After having a baby - especially after a vaginal delivery - many women develop hemorrhoids. Symptoms include pain, rectal itching, bleeding after having a bowel movement, or a swollen area around the anus. How to treat: You can use a sitz bath (a basin filled with warm water) or a bath to soak yourself in warm water.
The treatments are increasing water intake, trying stool softeners or laxatives, drainage of the wound, or taking antibiotics. If pain persists, Dr. Mounir recommends seeing your doctor. If the swelling does not resolve or the pain is unbearable, a doctor might be able to excise the clot to relieve the swelling.
The soreness should go away in a few days. Bleeding and vaginal discharge (lochia) may last for 2 to 4 weeks and can come and go for about 2 months. Vaginal soreness, including pain, discomfort, and numbness, is common after vaginal birth.
It can be caused by trauma to the coccyx, like a fall or an instrument-assisted vaginal delivery, prolonged sitting on a hard surface, or by some other underlying health condition.
Straight talk: The first poop after giving birth can be challenging. It can be hard to pass, and may be more painful than you expected. That's because after you give birth, the perineum (the area between the bottom of the vaginal opening and the anus) is still sore and tender, especially if you have stitches.
If you've had stitches or a tear, doing a poo won't make the tear any bigger, or make your stitches come away. It's understandable to feel vulnerable about this part of your body. Feeling tense will make it harder for you to do a poo, though.
Sit in a position that encourages proper positioning
Heard of a squatty potty? They're actually wonderful for putting the pelvic floor in a great position for going to the bathroom. If you can't get a stool, try elevating each of your feet on a surface to make a more natural squat, which will make going easier.
Most women will stop bleeding between four and six weeks after giving birth. Some women may bleed for longer or shorter than this.
Don't drink alcohol, use street drugs or use harmful drugs. All of these can affect your mood and make you feel worse. And they can make it hard for you to take care of your baby. Ask for help from your partner, family and friends.
Postpartum back pain is very common. Many of the physical and hormonal changes that contributed to your backaches during pregnancy can still cause you discomfort after giving birth – and new factors like changes in your posture and carrying your baby may also cause pain.
In some cultures, women stay in the house with their new baby for a month or more. But it is also fine to take your baby outside as soon as you feel ready. It is a good idea to go out when your baby is calm and happy. After a feed and a nappy change is a good time.
There are many conditions that may cause pressure in your rectum, including constipation, diarrhea, anal fissure, and hemorrhoids as well as some less common causes like diverticulitis and rectal prolapse. Pressure in the rectum often feels like stool (poop) is stuck in the anus and rectum.
If you had a straightforward birth, you can start gentle exercise as soon as you feel up to it. This could include walking, gentle stretches, pelvic floor and tummy exercises. It's usually a good idea to wait until after your 6-week postnatal check before you start any high-impact exercise, such as aerobics or running.
Take over-the-counter pain medications, and use a hot pack or a cold pack. Or alternate heat and ice on the area, 15 to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Try gentle daily stretches for your legs, hips and buttocks. To relieve pressure, use a cushion when you're sitting.
Small amounts of pain that go away after a few days or a week are normal, but deep gluteal syndrome causes pain that is usually more severe and doesn't go away, even with rest and basic care at home. Some other conditions are similar to deep gluteal syndrome, part of it, or have many of the same symptoms.
The 555 postpartum rule is a great guideline that suggests five days in bed, five days on the bed, and five days around the bed, adding up to 15 days of taking it easy and allowing yourself to recover gently during this time.
One thing that often surprises my patients is that you should not drive for two weeks after delivery. All deliveries, whether vaginal or cesarean, involve some blood loss. This blood loss could cause some weakness which could impair your driving ability.
The first few weeks after delivery are an important time for you to rest whenever you can. Try and sleep or rest when your baby sleeps. This rest will help you recover. Avoiding heavy lifting: You should avoid lifting anything that's heavier than your baby while you're recovering.
If the placenta, or pieces of the placenta, stay inside your uterus, you can develop an infection. A retained placenta or membrane has to be removed and you will need to see your doctor right away. If you have major bleeding, this is a medical emergency and you should go to your nearest hospital immediately.
How do I know if my lochia is infected? The biggest sign of infection is foul-smelling or greenish-colored vaginal discharge. Contact your healthcare provider as they may want to check for infection.
Brace yourself…the first period after giving birth is typically heavier than normal because there is extra blood in your uterine lining that needs to be shed. You may enjoy easier periods due to physical changes in the uterus and cervix, although some folks experience stronger cramps.
Eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, salad, wholegrain cereals and wholemeal bread, and drink plenty of water. This should make pooing easier and less painful. Try not to push or strain – this will make the piles worse. Let your midwife know if you feel very uncomfortable.
When you're ready for your first postpartum poop, or you're in the bathroom because ready or not here it comes, try to let gravity assist you. Small, gentle pushes are okay but let your poop come naturally, without straining.
Pelvic floor changes: The process of delivering a baby stretches the muscles in your pelvic floor, which can also cause changes in the rectum. More stool may collect in your intestines before it's finally expelled.