Yes, you can and should go to the toilet after giving birth, but it might be uncomfortable due to soreness, stitches, or constipation, so it's important to take it easy, stay hydrated, eat fibre, and use gentle techniques like a peri bottle or footstool to make it easier and safer for both urinating and having a bowel movement, avoiding straining.
Urination is sort of imminent after birth, but your first bowel movement might not come for several days after you leave the hospital. Here are some time-tested tips that will allow your body to regulate itself as swiftly and painlessly as possible.
A common fear about the first poo after birth is the risk of damaging perineal stitches. Fortunately, it is very unlikely that your stitches will tear during a bowel movement. These stitches are designed to be durable and withstand the pressures of postpartum recovery.
The quick answer? The first poop after birth can range from painless to uncomfortable to painful, depending on several variables. The first postpartum poop is something few people think about during pregnancy, but nearly everyone worries about in the hours and days after giving birth.
If you have stitches, opening your bowels should not open them. Try to relax and rest your elbows on your knees. Do not strain as this weakens your pelvic floor. Bulge out your tummy by taking big abdominal breaths, which will help expel your stool without straining.
Don't wipe! Dab and use a peri bottle. Wiping can be irritating to the skin, using a peri bottle to clean after a bowel movement is gentle and will help in healing. Also, if you have hemorrhoids talk to your medical provider about soothing treatments you can use such as Tucks pads, aloe and/or coconut oil.
The 5-5-5 rule is a postpartum guideline for the first 15 days of recovery, emphasizing rest to help the new parent heal and bond with the baby, by spending 5 days in bed, followed by 5 days on the bed, and then 5 days near the bed, gradually increasing activity while prioritizing rest, nourishment, and self-care over chores or visitors. It's a framework for creating boundaries and slowing down to prevent overexertion, though individual recovery needs should guide the pace.
After birth, or after a catheter has been removed, you should feel a normal urge to pass urine within four hours. Your midwife will ask you to catch all of your urine the first time that you go to the toilet after birth or after the removal of a catheter.
You may feel some suture material for 1-4 weeks depending on what type of suture was used. Bleeding after delivery will continue for 4-8 weeks but should get lighter after the first few days. You may have a return of bright red bleeding 7-10 days after delivery, this is normal if it is similar to a period or less.
Breastfed newborns might poo every time they eat, especially early on. After 6 weeks, they might not poo for many days. Formula-fed newborns might poo up to 5 times a day. But, after a few months, it might be once a day.
Going to the toilet
At first, the thought of peeing can be a bit frightening – because of the soreness. Drinking lots of water dilutes your urine, which may make it sting less. Tell your midwife if: you're finding it really difficult to pee.
The first six to 12 hours after you give birth is considered the acute phase of postpartum recovery. Within this window parents are at their highest risk for conditions like postpartum eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, and certain medical emergencies.
On the second night, babies often nurse on and off for hours. Many new parents are caught off guard by this pattern, and some assume that their babies are starving.
There is no hard-and-fast rule for when infants are ready to have visitors or be out in public. Some parents may wait a few months before letting their babies have contact with people outside of the immediate family. Others are okay with visitors and take their babies out to public places much sooner.
Normal lochia after birth has a strong fishy smell like menstruation, lochia usually lasts about 20 days on average, or can be up to 40 - 45 days. The color and amount of lochia after birth can change over time.
2nd-degree vaginal tears
These tears may go deeper into the vagina. Second-degree tears typically require stitches. That often can be done in the delivery room. Healing usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks.
Some tips to try:
The hardest week with a newborn is often considered the first six weeks, especially weeks 2-3, due to extreme sleep deprivation, constant feeding demands, learning baby's cues, postpartum recovery, and a peak in inconsolable crying (the "witching hour"), making parents feel overwhelmed as they adjust to a new, exhausting routine. While the first week is tough, the challenges often intensify as the baby becomes more alert but still fussy, with major developmental hurdles like cluster feeding and increased fussiness peaking around 6-8 weeks.
Newborns only worry about whether someone is meeting their needs, and it doesn't matter who that person is. It isn't until they're between five and eight months old that they begin to miss you. Object permanence is why your baby misses you when you're not there.
The 7 key danger signs for newborns, often highlighted by organizations like the WHO, are not feeding well, convulsions, fast breathing, severe chest indrawing, lethargy/unconsciousness (movement only when stimulated), high or low temperature, and jaundice (yellow skin/soles) or signs of local infection like an infected umbilical stump, requiring immediate medical attention.
The 2-hour rule for babies means they shouldn't stay in a car seat (or travel system seat) for more than two hours at a time, whether in or out of the car, because the semi-upright position can strain their developing spine and restrict their breathing, increasing the risk of low oxygen levels, especially for newborns and preemies. For long journeys, parents should take breaks every two hours to take the baby out, allow them to lie flat for a while, stretch, and feed, ensuring they get proper head/neck support and circulation.
In those first few weeks postpartum, your cervix is still somewhat dilated, regardless of whether you had a vaginal delivery or a c-section. There's a theory – though no research has confirmed this – that tub water could travel into your uterus, introduce bacteria, and cause an infection.
The first three months with your baby often seem the hardest. Sleep-deprived parents can feel overwhelmed, but that is normal and you will quickly learn how to read your baby's cues and personality. Don't worry about “spoiling” your baby at this stage. The more responsive you are, the more secure your baby will feel.
Everyone's birth experience is different, so there isn't a clear answer. If you had an epidural or other pain relievers during delivery, you'll likely have no clue if or how much you tore until your provider tells you. However, even if you deliver with no pain medication, you may not feel a vaginal tear.
You may have heard that people are “super fertile” after giving birth, but there's no scientific evidence indicating that fertility increases post childbirth.