I gave birth one week ago and I ended up having a 2nd degree tear from it. I'm on stool softners, but they don't seem to be helping. I can feel that I'm stopped up and so need to go to the bathroom. I need some advice and fast on how to relieve myself...ie..fluids...drugs...anything lol! I'm miserable sitting and standing and walking and well simply trying to go number 2! Thanks to any and all advice! :)
I talked with my doctor and she recommended an enima because I'm trying to avoid any drugs because I am breast feeding. Tried and enima and it failed. I'm wondering if I'm still swollen from giving birth....I'll find out tomorrow. Dr. said she'd see me if the enima failed. Hopefully, she'll be able to help me some other way. Thanks for all the advice!
You need some fiber and fast...lol sry you are goign through this I had a third degree tear with my second all the way down :( it is not fun. I had to assist from the inside to help get things out for a few days after the birth...I know sry TMI there but that is a suggestion if fiber doesn't help. Laxitives don't really help a whole lot in this situation
I totally agree with a previous commentor that antibiotics can really screw up your bodie's ability to produce the goods. I also did not realize I had been given some and ended up with rectal tearing (anal fissure) from the constipation and ended up with surgery to correct it. The enema is a very bad idea because it contains salts which will sting that area like the dickens. The counter preasure on the perenium is a good idea also. You can just use a wad of TP to keep your hands clean. I'd try as a first line of defense a glycerol suppository (because its not laxative and won't cause cramping). If its not enough to produce then try a dulcolax suppository. The reason suppository over oral laxative is that oral laxative can strike at anytime, but the rectal should work in minutes and wont cause you to continue to cramp and run to toilet. Once you've delt with the initial BM then I'd focus on getting on some probiotics to help you get your natural floras back so you don't continue to struggle. I've been throught the ringer (no pun intended) with pregancy and postpardum constipation, anal fissure, and lots of pain from it all. So I feel for you.
Dulcolax. Safe during pregnancy and nursing.
Also, not sure if you've learned the pushing method while going #2 after giving birth. Take some toilet paper and push on your stitches with your hand while going #2. Yes, it's gross, and yes, you pee all over your hand. But it helps so you can push a little harder without the pain from the stitches. Good luck!
PB8 if you had ANY antibiotics, even a drip for GBS. Most people don't realize they had antibiotcs. This will stoften the stools AND replace the beneficial bacterium in your bowels. LOTS of WATER. APPLES.
4 kids later....and my largest was 11 pounds, but no tearing. The perineal stress is probably the same. ;)
Hang in there!
if you really want to make it easy just get an enema or suppository from the local drug store. Then, as you're going #2, (this is going to sound gross, but just trust me) you take your hand and apply pressure to your vulva (over the area of your tear) to prevent it from expanding from the pressure of having your bowel movement. Will will probably want to use a clean, damp washcloth instead of your bare hand. You will obviously have to take care to keep your hand out of the line of fire, so to speak, but I've heard of women doing this with success. Good luck.
At the grocery store you can by a tea call Dieters Tea (Laci LaBeau). I have been using it for years and I can absolutely guarantee you that this will work for you.
This worked for me and my tear sounds similar - Apples, pears, flax seed and lots of them like 2-3 pears and apples a day (I bet fruit smoothies would be good too), relax and use the peri bottle. Also sitting on the toilet hurt a lot and nothing seemed to help. We bought 2 donuts and they were not at all comfortable. On a whim I tried sitting on the toddler potty seat that fits over the normal toilet seat and it helped a lot, it hurt less so I was able to relax - I was scared I was going to re-tear. I hurt so much that I hadn't walked more than around the house, but when I walked to the end of the block and back that helped too. If it has been a while a suppository might be your best bet.
Stool softeners aren't laxatives, they simply make sure the stool is softer. Try a fiber laxative and some probiotics.
oooh ouch...I'm sorry...
It sounds gross but pancakes, waffles or french toast with peanut butter and syrup work for me EVERY time!!!
Apples help...prunes help too....
Have your doctor prescribe you a laxative-the over the counters may be too gentle for what you need.
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Have your doctor prescribe you a laxative-the over the counters may be too gentle for what you need.
Send someone to the pharmacy to get you some suppositories. They will work VERY fast.
Laxative?
Prunes?
LOTS of water!
Give yourself and enema. With my youngest I got so stopped up and was so stubborn about the enema. Finally I just gave up and gave it to myself. What a wonderful relief!!!
