Post csection question

[G22]

Possibly TMI lol

I'm almost 3 weeks post partum after a csection. Feeling pretty good and nearly back to normal for the most part, except in one area. I'm just curious if this is normal for this stage of healing or if its something I should call my OB about.

Pooping...I'm doing it and pretty regularly like before. Normally pre-CS, when have to go I will get some mild-moderate cramps and need to go asap. I've always called them surprise poops 🙈 they are still like that now post-CS, but the cramps are way more intense. Like they stop me in my tracks when they hit. It very clearly tied to needing to use the bathroom (or having gas, they have hit when I was gassy lately too), because it passes once I go so I'm not terribly concerned it's something else.

But is this normal for this point in healing? It's like my deep muscles just aren't fully healed enough for dealing with those cramps I usually get. But it's kind of annoying and I'm hoping this isnt my new normal from now on.

[humpforfree]

Hmm I don’t remember that happening, but it doesn’t sound like something out of the ordinary or to be worried about. I’d probably ask (does your Ob have a portal you can email through- I’d prefer that than face to face for this question 🤣), but not be super worried? It seems like something that could still be part of the healing process.

[urbancowgirl]

I didn't have anything like that happen, either, but agree that it's worth asking your OB about it.

[icedcoffee]

This sounds normal to me. I had some weird stomach/pooping issues for a few weeks. Like either I was constipated and not going enough or I was going too much. Have you been taking a stool softener? I'd take Colace daily for a few weeks. I was on it probably a month after giving birth. Even if you're going regularly it doesn't necessarily mean you're not constipated.

Also--breastfeeding jacks up my poops for a little while since it gives me uterus cramps which then make me poop URGENTLY!

This was basically a long way of saying it sounds normal and I'd continue with a daily Colace. Should be gone in the next couple weeks.

[G22]

Nov 12, 2019 13:17:34 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

This sounds normal to me. I had some weird stomach/pooping issues for a few weeks. Like either I was constipated and not going enough or I was going too much. Have you been taking a stool softener? I'd take Colace daily for a few weeks. I was on it probably a month after giving birth. Even if you're going regularly it doesn't necessarily mean you're not constipated.

Also--breastfeeding jacks up my poops for a little while since it gives me uterus cramps which then make me poop URGENTLY!

This was basically a long way of saying it sounds normal and I'd continue with a daily Colace. Should be gone in the next couple weeks.

I'm not on colace anymore. They were giving it to me while I was still in the hospital and then I just stopped once I was discharged. But maybe I'll start back on it and see if that helps at all. It cant hurt anything at this point!

I'm not breastfeeding, but I am exclusively pumping for the time being which does similar things to breastfeeding if I compare to last time when I was exclusively BFing DS.

Like I said, I'm not worried per se. But first delivery was a vaginal birth and this isnt something I remember, so I was curious if it's a csection thing. I think my OB has messaging through the portal system, if I can figure it out maybe I'll send a message and ask about it as well.

[icedcoffee]

Nov 12, 2019 13:41:51 GMT -5 G22 said:

Nov 12, 2019 13:17:34 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

This sounds normal to me. I had some weird stomach/pooping issues for a few weeks. Like either I was constipated and not going enough or I was going too much. Have you been taking a stool softener? I'd take Colace daily for a few weeks. I was on it probably a month after giving birth. Even if you're going regularly it doesn't necessarily mean you're not constipated.

Also--breastfeeding jacks up my poops for a little while since it gives me uterus cramps which then make me poop URGENTLY!

This was basically a long way of saying it sounds normal and I'd continue with a daily Colace. Should be gone in the next couple weeks.

I'm not on colace anymore. They were giving it to me while I was still in the hospital and then I just stopped once I was discharged. But maybe I'll start back on it and see if that helps at all. It cant hurt anything at this point!

I'm not breastfeeding, but I am exclusively pumping for the time being which does similar things to breastfeeding if I compare to last time when I was exclusively BFing DS.

Like I said, I'm not worried per se. But first delivery was a vaginal birth and this isnt something I remember, so I was curious if it's a csection thing. I think my OB has messaging through the portal system, if I can figure it out maybe I'll send a message and ask about it as well.

It can't hurt to ask.  It does sound normal though.  Pooping issues from all the drugs and gas issues from having your abdomen cut open are both normal.  

[katespade]

I had similar issues after my c-section, and it lasted long enough that I brought it up to my OB at my six week follow up. She said it was totally normal, usually caused by postpartum hormones, and should resolve itself eventually. I think my issues finally started going away around 8 weeks PP.

[G22]

Nov 12, 2019 13:57:35 GMT -5 katespade said:

I had similar issues after my c-section, and it lasted long enough that I brought it up to my OB at my six week follow up. She said it was totally normal, usually caused by postpartum hormones, and should resolve itself eventually. I think my issues finally started going away around 8 weeks PP.

Good to hear! Both that yours resolved and that its probably normal. I finally asked here because googling this issue is harder than it sounds and I wasnt finding many answers.

[lucky428]

My left side of my incision hurt significantly worse for quite some time, then the pain would come back (only on the left) if I wore certain pants or did certain activities. I was told it was normal.

Feel better!!

[dreamcrisp1]

I had this too and it’s gone now. Sounds normal to me!

[kellikans]

I didn't have this issue, but it doesn't sound out of the ordinary. And another vote for the daily colace. I think I took it for a month after both DS and DD were born. I was afraid of having painful poops.

[robinsbff]

i have definitely felt cramping like you describe this time around. i don't remember it last time, but the actual pooping doesn't hurt but it's like activating the right muscles/getting started is just waves of weird cramping. i figured it was just all my intestines and other organs settling back into new positions/readjusting after months of being shoved aside/smooshed by baby.

i'm about 2.5 weeks out and it's gotten better in the past few days -- hope it starts improving for you too!

[G22]

Nov 12, 2019 21:52:23 GMT -5 robinsbff said:

i have definitely felt cramping like you describe this time around. i don't remember it last time, but the actual pooping doesn't hurt but it's like activating the right muscles/getting started is just waves of weird cramping. i figured it was just all my intestines and other organs settling back into new positions/readjusting after months of being shoved aside/smooshed by baby.

i'm about 2.5 weeks out and it's gotten better in the past few days -- hope it starts improving for you too!

Yes this is exactly how it feels. It's just the feeling right before I need to go that hurts, but actually going does not. I sort of figured it was something similar, just things healing and re-adjusting after being moved around during pregnacy/surgery. The last couple days have been a bit better, so hopefully it will ease up a little each day.

[Patsy Baloney]

SURPRISE! poops is a good way to put it, lol. I experienced this, too, with my second c-section. I don't recall it with my first.

I am 6 months PP now, and it is mostly resolved. I do find that closer to my period I have a few more, "Hold that thought, I have to run to the bathroom," moments than I recall pre-pregnancy, but the worst of it has definitely passed.

I think I'll likely have 2 forever-changes to my body thanks to my DS: plantar fasciitis and occasionally sensitive digestive system.

[icedcoffee]

Nov 13, 2019 13:25:31 GMT -5 Patsy Baloney said:

I think I'll likely have 2 forever-changes to my body thanks to my DS: plantar fasciitis and occasionally sensitive digestive system.

I'm dealing with the plantar fascitis too.  It sucks.  I had it after DS1 and then it went away at some point, but now its back after DS2 and I'd guess it's going to stay.  :::sob:::

[Patsy Baloney]

Nov 13, 2019 13:48:22 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Nov 13, 2019 13:25:31 GMT -5 Patsy Baloney said:

I think I'll likely have 2 forever-changes to my body thanks to my DS: plantar fasciitis and occasionally sensitive digestive system.

I'm dealing with the plantar fascitis too.  It sucks.  I had it after DS1 and then it went away at some point, but now its back after DS2 and I'd guess it's going to stay.  :::sob:::

I've had bouts of it before, but this really bad stretch started as I was trying to throw myself into labor by walking and walking and walking, and it has never gone away. I even bought ugly shoes to help it, and it only ever takes the pain down, but never fully gone away 

Shortly after I had DS, I went to get up off the couch, put my feet down to stand up, and flopped over because of the foot pain howling, "Shiiiiiiiiit!" My poor H jumped up and thought it was, oh I dunno, the abdominal surgery I had just had. He was ready to call the doctor and I'm just hissing, "nooooo it's my foooooot!" 

THANKS A LOT, DS!