Way TMI but have to ask...BM after c-section?

I hate to ask this way TMI question but I am about to cry. I had my c-section last Wednesday (6 days ago!!) and I'm passing gas fine but I have yet to have a BM!! I have defintely been eating so I have to wonder if some of the uncomfortableness and firmness in my lower tummy is my very full intestines!??? How long does it take to have a BM after a c-section and is there anything I can do to get it going?? I take a stool softner every day plus there is some in my prenatal I take. I'm still taking the Percocet here and there and I know that constipates but I can't quite get through the day without it yet. Any ideas?? Thanks in advance!!!!!

 

For me, it was the next day. I'm sure you are, but drink lots and lots of water and eat anything with fibre. The best thing for me was to just sit in the bathroom until I went. I didn't feel like I had to go but I would sit there and it happened. I don't know if you are comfortable with this, but maybe try a glycerine suppository to sorda "help" stimulate the area and lube it up a little bit. Sorry about my descriptions but I really feel for you as it was pretty much the most nerve racking part of my recovery

 

They gave me Milk of Magnesia in the hospital. It didn't work the first day, but the 2nd dose did. I'd call your doctor and see what you should take.

 

I had the same experience. I'd go ahead and take a laxative of some sort. The stool softeners didn't do it for me. I'd say don't wait much longer because it just gets worse
sorry!

 

I was given a suppository and it worked pretty quickly ... that was the most annoying part of the being in the hospital!

 

It took me about 5 days... and it was extremely uncomfortable. I have honestly never been constipated in my life, until after my c-section. I suggest following some of the PP's advice, and calling the doc, or taking a suppository. And.. I would continue to take the stool softener. I took mine for at least a month after the c-section.

 

I was miserable at one week and my Dr. told me to drink the stuff you take before a colonoscopy or do an enema. I had a BM the next day without any of that, thank Goodness. Call your Dr. for suggestions. On top of being miserable, you're terrified to go!

 

I would definitely call your doctor about it. You may need a stool softener or suppository to help you go. I think I went about 3 days after my CS. I know it has to be uncomfortable not going for so long, BTDT. Good luck and I hope the uncomfortableness goes away soon!

 

Just as pp, I had the same experience. . .My mom is a Nurse Practitioner so I was able to just ask her what I can take without calling the doctor (she actually works at my OB's office). . .You can take a laxative, which is what I did. I didn't have a BM for 8 days after my c-section and the mild laxative did the trick. . . It was much better to me than to have to use a suppository. . .I have never had constipation issues before my c-section, but now 7 weeks post-partum I am stilll having some constipation issues, so I have started taking a fiber supplement (Metamucil)and that seems to be helping!! Good Luck!

 

it took me about 5 days or so? i was in the hospital for 7 and they were giving me milk of magnesia and something else to help, but it still took awhile.

 

5 day here too. I would have held it longer, but it was a prerequisite for me to go home. <_< Ouch, ouch, and triple ouch. Sorry you are having "issues."

 

Oh. I do not envy you at all. Out of the entire birthing process, having a BM was the worst!!! That said-take whatever it is you can to make it easier on yourself! I was taking the softener's, but that apparently did nothing. My dh was so worried about me when I FINALLY went. It was the worst experience, for me, ever. Don't mean to scare you! But it was something NO ONE told me about! LOL!

Softeners, suppositories, whatever it takes for me the next time-I am going to do it! I will be SURE to mention it to the nurses before I am discharged!

 

I did not have a c-section, but it took me about a week. I had to continue taking colace. I think the stool softener REALLY helped because it was not nearly as scary as I have heard!

 

QUOTE(HinSD @ Dec 2 2008, 02:48 PM) [snapback]1094081[/snapback]
I did not have a c-section, but it took me about a week. I had to continue taking colace. I think the stool softener REALLY helped because it was not nearly as scary as I have heard!


I was probably the one one that was as scary as you heard! LOL!

 

I didn't have a c-section, but after at least three (out of four) of my postpartum experiences involved some level of constipation. I know, such a pleasant topic.

Heck, when I first went into the hospital on bedrest during my twin pregnancy, the very first night, I was absolutely miserable. I've never cried during labor, not even during natural childbirth. . . but dern, I cried from the constipation I experienced. I can laugh now thankfully.

During pregnancy and postpartum, I did the Colaces (the glycerin suppositories did not help me ever - use the red oral pills. . . I believe you can get them 50 mg or 100 mg OTC. Go for the 100 mg. I did three doses of the 100 mg a day. Worked pretty good, but I still bumped into "issues". I was advised, pregnancy and postpartum, to do a shot of Milk of Magnesia if necessary too. That usually did the trick.

When I was really miserable, I'd make my DH watch the kids while I soaked my rearend in the tub. I don't know why, but that certainly helped squelch my anxiety and helped me to relax. I don't want to go into details, but I also had slight hemorrhoids that made such normal, everyday activities as having a BM terrifying. (I'm trying to keep my sense of humor here.)

My sister had terrible issues with well, fissures after her babies' births, and I think she started eating Fiber One. . . but do make sure you build up to a full bowl gradually. Read up on that one because while it can help, you can't just go whole-hog with that.

I've been there. It's one of those things no one tells you about. I don't think it's just a c-section thing. Babies have moved, they've been pushing on your body, and things go through a change. You're not alone.

 

Thanks so much everyone!! I ended up calling the DR and he told me to get Magnesium Citrate Drink and drink the whole thing (yikes!). My DH went to Walgreens and got it and the pharmacist recommended an enema instead because of cramping. DH didn't know what an enema was and when I explained it and also mentioned that I can barely turn around to wipe my butt (if I had anything to wipe ) he was like well I'm not helping with THAT!!! LOL I said umm yea - just get the drink - I'm already cramping. He said I was to wait for after dinner and feeding the babies before I drink it. LOL We're a little scared. I told him to pick me up some Correctol too just in case it's bad again later. I'd rather have a mild laxitive than this stuff but after 7 days I think I need something major. Wish me luck!!!!

 

Good luck!

If it makes you feel better, they told me that milk of mag would cause cramping and all, but it never did. Thankfully.

Relief I wish soon for you!

 

Oh God, I feel for you. Like other posters, it was the worst part of recovery!!!



Hopefully the stuff you took works soon!

 

Amazingly after dinner...before i took the stuff..i pooped!!! :woohoo: i feel like a new woman. lol i said maybe i scared my body into doing something!!! lol

 

Glad to hear your "dry spell" has ended.

I hate to continue on this TMI thread... but I thought I'd chime in, albeit a little late. Like you, I was on percoset for many days and was going on day 5 or 6 with no BM. My incision was finally starting to feel better but I felt AWFUL...bloated, etc. I tried a few times one day, and just NOTHING was happening. Then finally, success...and without being too graphic, let's just say I think 6 days worth of BM was there. I was using the one very old toilet in our house...and yep, I clogged it. Then I tried to plunge it and everything just got worse... it overflowed, there was poo all over. I just stood there bawling...then it was time to feed a baby... so I said to my mom who was staying with us, "I just made a horrible mess in the bathroom. I have to feed the babies now, but I will deal with it when I am done". I was mortified and sooo embarrased. My truly saintly mother cleaned up the entire thing. God love her. We can laugh about it now... but at the time, I was truly at a LOW LOW point.

-maria
DS1 4 yrs old
DS2 DS3 4 months