to much, just like his mama so i only got skin to skin with him once so far. But he has his daddy's god like resillience.
I hooe this wasn't too much for you guys. Me sharing it is theraputic and also relieves any questions you might have. As for any spelling mistakes, I'm on the good stuff right now. Makes me a little woozy and less grammar nazi than i usually am. So, sorry.
A couple tips for everyone about to deliver.
Those underwear provided at my hospital were a godsent. They aren't sexy by any means but ita not like you're gonna be trying to seduce your partner anytime soon.
Also, It might have been cause everything happened so quickly and early for me but, once i got out of the hospital, i couldn't even fit into my loose sweat pants. My hips got soo big in the few days i was there. So brjng loose around the hips pants, probably preferably in black.
Also, Bring a pillow!! Not just for bed but for the car ride home. You'll need it, even tiny rock bits on the road feel like rumble strips after going through such foof trauma.
Lastly, if you're having issues witb bending over, get your partner/helper to take apart a hanger to hook your pants or underwear and pull them up without having to bend. (Took me 2 days to figure this out, and now i almost don't need it.
I apologize for the novel but if you don't want to read it, don't. I'll try to help with questions if anyone has any, cause I'm still fresh (or raw , if you will) and I'm not taking care of my little Lochlann right now. So i have a bit more free time than I'd like.
Thanks again for the support. Love you ladies!!

gotdiesel2007

Not 100% sure but I think this is what everyone is talking about. I know that's what I was given after my 1st

JHaworth84

Sorry you had such a traumatic birth, I hope you are at least feeling that it is still worth it now you have your baby in your arms. Good luck for the recovery, time is good for healing all wounds even the psychological ones . In the UK doctors will often recommend an elective C section for women who have suffered such a significant tear if you decide to go through it all again in the future xx

jonesy15

Sorry you had such a rough time. About the pooping, try holding a sanitary towel with a little pressure to your bottom next time you try! Congratulations to you xx

corndogrobot

Wow! You are super tough! Stay on top of the meds. I hope you feel better soon. I had internal and external tearing and it took a long time to heal. Hope your wonderful baby feels better soon and is ready to snuggle in no time!

js10082011

Room temp prune and apple juice...pour half of each in a cup, stir and microwave for 30 seconds. This helps soften the poop and won't cause stomach cramps, but must not be cold juice. My mom was told about it after she had me and experienced a 4th degree tear too. Best of luck to you!

NYMominCA

gotdiesel2007 said:

Not 100% sure but I think this is what everyone is talking about. I know that's what I was given after my 1st

Yes this is the spray.

I've also heard Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Spray is good but I don't know if that is in Canada?

zmombie

Lol! I read the novel.. I'm terribly sorry for your lady bits. I only laugh because I feel your pain.. I was also induced, but at 1cm, they did cervidel.. Which started them 5 mins apart all night long. I refused meds, next am, they gave me pitocin and damn!! I went from 2cm, to 4cm in 40 minutes... They stopped the pitocin but it had already taken over and my labor went fast! (6 hours from 2cm to birth, after she was stuck for an hour and a half) and that crap is no joke! I had no pain meds thru the whole thing.. I tore a 4th degree.. But I was on some super woman high for like 2 weeks after.. C section on the other hand.. No! So the wire hanger idea is just a lifesaver and I will be using that! Thank you so much! I will also add to my note of butt reliving things you can do, be careful what you eat for a short time. And since your on pain meds, they bung you up as well. If you find the stool softener don't help, add prunes to your diet. Watch out for prune juice tho.. Not only is it nasty, but it is potent! If you eat 2 prunes a day, you won't have the shits but they will help. Or apple juice, twice a day. Avoid dairy and cheese! Just for a few days.

Is little one okay? You said he had damage from the forecepts? Not bad I hope? And praying for a speedy recovery for you and babe!

ccarrozza1

Dermoplast, sitz bath, stool softener, coffee, hydrate a lot....the same types of things you might donfor hemmhroids

Picklezandcheese

Just a quick update then we can let the post go peacefully. Lochlann is doing amazingly. Still on all the masks and such but looking to remove them tomorrow. He is a tough little man. Both mentally and physically! Tries to arm wrestle me every time i go see him, he's gonna win pretty soon!
He had a bit of damage, not necessarily from the forceps. But a bit of a bruise/pool of blood in the back of his head. He's beating all his milestones down like a boss though, so no indication of brain damage. Also his eyes were almost popping out when he was born, still a little swelling in the worst one but he's opening both eyes and fallowing movement, so again, no indication of long term damage.

All in all he's kicking my ass in the recovery department. Finally i had that bowel movement I've been dreading this whole time. It was just about as bad as I imagined, if not worse. My body kept sending the PUSH signals to my bum and i would violently push. But by the end, with controlled breathing i managed to breathe through these urges and pass it more naturally. That's the biggest issue with holding it in ladies. You wait too long and the urge to push becomes overwhelming. But i did it and i feel a million times better. Hopefully i can keep it up and not be scared now that the worst is over.
I want to thank you all again for your suggestions and support. And i hope some of my tips help someone.