Constipation after childbirth overtakes even those women who have never experienced digestive problems and stool in their lives. What are its causes and treatment features?
Constipation after childbirth: causes
- Sudden changes in the hormonal background.
- Stretching and weakening of the muscles of the perineum and abdominals.
- The pressure of the uterus, which in the early period after childbirth is increased and continues to put pressure on the intestines.
- Fear of the process of straining due to sutures, which often happens in women after cesarean section.
- Wrong diet for a young mother.
- The psychological burden associated with caring for the baby and the acquisition of a new family status.
- Congenital structural features of the intestine, for example, some of its sections are elongated.
Types of constipation
Atonic. Often found in mothers after cesarean section or due to malnutrition. It is accompanied by a feeling that the intestine is full, with pain, increased gas formation, apathy and lethargy. The bowel movement is painful, with the first serving being too large and the final serving formless liquid.
Spastic. The reason for it is increased muscle tone. The main reason for this type of constipation is the psychological factor. The stool looks like “goat feces” (dense elements of a rounded shape).
Constipation after childbirth: choosing the right diet
To solve the problems of constipation and taking into account the breastfeeding of the baby (in order to avoid allergic reactions), the mother needs to take her diet seriously. Buckwheat, pearl and millet cereals, granola, brown bread (in small quantities), oatmeal, vegetable oils, fruits (except exotic), sweet cherries, vegetables (both fresh and steamed, stewed or boiled) will be useful: beets , carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. It will not be superfluous to drink dried fruit compote and consume fermented milk products.
For constipation, mucous soups, strong tea, white bread, semolina, polished rice, pears, blueberries, strawberries, currants, walnuts, legumes, and hard cheese should be excluded from the diet.
Constipation after childbirth: exercise
If you gave birth naturally, i.e. without a caesarean section, then the very next day after giving birth you can start a set of special exercises that will not only become a good prevention of constipation, but also help you quickly get in shape, as well as reduce physical and psychological fatigue of the postpartum period. Exercise loan you have no more than 10 minutes a day.
- In the supine position, the legs are slightly bent, hands along the body take a deep breath and “inflate” the stomach. Hold your breath and exhale forcefully with your mouth, drawing in your stomach as much as possible.
- The position is as in claim 1, only the knees are pressed against each other. As you inhale, tighten your pelvic floor muscles (as if to prevent bowel movements) , hold your breath, exhale, relax.
- The position is as in paragraph 1, while inhaling, raise the left hand and right leg up and lower them on the exhale. Repeat with alternating legs and arms.
- In a standing position, arms extended forward, legs shoulder-width apart, make turns with the body to the right, taking your right hand back to the maximum. Return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise the other way. Feet should not be torn off the floor.
- In the position on all fours, inhale by drawing in the stomach and perineum, hold your breath, exhale with relaxation. Exercise can be performed no earlier than 4-5 days after birth.
Constipation after childbirth: treatment with folk remedies
Atonic constipation
- Drink cool water on an empty stomach every morning, preferably unboiled (mineral water without gas).
- Take cumin, anise, fennel in equal quantities and mix. Pour two teaspoons of the herb with boiling water (250 ml) and leave for about 20 minutes. Strain and drink three times a day for 1/3 cup 30 minutes before eating.
Spastic constipation
- A tablespoon of gooseberry berries pour a glass of water, boil for 10 minutes, strain and drink the broth four times a day for glass.
- Grate raw potatoes on a fine grater. Squeeze the juice and dilute with water in a ratio of 1: 1. Drink ¼ cup three times a day 30 minutes before each meal.
Constipation after childbirth : drug treatment
We note right away that laxatives such as Fortrans, Forlax, Regulax, Gutalax, Dulcolax, Chiitosan, Dr. Tayss should not be taken during breastfeeding. And senna-based intestinal relaxants (glaxen, trisacen, sennalax, senade) can be used during lactation, but very carefully, as they can cause pain in the intestines in infants. And with spastic constipation and their reception is also not recommended.