How long did it take you to poop?

laurenbrooke_09 · December 2011

I had my little boy two days ago. I've been taking stool softeners ever since and I feel uncomfortable like I need to go, but I can't make anything happen (I also have a 3rd degree tear, so that's not making it any easier). Do I need to take a laxative, or what can I do?

JMC11511 · December 2011

Congrats on the baby! I just kept taking stool softeners and within probably 3-4 days I was was able to go. I didn't have much tearing, but it was uncomfortable still. Also, I'm not sure, but I don't think you're supposed to take a laxative.

Liz1485 · December 2011

It took me around 5 or 6 days to go, partially because I was terrified of it. I've still only gone 3 times and LO is almost 3 weeks old. It is still very unpleasant, I also had bad tearing. I suggest just waiting it out, it will happen.

MrsG.060708 · December 2011

With DD1, it took a full week. DD2, it took about 3-4 days. Totally normal.

Oh, and take a stool softener, not a laxative.

skyfarm15 · December 2011

I couldn't go for a week and I was miserable. I took stool softners every time I took a pain pill. I ended up needing a suppository & enema, and I had a 4th degree tear. Take action now, prune juice, apples, grapes, salad. If no BM by tomorrow night I would take a suppository. GL!

Rosebud2587 · December 2011

It took me 4 days to finally go.

SHUVUU · December 2011

I had my first bowel movement the next day. Drink plenty of fluid and go easy on heavy stuff for now. I did soups, fruit and veggies.

blu-eyedwife · December 2011

My discharge instructions said to call the doctor if I hadn't had a BM three days after returning home. I really didn't want to do that, but I was not going. I felt like I had to go, but was terrified it was going to hurt and the stool softeners were doing nothing.

On day 3, I literally talked myself through it. I told myself that I had pushed a 7lb baby out and there was no way the BM was going to be larger than that and it wasn't going to rip me apart if the baby didn't. And I made myself go. I literally told myself "you can do this" as I did. And I had a peri bottle of warm water and dermoplast pads all ready for me.

Amitchell0626 · December 2011

I had a scheduled c section so I didn't have the soreness but they gave me stool softeners the first few days, I think I went the second day maybe. I never had any problems so I don't really remember.

aliciaroset · December 2011

I think 3-4 days. Don't try! Let it come. The nurses gave me a glove to wear so I could hold my perineum when it happened in case I felt too much pressure, but it actually turned out just fine. I only used the stool softeners. You don't need a laxative. Labor just stops everything for a while so it's totally normal.

Congratulations!

covertxxamour · December 2011

I actually went the day after I had LO (while still in the hospital).. without stool softeners. The nurse kept asking me if I went, so I think I more or less forced myself to go!

JC1009 · December 2011

I also had a bad tear, took about 4 days. The pain meds were making me constipated so I stopped taking them. I drank a cup of prune juice and took stool softeners. I was able to go 2 days after I started the prune juice. Good luck.

sap05e · December 2011

About 5 or 6 days. They wouldn't give me a laxative in the hospital... I finally bought some after being at home and feeling the need but never going. I was a little afraid but it wasn't painful!

shelbyluvschachi · December 2011

With DS, two days. With DD (two years ago) it took TEN FREAKING DAYS. It seriously was more traumatic than labor. Finally had to take a supository and that didn't even do the trick right away. It was absolutely awful. Learned my lesson and this time around pumped myself full of colace (twice a day), miralax (first thing in the morning), and milk of magnesia a few times here and there. I still take a colace every night with my prenatal vitamins. My advice -- take action now before it goes from bad to worse.

buskey2011 · December 2011

I also had a 3rd degree tear keep taking stool softners i did miralax and apple juice. did they send you home with a sitz bath? the hot water will relax the muscles they had me colace did nothing. good luck and congrats

BettyBookworm · December 2011

About 3 days for the first movement.

Make sure you drink lots of water. Basically divide your body weight by two & that is how much water & then some. High fiber diet & Metamucil if you have to. I took colace for the first month. Honestly, coffee helped keep me regular too.

The key is to limit the straining (had 2nd degree tear). When in doubt get a book, park LO close to you & wait it out. Good luck.

Jeilene · December 2011

I was discharged form the hospital with no instruction for stool softeners. I did get a few stitches so I was terrified to go, but I didn't "not" go either because I didn't want to get backed-up. Oh the 5th day I felt I REALLY had to go but couldn't, not to mention, I had hemorrhoids and felt like I had a donut down there! (TMI, sorry) Anywho, my doctor told me to take milk of magnesia and stressed to get the flavored kind (not sure why?), told me to take a full dose. I went the very next morning! Good luck to you, I hope you find relief soon!

megdonohoe920 · December 2011

PRUNES!!! I had the same problem after giving birth, I ate (2) dried prunes when I got home from the hospital and it worked its majic!! I did this for about a week after having my LO and by that time I was regular. Hope this helps!!

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