Your Body After Baby

Uh-Oh! It's a No-Go

First you were terrified you'd poop on the delivery table; now you can't go at all. After you give birth, it can take two to three days to have a bowel movement. Weakened abdominal muscles, bowels traumatized from delivery, or use of narcotic painkillers can cause the backup. Many moms fret that they will rip their stitches, so they hold it in, which only makes matters worse.

HANDLE IT AT HOME
To keep things moving along, down at least eight glasses of water a day plus plenty of fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Try not to worry about those stitches; they might smart a bit, but it's rare for them to tear, and resisting the urge to go can make you even more constipated. Walking around will help too. Just limit any strenuous activities, particularly if you've had a C-section.

DIAL YOUR DOC
If you haven't had a BM within seven days of delivery, you might need a stool softener or laxative.

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