Constipation after Pregnancy...

My daughter is now one month old, and I am still having a horrible time going to the bathroom, bm.  Is this normal?  I read about something called a rectocele, and I am wondering if that's what I have.  Have any of you experienced having a rectocele, or just severe constipation after having a baby?  I am worried, because it is still going on after a month.  I talked to my doctor, but she just keeps telling me to keep taking colace.  I am in horrific pain when I do go to the bathroom.

[AnnieBrooke]

I had good luck with Benefiber after I had my son.  Sorry but don't know about a rectocele.  Maybe Benefiber would help where Colace hasn't?

[1st]

Thanks so much for the advice!  Is Benefiber safe while breastfeeding?

[Crritter]

I had a hard time with bm for quite awhile and even with my son being just at 5 months, it still hurts for me.  It took me a good year after my first baby, but he was so big and I had alot of damage after his birth to deal with.  I think that's why I'm still uncomfortable now, but it does take some time.  Keep drinking lots of water too and eat lots of fiber.  I did that too to stay regular.  Do you have a feeling that your rectum  has moved?  I guess that when you have that happen, your intestine is bulging in your vaginal opening.  If it feels different maybe that's your problem.  If it's painful and irregular, then it's pretty common after baby.  I hope it gets better for you, just take care of yourself.

[taysmommy]

it still uncomfortable for me sometimes and my dd is 18 months old, i would go days without a bowel movement sometimes, but ive started eating a bowl of raisin bran for breakfast everyday and it really is keeping me regular and it doesnt hurt that bad to go, if your having hemmroids then i would recommend some preparation H cooling relief cream, but right after your done "going" sit in a bath as hot as you can stand (about 1-2 inches will due) and soak for as long as you can (with a one month old im sure you dont have much time ) and then put on the cream, but it really helps, thats the only thing that worked for me,

[AnnieBrooke]

Yes, it's just a fiber, I think made from some kind of esoteric bean.  It's not like Colace, that kind of makes you run hot and cold, it just gives you a much softer "move" if you will.  My gyn recommended it.  The BEST thing about it is that you could put it into a glass of water and never taste it or feel it on your tongue.  It looks a little like sugar or Equal, and dissolves right away.

[1st]

Thanks so much for all of your great advice!  I am going to try it all, the benefiber, raisin bran, and hot bath.  Hopefully at least one of those things, or all of them combined, will make a difference!  Thanks again!

[rubyolivia]

I'm so glad you posted this! I just had my baby 4 days ago and had a 4th degree tear. I have been taking Colace, eating prunes and drinking lots of fluids and I feel like I could go, but it's just not happening. It's pretty uncomfy! I thought maybe I had a big time problem, but I guess maybe I'm just normal! :)

[jenstam]

I'm having the same problem :\ I was wondering what kind of fiber would be good if you're breastfeeding. Wouldn't it give baby gas or something? I guess I can try and see how he tolerates it. I was so regular when I was pregnant...don't know why I'm having problems now? Weird...anyhow, you're not alone!

[1st]

That's it, that's the feeling!  You feel like you could go, but can't.  Isn't it just the worst!  Well, hopefully some of this other stuff helps.  Natural fibers should not get in the breast milk, but I'm going to ask my OB about supplements like Metemucil and now about Benefiber.

[mimi0428]

i am having the same problem and my daughter is 23 months old. i 've been having this problem since i was pregnant.i had never had any problems with constipation until i fell pregnant.my bowl movement before i became pregnant was regular, at least once a day. but now if i don't take laxitaives, i cannot go to the loo. i've even tried fybogel and senekot fibre powder to liquid but none of them seem to work. i also drink alot of water. everytime i tell my doctor,she just tells me to drink alot of water and eats loads of fibre which i already do but i'm really getting frustrated now and i don't know what to do. is there anything that anyone can recommend for me~?
thanks

[berna920]

well at least im not alone, my son is 3 weeks old and i am in the worst pain, it feels like i have to go but of course nothing come out. i have even took some citric magnesium and that work for as little as a day. This pain feels like im in labor or something. But i am going to try the fiber thing for a couple of days and see if that will help, hope everyone gets better!

[kharri1]

I had my son a week ago and i have had this problem too. Thanx for all the advice posted here i been looking everywhere for some real answers from real moms like you! Also like some of you i have been having some terrible pain when i try to go the only thing that has helped me with that is  Tucks, and the topical spray that the nurse gave me at the hospital when I read what it is called I'll post it here. I am going to try every thing listed here because the Colace just is not working. I thought i would have to resort to an enema. YIKES!!

[ather2010]

hi i have a same problem since my son is born.he is 5 months now but i have a terrible piles or a fissures even the doctors are confuse some say its a fissure some say its a piles i dont know what to belive in.anyays you are not alone i never had it untill i deliverd a baby but still suffering

[LadySnape]

I had my second daughter 4 weeks ago and it is really hard to go and it hurts. Before i got pregnant with this child my stomach was upset all the time and i would be in the bathroom at least 3 times a day. I miss it being upset cause now i cant go. I tried eating fiber, and i dont know if i am eating enough or what. I want to try something but dont know if it will mess with breastfeeding. I am frustrated and just want to be regular again.