Pregnancy And Baby Care
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Bowel Movements
Causes and Remedies for Postpartum Bowel Movements
After delivery, women often tend to experience discomfort with regard to their bowel movements. Thus, postpartum bowel movements tend to be very difficult and uncomfortable. Postpartum bowel movements become a problem on account of several reasons. One of the most important reasons is that the stomach muscles that help encourage bowel movements tend to become weak after childbirth. This leads to constipation and other problems. In addition, your bowels may be strained and weakened by delivery and postpartum bowel movements are..
read more...
Related Articles
Pregnancy And Baby Care Questions
Continued...
...consequently problematic. Food intake also determines bowel movements and since you don't eat much during labor and the process of delivery, postpartum bowel movements are difficult and painful.
Causes that Influence Postpartum Bowel Movements
In addition, there are several psychological factors that influence postpartum bowel movements. New mothers tend to be cautious about splitting recent stitches and about experiencing more pain soon after childbirth. This may also lead to problems in postpartum bowel movements. You may also tend to feel embarrassed in a shared hospital room and may worry about worsening hemorrhoids. Such factors contribute to an increased level of stress and interfere with normal bowel movements.
Some women may also suffer from incontinence after childbirth. It may be difficult to control your pelvic muscles that have weakened after childbirth, thereby resulting in a problematic postpartum bowel movement. While this is a problem that will get better over time, there are several things you can do to relieve your symptoms at home. One of the most important things to remember while suffering from a troublesome postpartum bowel movement is to maintain a high fiber diet.
Irrespective of whether you are still in the hospital or at home, ensure that you eat an adequate amount of fiber in your meals. Whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits are excellent sources of fiber and help make postpartum bowel movements smoother. Dried nuts and fruits are also good sources of fiber and help relieve symptoms of constipation. Avoid eating foods like chocolate that may aggravate constipation and drink plenty of water and other fluids to help keep your body hydrated and to soften your stools.
Remedies for Bowel Movements Postpartum
Try to get some exercise to help your postpartum bowel movements. Go for a walk everyday or keep practicing your Kegel exercises and this will help reduce problems with bowel movements after childbirth. Keep calm and don't worry about your bowel movements too much. A reduction in stress levels may also help treat bowel problems. Ask your physician for a mild laxative in case postpartum bowel movements are particularly problematic or painful.
Postpartum Bowel Movements