Severe constipation after childbirth - what to do? How to treat constipation after childbirth

Often the joy after the birth of a child is overshadowed by any diseases or complications of the conditions of young mothers. It can be constantly aching seams after tears, pain in the legs, kidneys or lower back, again, the consequences of complex childbirth. All this gives mom a lot of problems that have been added to the reverent care of the baby. But a particularly discomforting woman is a violation of bowel movements. In medicine, this condition is called constipation. Many young mothers are tormented by the question: "If constipation appeared after childbirth, what should I do?" To determine the methods of dealing with this condition, it is necessary to understand what constipation is and what are its causes.

What is constipation?

By this condition is meant constant obstructed or incomplete defecation. Sometimes it happens that the feces do not completely leave the body, accumulating and creating internal discomfort. The absence of bowel movements for several days, the difficulty in emptying, as well as the incomplete release of the intestines - all this is called constipation.

Many young mothers, if they have constipation after childbirth, do not know what to do with this condition. After all, there are such cases that violations of bowel movements occur after the birth of the baby for the first time. In this situation, it is necessary to deal with the causes of constipation, their types and permitted treatment methods.

Why does it often occur after childbirth?

There are several reasons for this condition.

1. An enlarged uterus can press on the rectum or intestines. In this case, peristalsis and the movement of feces are disturbed. They stagnate, and the process of fermentation inside the body begins. At the same time, the young mother herself is uncomfortable, and health damage is obvious: toxic substances can be absorbed into the bloodstream and transmitted to the baby with milk. If, for this reason, constipation occurs after childbirth, what should I do? Here, time should pass for the reduction of the uterus in size, and in the meantime, you can help yourself with the right diet and all the methods described below to deal with this unpleasant condition.
2. Improper nutrition. If a young mother often eats solid foods, dry and salty, her body is sorely lacking in fluid. After all, she also feeds her baby. A lot of liquid is spent on the formation of milk, so during the lactation period you need to monitor nutrition and drink. Then the question does not arise: "Constipation after childbirth - what to do?"
3. Muscle stretching or muscle weakening may occur. In this case, physiologically, feces cannot reach the exit site. This only leads to a worsening of the elimination of toxins and decomposition products from the body of a young mother.
4. After birth, the hormonal background changes dramatically, which can also affect the occurrence of constipation.
5. Stress due to the appearance of the baby, associated with cardinal changes in life, can provoke severe constipation after childbirth. What to do with this condition?

Types of constipation in young mothers

There are several types of defecation disorders. In such situations, when constipation torments after childbirth, what to do should be determined depending on their type.

1. Spastic constipation - with this type of constipation, intestinal tone increases. This happens more often for psychological reasons, as constant nervous tension leads to tightening of many muscles. The intestine is also pinched, and peristalsis cannot function as needed.
2. Atonic - here, on the contrary, the tone of the muscles of the intestine and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract is reduced, peristalsis is weak. Such constipation can occur due to malnutrition and after cesarean section.
3. Physiological - due to the long passage of feces through the elongated colon, constipation may occur after childbirth. What to do? Reviews of young mothers indicate that with such constipation, you need to wait a little time. This is necessary so that all muscles and their functions are restored after childbirth. And also monitor the constant use of large quantities of water, as the feces, after a long journey, harden.

Bowel movement after complex birth

In most cases, after difficulties in childbirth, young mothers are afraid to go to the toilet for the first time. It hurts them not only to empty the intestines, but also the bladder. In order to facilitate the first time the output of feces, it is necessary to adhere to some recommendations.

• First, you need to set yourself up to the fact that you need to go to the toilet. It may be a little painful (if there are internal and external sutures, or after surgery), but it is even worse to keep the decay products of food than to suffer pain several times.
• Secondly, immediately after childbirth, you need to monitor fluid intake - preparation for lactation is in progress. At the first birth, they do not recommend drinking it a lot, so that later the mammary glands can be examined. But it should not be enough, otherwise the feces will harden, and you will have to make a lot of effort in order to go to the toilet.
• Thirdly, nutrition should be balanced right away. The required amount of fiber should come along with moderate fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Since most fresh fruits and vegetables are not allowed, constipation may occur after childbirth. What to do and how to solve the fiber problem? Porridge (especially oatmeal), baked apples, bananas will come to the rescue. The child will not respond to such food, and it will be easier for mom to go to the toilet.

The challenges of treating constipation in the postpartum period

In the first time after the birth of a baby, a lot of questions bother her mother. If there is a defecation disorder, women often ask: “If constipation appears after childbirth, what should I do? How can I treat it, because many drugs cannot be lactating?

Complicate the situation with constipation can also occur after childbirth hemorrhoids. Then all attention will be directed to solving two problems at once, because the fear of defecation is now associated not only with childbirth, but also with pain in the rectum. In such cases, it is important to monitor nutrition and help with folk remedies or medicines.

Change in diet to combat delayed bowel movements

With the birth of the baby, the diet of the mother changes. In order not to provoke allergic reactions in the crumbs, she must carefully monitor her diet: what she eats and in what form. How to get rid of constipation after childbirth by changing the diet?

For a good stool formation, it is undesirable to eat white bread, semolina, bleached rice, and wheat bran. These products contain a lot of carbohydrates and a little fiber, which negatively affects bowel movement. You also need to abandon a large number of nuts, legumes, currants. It is recommended to use buckwheat and oatmeal, vegetable oil instead of butter, sour-milk products, brown bread. Vegetables and fruits in solving this problem will be the most effective means, but you need to use them with caution so as not to harm the well-being of the child.

What fluids will help?

We have already paid attention to the fact that heavy drinking helps to overcome constipation after childbirth. How to treat constipation after childbirth - only with water? You will not be full of water alone, moreover, during lactation, you need to monitor the fat content of milk. Fruit compotes that do not cause fermentation will come to help in the fight against constipation. There are also some medicinal decoctions of herbs.

Liquid fermented milk products are good for young mothers suffering from constipation. This can be kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt, acidophilus and others. You can make liquid homemade yogurts that will not only treat constipation, but also restore the intestinal flora of mother and baby.

Medicines to defeat constipation

In case of severe constipation, laxatives will help, but only those that are allowed by the doctor. Often, with such problems, drugs based on lactulose are used, and glycerin and sea buckthorn suppositories can also help. The latter are still effective for hemorrhoids. But we must not forget that laxatives can be addictive, as well as negatively affect the intestines of a child. Therefore, they must be used already in cases of severe constipation after childbirth.

Herbal medicine for young mothers

• Boil chopped fig berries (2 tbsp) in a glass of water or milk. Take 1 tbsp. several times a day.
• If spastic constipation is diagnosed, then herbs with a sedative effect are taken: valerian root, anise fruits, nettle, mint, chamomile and strawberry leaves are mixed in equal proportions. Take 1 tbsp. such a mixture and insist in a thermos. Take half a glass 2 times a day after meals.
• With atonic constipation, a mixture of anise, fennel and caraway seeds is brewed in equal parts. Then strain and take about 1/3 cup three times a day.
• Brewed flax seeds are good for prolonged constipation. Before going to bed, you need to drink such a decoction.

Exercises to get rid of constipation

Some physical exercises work well with constipation. They are especially useful in case of weak tension of the intestinal muscles, which make peristalsis ineffective for the promotion of feces. And with spastic constipation, exercises will not hurt. This method not only helps to cure constipation, but also restores the mother’s figure after childbirth, and is also safe for the baby.

• Immediately after birth , breathing exercises can be performed. It is important to deep breathing with retraction of the abdomen on exhalation. This exercise is absolutely safe.
• Some time after the birth of the baby, you can afford some physical activity. A woman lying down can press her knees to each other, thus causing the pelvic muscles to tighten.
• Standing to stretch your arms forward, on inspiration, take your right hand back, return it back. Do the same with your left hand.
• On all fours, draw in the stomach and crotch, hold your breath, then relax.

Then the exercises can be complicated by gradually adding pressure to the abs and legs.

How can constipation be complicated?

Constipation negatively affects the condition of the intestine: fermentation occurs due to the absorption of toxins, problems appear not only in the mother, but also in the baby. Violation of the intestines can affect immunity, skin, hair condition. A young mother may be simultaneously concerned about constipation and hemorrhoids after childbirth. What to do in this case? Be sure to treat! Hemorrhoids can be external, internal, with cracks and so on. For the safe treatment of these diseases, sea ​​buckthorn suppositories are used , "Relief", if additional funds are needed, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician during lactation.