Just a quick tip I learned today from my husband with Chrones. If you are constipated, which we all will be after birth at the least! Lean forward while "going" and it will help immensely.
I have a shameful confession. I bought a Squatty Potty and I did not like it (tried several times), neither did H. That's not the shameful part. Went to return it (Amazon) and they refunded me and told me to keep it. We threw it away!
I've totally improvised my own squatty potty with my kids bathroom stool. It totally makes all the difference!
Same... I'm using DD's potties (one upstairs, one down). They're little stepstools when closed, same thing!
I have also taken to tracking my fruit and veggie intake since I know I eat way too much gluten and meat. That... Sort of helped. Plus a bonus 6 prunes per day. I have each serving as a task in Habitica, so I get xp for it, woot!
Honestly, ladies, do not let it get out of hand. It only gets worse the more pregnant you get. I learned that lesson the hard way.
Me: 35 | DH: 46 MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks) DD: Born 8/22/14 Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17 And my other love: writing
Agreed don't let it get out of hand also once you give birth keep up your bowel regimen! You'll be tired but keep it up. No matter how you end up delivering there are a million good reasons to make it easier to go. Hormones take a while to level out so progesterone will still be screwing with you.
Ask for the colace AS SOON AS YOU DELIVER and are in your room! My first nurse after DD1 was a lifesaver and said "take this now or you'll regret it!" With DD2 I wasn't even offered it and had to ask the nurse and they were surprised that I asked so quickly for it. It helps immensely.
Married 03.09.09 Sweet Baby H 12.21.11 Sassy Baby P 03.26.14 Little Brother Due 05.22.17
I just want to say that I didn't take any kind of stool softener after DS and didn't have any issues, I don't know of anyone whnwas offered it or tried (I will add if you have stitches to support them with a piece of toilet paper On your hand the first time, not sure it helps but mentally it made me feel better) also it was about 3-4days before I even needed to have a BM, peeing was more painful IMHO
Me - 22 | DH - 32 | Married - 24 May 2014 DS - January 2014
TTC#2 - December 2015
BFP - 6 March 2016 | MC Confirmed - 21 March 2016 TTCAL | April 2016 CP | June 2016 CP | July 2016
I just want to say that I didn't take any kind of stool softener after DS and didn't have any issues, I don't know of anyone whnwas offered it or tried (I will add if you have stitches to support them with a piece of toilet paper On your hand the first time, not sure it helps but mentally it made me feel better) also it was about 3-4days before I even needed to have a BM, peeing was more painful IMHO
I had a second degree tear and stitches both times. A BM was required by my doctor before discharge from the hospital. Peeing was definitely more painful but the little squirt bottle is a lifesaver!
Married 03.09.09 Sweet Baby H 12.21.11 Sassy Baby P 03.26.14 Little Brother Due 05.22.17
I remember dreading the BM after birth because of what other mamas said. It wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't the worst. I mean, it hurt coming out, but I didn't really strain, if that makes sense?
And yeah, I used the squirt bottle for peeing for a couple weeks because I had a tear and stitches--well past when I needed it, I'm sure. It was actually kind of soothing...
Me: 35 | DH: 46 MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks) DD: Born 8/22/14 Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17 And my other love: writing
I second @h&pmomma on the little water squirt bottle. I took two from the hospital, so I had one for each bathroom. Warm water is a simple saving grace.
For those of you FTM w/ constipation issues, on a related note, I treat the straining "to go" as practice for the big day. Personal opinion. Take a deep breath, push (hard) & count to 10 (slowly) then exhale. You'll think you'll pop a forehead vein but it'll be okay. It's seriously the same feeling & actions as when pushing/bearing down during active labor.
It's seriously the same feeling & actions as when pushing/bearing down during active labor.
Sort of... But when you're pushing out baby, you push like you're peeing. If you push like you're pooping, you're straining more than you need to and not getting all the right muscles engaged.
Me: 35 | DH: 46 MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks) DD: Born 8/22/14 Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17 And my other love: writing
It's seriously the same feeling & actions as when pushing/bearing down during active labor.
Sort of... But when you're pushing out baby, you push like you're peeing. If you push like you're pooping, you're straining more than you need to and not getting all the right muscles engaged.
Sure, I get it, more in the front... you could be right about that... my comment was more leaning toward the "holding your breath and counting" part of it being the same as laboring... and seriously, what better place to practice than on the throne?
It's seriously the same feeling & actions as when pushing/bearing down during active labor.
Sort of... But when you're pushing out baby, you push like you're peeing. If you push like you're pooping, you're straining more than you need to and not getting all the right muscles engaged.
Sure, I get it, more in the front... you could be right about that... my comment was more leaning toward the "holding your breath and counting" part of it being the same as laboring... and seriously, what better place to practice than on the throne?
True I'm very passionate about this because the L&D nurses gave me bad advice and I blame some of my hemmeroids on it Save yourselves, mamas!
Me: 35 | DH: 46 MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks) DD: Born 8/22/14 Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17 And my other love: writing
So I've been tracking my food and veggie intake for a week now. I'm not gonna disclose how bad I was doing before, but I'm doing better now, and it seems to be helping. Also, I forgot this from last time, but papayas, for whatever reason, do good work in me. So give it a try if you're hurting!
Me: 35 | DH: 46 MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks) DD: Born 8/22/14 Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17 And my other love: writing
Re: Constipated mamas!
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
It’s not that I don’t like you, it’s that I don’t know you. Stranger Danger.
May '17 labor memes
Went to return it (Amazon) and they refunded me and told me to keep it. We threw it away!
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
Same... I'm using DD's potties (one upstairs, one down). They're little stepstools when closed, same thing!
I have also taken to tracking my fruit and veggie intake since I know I eat way too much gluten and meat. That... Sort of helped. Plus a bonus 6 prunes per day. I have each serving as a task in Habitica, so I get xp for it, woot!
Honestly, ladies, do not let it get out of hand. It only gets worse the more pregnant you get. I learned that lesson the hard way.
MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks)
DD: Born 8/22/14
Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17
And my other love: writing
May '17 labor memes
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
DS - January 2014
TTCAL | April 2016
CP | June 2016
CP | July 2016
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
And yeah, I used the squirt bottle for peeing for a couple weeks because I had a tear and stitches--well past when I needed it, I'm sure. It was actually kind of soothing...
MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks)
DD: Born 8/22/14
Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17
And my other love: writing
For those of you FTM w/ constipation issues, on a related note, I treat the straining "to go" as practice for the big day. Personal opinion. Take a deep breath, push (hard) & count to 10 (slowly) then exhale. You'll think you'll pop a forehead vein but it'll be okay. It's seriously the same feeling & actions as when pushing/bearing down during active labor.
Sort of... But when you're pushing out baby, you push like you're peeing. If you push like you're pooping, you're straining more than you need to and not getting all the right muscles engaged.
MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks)
DD: Born 8/22/14
Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17
And my other love: writing
True
MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks)
DD: Born 8/22/14
Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17
And my other love: writing
MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks)
DD: Born 8/22/14
Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17
And my other love: writing