What A BOWEL-it?

Pooping.  Its being talked about by pregnant women all around the world, especially that fun little conversation they are having with their birth partner about (OH NO, SHE’S GOING THERE!) seeing them poop during pushing.  Sorry, friends.  Its 100% possible and happens a bunch.  No worries though.  Those L&D nurses have you covered!  They are faster than superman (you know, the speeding bullet) to clean up and move on to the big show.  As thrilling as that conversation is, I’ll let you continue to have that talk behind the closed doors of your bedroom, or in your mommy groups.  

Today, I want to talk about the post-baby BM. 

Right when you thought the thrill of pushing was over…

Let’s paint a picture.  You’re sitting there, marveling at the newest member of your family.  Your partner is passed out on the poor excuse for a pull out sofa that the hospital has offered.  Your room is teeeeeeny and cramped compared to the suite you, just yesterday, brought this lovable, squishable, joy into the world but you could care less because, hey, that kid looks like you!  Here comes your sweet postpartum nurse to check all the vitals of everyone important in the room.  You glance over at your partner, back at your baby, then to the tightening blood pressure cuff around your arm, back to your baby.  Nurse Happy speaks.  “How’s your pain?  If you’re ready, your due for some more drugs and I also brought a stool softener.”  HUH?  “Oh My Goodness.  I have to poop again, someday.  I didn’t even think about pooping again!,” you think as she stands there, smiling and patiently awaiting your response.  “Yes,” you mumbled quietly as she delivers the meds and skips away.

That, er, first movement, post birthing a baby is kind of terrifying for most women.  No matter if you had a vaginal birth or a cesarean birth, the thought of applying any sort of “pushing pressure” is no picnic in the park.  As we talked about last time, the post-birth picture of a vaginal delivery could include tearing and subsequent stitches, lots of swelling, maybe an awesome hemorrhoid or five and, well, some muscle memory of what just happened.  But, a mama’s got to eat and that food as got to go somewhere.  (It ain’t all going to your boobs!)  Let me ease your minds, if I can.  Go ahead and pretend that I am gently stroking your face as I tell you this.  

You will poop again and, someday, it won’t be terrifying.

Start with the easy stuff.  Take your stool softener and get your mind right.  You might need to give yourself a little pep talk. I did.  Then, once you feel the urge, sit down in the appropriate place and repeat after me - “You can do this.  You’ve done this so many times before.  Come on, mama.  You got this.”  Keep imagining me stroking your face gently if you’d like.  Don’t forget your “support squad.”   Peri bottle, pads, new mesh undies, that “after baby bottom spray,” some Tucks, maybe even one of those after birth ice packs that were so lovely.  It’s like packing a hospital bag all over again!  Lastly, tread lightly.  This is a process.  Your body will regulate in kinds of ways postpartum but it does take time.  If you feel like its taking too much time or something is off, call your provider.  

See you on the other side of the bathroom door, mamas!

Cat LaPlante, www.birthfreely.com 

Some products** I used personally, post delivery that made me bottom happy - 

http://earthmamaangelbaby.com/products/new-mama-bottom-spray

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/colace-stool-softener-capsules/ID=prod352977-product

http://www.tucksbrand.com/medicated-pads

http://www.amazon.com/Medline-Perineal-Cold-Packs/dp/B00OWGTSPG

http://www.amazon.com/Lavette-Bottle-Perineal-Irrigation-DYND70125H/dp/B000VSXSX2/ref=sr_1_2?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1422629788&sr=1-2&keywords=peri+bottle









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