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Your postpartum nurse might warn you about that first bowel movement after having a baby. And if you leave the hospital before it happens, it’s natural for your bathroom anxiety to grow.
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“I have a second-degree tear and haven’t had a bowel movement since my daughter was born. Tell me ladies, is it bad? Does it hurt when you finally go?,” asks one BabyCenter mom, turning to the Community for some real postpartum talk. “I’m drinking lots of water and am taking stool softeners regularly, but I’m still so nervous!”
For some women, pooping after birth may be a breeze. But for others, constipation, swelling, hemorrhoids, or tearing can lead to pain and discomfort associated with going number two, at least the first few times.
While it’s hard to predict exactly how it will feel for you, these experts and moms alike aren’t shy about giving it to you straight.
What experts say
For vaginal deliveries specifically, “the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal tissues experienced some trauma as you pushed,” says Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, maternal-fetal medicine specialist and BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board member. “This can cause those muscles to have a hard time relaxing when you’re trying to go to the bathroom, which can make bowel movements a bit more challenging – or painful – after delivery.”
If you had a C-section, the effects may be a little bit different. “During a C-section, the bowels are manipulated, which can cause them to become sluggish, which leads to constipation (and in turn, hard stool and straining),” says Dr. Alrahmani. “It’s also likely that you haven’t eaten much leading up to your C-section which also causes constipation. Medications like narcotics can also make things move slower, as can dehydration (which is common during labor).”
And if you had a tear during your vaginal labor, let’s relieve some of your concerns. “If you’ve delivered vaginally, pushing in the bathroom may feel similar to pushing in the delivery room…and it may make you wonder if putting pressure on your bottom once again can reopen your stitches,” says Dr. Alrahmani. “While that’s an understandable concern, know that a bowel movement cannot hurt your perineum if you have stitches. If you have a third or fourth-degree tear, then your doctor will go through what to expect. But most people have a mild first or second-degree tear, and they do just fine.”
What moms say
In the BabyCenter Community, moms aren’t being shy about sharing their experiences in the bathroom postpartum. In fact, one mom says trips to the bathroom actually got harder after a week postpartum. “These postpartum poops are no joke. The first one wasn’t that bad, but starting a week postpartum, I had stabbing pain if I tried to poop. It took my breath away,” says Solv24.
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And another mom explains she learned a few things after having a second-degree tear and offers tips for moms in similar situations. “With the stool softeners, I did okay. It hurt, but not too bad,” says MStern917. “Try not to push really hard to get it out. Breathe through it like you did during contractions. You got it!”
One other mom explains that she got through it by blocking off some time to spend in the bathroom. “Make sure to give yourself time to sit and wait and not try to push or force it out. Set aside like 10 minutes where you can be alone to just sit in peace, says DestineeWalter. “Also, it may be easier after a warm shower or having a heating pad on your tummy.”
And other moms swear by staying hydrated and getting stool softeners. “After having a really hard time, I drank coconut water because it runs right through me for some reason. I drank a ton of that and haven’t had any issues since,” says iEverybodyLie.
That first poop (a little over 36 hours later) was honestly so scary. But the stool softener definitely helped, and the reminder to not force it or to push,” says poppy620.
How long will it hurt to go to the bathroom after birth?
In general, bowel movements should feel like they did pre-birth in two to three weeks, says Dr. Alrahmani. Of course, if anything feels amiss or isn’t returning to baseline by the four to six- week mark, talk with your healthcare provider or a pelvic floor specialist, she adds. And remember, you may not use the bathroom for a few days after delivery, and that’s normal, too, says Dr. Alrahmani.
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How can I relieve pain when going to the bathroom after birth?
It’s best to relax your muscles when trying to go to the bathroom. “The anal sphincter has to relax in order to have a bowel movement,” says Dr. Alrahmani. A lot of the understandable anxiety surrounding going to the bathroom can often make it hard to go, too.
Give yourself ample time and take some deep breaths before heading into the bathroom. One tip? Have someone else watch your baby if possible – the stress of feeling like you need to rush to care for them can make it feel impossible to go.
You can get a stool softener from your ob-gyn shortly after you deliver or pack one in your hospital bag, but here are some other things to try once you get home, too:
If you do have discomfort, hang in there
You’re not guaranteed to experience pain in the bathroom… but if you do, don’t be afraid to speak up if it doesn’t subside after a few weeks. It’s all part of the process, but you don’t have to be in pain each and every time you sit on the toilet. Your provider can prescribe stronger laxatives, or suggest other things to get your bowels going so you can head to the bathroom, worry – and pain – free.
