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Constipation after childbirth: what to do? Constipation is an acute problem after childbirth

Often a young woman, awaiting the birth of her first child, stoically withstands all sorts of problems in her body associated with pregnancy: heartburn, constipation, nausea, swelling, etc. Two thoughts help her with this. The first is to give birth healthy child. And the second is that after giving birth, all this disgrace seems to be on cue. magic wand will stop, and she, a happy mother, will become strong, healthy and beautiful again. But now the birth is over, but some of the “unpleasant extra weight” remains, and some have been added. Among these “somethings” is constipation, which can make your life more difficult after having a baby.

Constipation is difficult or systematic incomplete emptying intestines (defecation) or absence thereof for one and a half days or more. Constipation in the postpartum period is usually associated with several reasons:

  • A sharp change in hormonal levels.
  • Weakening and stretching of the abdominal and perineal muscles.
  • Uterine pressure. In the early postpartum period, the uterus is still enlarged and to some extent continues to put pressure on the intestines. (Immediately after birth, the weight of the uterus is about a kilogram, and it returns to normal, “non-pregnant” size only after 6-8 weeks).
  • Change in bowel position abdominal cavity, its gradual shift to its usual place.
  • Violation of peristalsis (motor activity of the intestine, due to which food masses move).
  • Fear of straining due to sutures (placed in cases of caesarean section, episiotomy, ruptures) and hemorrhoids.
  • Irrational diet for a nursing mother.
  • Psychological stress associated with caring for a child and a new family status.
  • Congenital features intestines, for example, its elongated sections.

Why does constipation occur?

Based on the mechanism of occurrence, two types of defecation disorders can be distinguished.

First type - atonic, in which the tone of the muscle wall of the intestine decreases, peristalsis becomes sluggish and unproductive. Atonic constipation often occurs due to muscle weakness, after a cesarean section. This is a normal gut reaction to any surgery in the abdominal cavity. It can also occur due to dietary mistakes.

Another form is spastic constipation, when intestinal tone is increased and peristalsis becomes unproductive due to the “squeezed” state of the intestine. Psychological reasons are more typical for this type.

Atonic constipation may be accompanied by pulling, aching pain in the stomach, a feeling of intestinal fullness, increased gas formation, lack of appetite, nausea, lethargy, apathy, depressed mood. When defecation occurs, there is a lot of feces, the initial portion is formed, dense, larger in diameter than normal, the final portion is runny. Defecation is painful, there may be tears in the mucous membrane of the rectum and anus, then streaks of blood and (or) mucus remain on the surface of the stool.

In the spastic form, the pain is paroxysmal, most often in the left side of the abdomen. There may be flatulence, lack of appetite, fatigue, nervousness, irritability, nausea, feces in the form of so-called “sheep feces” - very dense stools in small round portions. The urge to defecate may even occur several times a day, but bowel movements are incomplete, difficult, and in small portions.

Separately, it should be said about constipation associated with lengthening of the large intestine. Although outwardly they appear as spastic form, such constipation is not associated with contraction of the intestines, but with a longer passage of feces along a longer path. At the same time, it is absorbed back into the body from the intestinal contents. large quantity water and the stool becomes hard. Such constipation is treated not as spastic, but rather as atonic, but more on that later.

Solving the problem of constipation

To solve the problem of constipation, a young mother in any case needs to choose the right diet, taking into account breastfeeding and possible allergic reactions, which are different for each baby. Healthy: muesli, buckwheat, millet and pearl barley, oat bran, black bread, vegetable oils, fresh and cooked vegetables and fruits (carrots, beets, pumpkin, zucchini, spinach, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, dried fruit compotes, melon, apples, apricots, cherries), dairy products.

You can take a decoction of gooseberries (pour a tablespoon of berries into a glass of water and boil for 10 minutes, then strain). Take it a quarter glass 4 times a day, if necessary, you can add sugar. When brewing tea, you can add slices of dried apples or cherries. In atonic constipation, bowel function is stimulated by a glass cool water, drunk in the morning on an empty stomach.

If you have constipation, you should not drink strong tea, mucous soups, semolina porridge, white bread, wheat bran, polished rice, blueberries, quinces, pears, currants, strawberries, legumes, walnuts. Hard cheeses can also slow down peristalsis.

Attention! With frequent and long-term (several times a week for 1-2 months) use of almost any laxatives (both medicinal and herbal), addiction can develop, requiring an increase in the dose of the laxative. The effect of its use weakens, and the problem of constipation itself worsens.

When breastfeeding, taking laxatives - Forlax and Fortrans - is not contraindicated.

The following ready-made laxatives should not be taken while breastfeeding: Gutalax, Regulax, Chitosan-Evalar, Dulcolax (aka Bisacodyl), Doctor Theiss - Swedish bitters.

Preparations (Sennalax, Glaxenna, Trisasen) based on senna (aka Cassia aculifolia) or Alexandria leaf increase the tone of the muscle wall of the intestine, so it should not be taken for spastic forms of constipation. When breastfeeding, they must be taken very carefully, as they can cause intestinal pain in the baby.

To solve the problems of constipation, herbal medicine offers the following recipes.

For spastic forms of constipation

  • Freshly prepared potato juice, diluted in water 1 to 1, take a quarter glass half an hour before meals 2-3 times a day.
  • A decoction of figs in milk or water at the rate of 2 tablespoons of raw material per 1 glass of boiling water; you need to let it cool at room temperature and take 1 tablespoon 2-4 times a day.
  • Mix in equal parts the fruits of anise, nettle herb, rhizome of valerian officinalis, wild strawberry leaves, chamomile flowers, peppermint leaves. Brew a tablespoon of the collection with a glass of boiling water in a thermos and leave for 1.5 hours, then strain. Take half a glass after meals in the morning and evening.

For atonic forms of constipation

  • Mix equal parts of anise, cumin and fennel. Brew 2 teaspoons of the mixture with a glass of boiling water, leave for 15-20 minutes, strain, drink a third of a glass 3 times a day half an hour before meals. Please note that for this collection the seeds must be ripe.
  • In equal parts, take oregano herb, rowan berries, gray blackberry leaves, stinging nettle herb and fennel fruits. Brew a tablespoon of the collection with 1 glass of boiling water, leave in a thermos for 1.5 hours, strain, take a third of a glass 3 times a day after meals.
  • The safest, most effective and multi-use way to relieve postpartum constipation is through exercise. Stretched abdominal muscles do not provide full support to the abdominal organs, and there is a risk of developing a hernia of the white line ( midline abdomen), the uterus contracts more slowly. Flabby skin and abdominal muscles do not decorate the figure, exacerbating emotional discomfort. Stretched muscles of the perineum cannot become a reliable support for the pelvic organs - there is a threat that the uterus will descend into the vagina, causing prolapse or prolapse of the uterus.

By regularly performing physical exercises, you can get rid of the problems acquired during pregnancy. extra pounds, improve well-being, increase self-esteem, improve emotional background, gather strength. They may object to me: “What else is gymnastics when I’m already falling off my feet from fatigue!” That’s right, a mother’s work cannot be underestimated, but this fatigue is not so much physical as psychological, from lack of sleep, from various worries and simply from muscle detraining that gradually arose during the last months of pregnancy. Without exercise, muscle strength cannot be restored. There is no need to tear the barbells, it is enough to spend 5-10 minutes a day on exercises (it is advisable to do a set of exercises several times a day).


The day after birth

  1. Lying on your back, arms free along the body, legs slightly bent at the knees, do deep breath and inflate your stomach, hold your breath a little and exhale forcefully through your mouth, while trying as hard as possible stronger belly pull in Repeat 5 or more times.

On the third day after birth

  1. The starting position is the same, knees pressed against each other. At the same time as you inhale normally, tense your muscles pelvic floor(as to prevent defecation), holding your breath slightly, exhale and relax. Repeat several times.
  2. The starting position is the same. Simultaneously with inhalation, lift up right leg And left hand, while exhaling - lower. Repeat with left leg and right arm. Repeat 5 times or more.
  3. Standing, feet shoulder-width apart, arms extended forward. Without lifting your legs, turn your body to the right, moving your right arm back as far as possible, inhale. Return to the starting position, exhale. Repeat on the other side. Perform the exercise several times.

On the fourth day after birth

  1. Starting position - as in exercise No. 4. Clasp your fingers together in front of you. As you turn your torso, try to move your arms as far back as possible. Repeat several times.
  2. Lying on your back, arms free along the body, legs bent at the knees, while inhaling, raise your pelvis and hold it for several seconds, and lower with an exhalation. Repeat.
  3. Standing on all fours, while inhaling, draw in your stomach and perineum, hold your breath for a couple of seconds, and exhale, relax. Repeat.

2 weeks after birth

  1. While standing, raise your hands to your shoulders, put your elbows forward. Bend your right leg at the knee and lift it, try to touch your left elbow with your knee. Repeat several times in both directions.
  2. Make exercise No. 6 more difficult by spreading your legs slightly apart and at the moment of lifting the pelvis, strain the muscles of the perineum, as in exercise No. 2. Repeat several times.
  3. Lying on your back, alternately bring the knee bent and hip joints leg.

In the proposed mode, this complex can be performed by women who have not had a cesarean section or deep tears.

If you have had surgery or complex ruptures of the perineum, cervix or other complications, then before performing physical exercise consult your doctor.

For atonic constipation in the morning, before getting out of bed, you can vigorously rub the skin around the navel and to the left of it with the fingers of both hands. groin area. The legs are slightly bent at the knees; the massage should be done for 4-5 minutes.

With spastic constipation, on the contrary, soft, slightly pressured stroking of the entire abdomen in a clockwise direction helps.

To prevent and treat hemorrhoids, after each bowel movement, be sure to irrigate the anus with a cool shower. You can relieve irritation using microenemas with flaxseed infusion (pour a tablespoon with a glass of boiling water and leave for 3 hours, take 50 ml of a little warmed infusion into a syringe; the procedure can be repeated several times a day as necessary).

Be careful! Use of drugs horse chestnut(dietary supplement, herbal teas, cream for treatment varicose veins and hemorrhoids) can significantly reduce or even stop lactation.

For irrigation, you can use an infusion of oak bark (2 parts) and 1 part each of horsetail herb, valerian root or horse chestnut seeds, chamomile flowers; and an infusion of 1 part sage leaves mixed with 2 parts oak bark. Both infusions are prepared in the same way: a tablespoon of the mixture is brewed with a glass of boiling water, heated in a water bath for 15 minutes, and infused for another 40 minutes. The infusion is allowed to cool at room temperature and filtered. Compresses, baths or irrigations with these infusions can be done several times a day. To carry out the procedure, the mixture of infusions must be poured into a syringe and irrigated the perineal area without inserting the syringe into the rectum.

In conclusion, I would like to note that the problem that has become the subject of our conversation is unpleasant, but completely solvable. And if you follow all the doctor’s recommendations, you will soon be able to cope with it.

Anna Ivanchina
general practitioner, Medical Center Administration of the President of the Russian Federation

Discussion

I’m the same, after giving birth I suffered from constipation, but even before I had them from time to time. I only recently found a solution for myself, I put a bag of Exportal in my tea and drink it with food, and soon everything goes away for me :)

My sister gave birth 3 weeks ago and since then constipation has plagued her every day. Some laxatives are ineffective now, they don’t help at all (((

16.01.2017 17:12:37, TatyanaLemesheva

Senna is the most powerful and terrible thing you can think of! There is no need to use it after childbirth. It is better to use Rektaktiv, but not many times, but 1-2 times to improve stool or when you can’t strain after a caesarean section.

03/14/2016 13:19:23, Yulia_Ya

I tried senna grass and read about it on the Internet. I don’t know who and how she actually helped, but she gave me terrible colic that I couldn’t even get up. Until the doctor scolded me for such experiments on myself and put me on a course of Forlax, I still couldn’t cope with the problem of constipation. I no longer experiment with enemas or herbs, but use proven remedies without side effects

10/28/2015 12:10:20, Alla Sankova

You can do it stoically, but somehow I don’t like to suffer from this at all.
So it’s better to still treat.
Of the above, constipation was the worst for me - Forlax helped out, good drug. Unfortunately, the candles didn’t help me at all.

I also switched to Rektaktiv, it suited me very well, it worked within the first 10 minutes.

31.03.2015 17:20:38, Alexandra Ignatova

I prefer laxative suppositories made from dry horse chestnut extract; they quickly stimulate intestinal function and there is no discomfort with them.

03/21/2015 16:13:29, Afina333

Rektaktiv suppositories help me best; they act quickly and are very gentle.

05.03.2015 18:23:53, Raisa Viktorovna

And I often have constipation, spasms, seething. The pregnancy, thank God, passed more or less, from the second trimester I took Trimedat, it really helped, stimulated the intestines, but I thought after giving birth the problem would end, but that was not the case. After giving birth it got even worse; my intestines didn’t want to work at all. I didn’t breastfeed, but now I always keep Trimedat on hand.

09.19.2013 17:16:43, Nata Dem.

Comment on the article "Constipation after childbirth: causes, diagnosis, treatment"

It often persists even after the cracks have healed and is extremely difficult to correct. We definitely need to go to the gastro, we also had constipation, until we went - except for laxatives, no duphalacs helped. Constipation after childbirth: causes, diagnosis, treatment.

Discussion

Adjust Duphalac and the child's menu.
so that he eats vegetables and a couple of fruits, juices and pulp.
Try giving fruit or juice with pulp in the morning on an empty stomach, that’s also good.
we need to normalize the stool, after constipation we had such problems....
take it to a discbak, go to a gastro station if it doesn’t work with diet

But our problem is the opposite. diarrhea, I apologize. Once the guards are finished, it doesn’t stop... Mlyn. I don’t know what to do, at least come back again..

constipation during breastfeeding in mother. Our problems:(. Breastfeeding. Tell the mother what you can do during breastfeeding to help improve stool. The child is over a year old, but breastfeeding is quite frequent. If the child is breastfed, you need to pay attention to the stool of the nursing mother.

Discussion

A glass of water in the morning on an empty stomach, oatmeal with water, kefir - all this should help.

Dates help me well, just make sure there is no sugar in the ingredients, otherwise the child may react. 5-6 pieces a day - and life plays with new colors :))

Mom can eat a laxative, prunes for example. Mom has constipation during breastfeeding. They helped me a lot glycerin suppositories for constipation (I was afraid to push after a cesarean section... Whether a nursing mother can use these ointments depends on how large the surface to be lubricated is...

Mom has constipation during breastfeeding. Moms, help!!! After a cesarean section (we’re already on day 26), I can’t go to the toilet on my own!!! Nothing helps - no enemas, no dried fruits, no Vaseline oil!! And not a single pediatrician (two paid ones were already called) told me what laxative I could use...

Milk after cesarean. Problems with lactation. Breast-feeding. Guys, tell me, how does milk appear after a cesarean section? My friend should have it done for her. My aunt breastfed for the first time at almost a month, before that she was fed exclusively from a bottle...

Discussion

The appearance of milk will depend on:

mother's mood;

the child's condition;

actions of doctors;

mother's condition after cesarean section;

where the child is;

heredity.

A good scenario: the mother quickly comes to her senses after a cesarean section (not required additional treatment), the child is in the ward with the mother (ideal, even if the child is in an incubator) or at least in the same building, doctors help with lactation, there is a good breast pump. In this option, even if the baby is born very heavy (does not breathe or suck), there are no significant problems with lactation. Milk will appear as after a normal birth, on days 2-10. If the baby does not suck, you will have to pump regularly.
Worst case scenario: mother needs treatment after surgery, child in in serious condition in a clinic on the other side of the city, maternity hospital doctors (in the maternity hospital of the “all for breastfeeding” system, yeah) believe that he will not survive and stop lactation while the mother is still in unconscious, you have to maintain lactation for weeks by pumping, since the baby does not have a sucking reflex.
After this, I pumped for 9 hours a day, but I couldn’t pump more than 100 ml (per day).

So... it makes sense to discuss all options with your doctors; if possible, look for a clinic where you can be with the child permanently after a caesarean section (in Moscow this is only children's department at 7 GKB, paid - 2500 per day, but there is also free).

In any case, you need to talk BEFORE the operation that it is advisable to maintain breastfeeding, ask not to use drugs to stop lactation, regardless of the child’s condition, and stock up on a good breast pump.

Girls, thank you all for your experience! I’ve made a presentation, I’ll pass on everything.

Constipation after childbirth: causes, diagnosis, treatment. When breastfeeding, taking laxatives - Forlax and Fortrans - is not contraindicated. Mom has constipation during breastfeeding. Glycerin suppositories helped me a lot for constipation (I was afraid to push after a cesarean...

Constipation after childbirth- difficult or incomplete bowel movement, absence of the urge to defecate for more than a day.

It occurs for several reasons:

  • changes in hormonal levels;
  • weakening and stretching of muscles abdominals;
  • altered bowel position due to enlargement of the uterus in the postpartum period;
  • incorrect or defective nursing mother;
  • disturbance of intestinal motility(peristalsis), due to which food masses move;
  • congenital intestinal features(for example, its elongated sections);
  • psychological barrier– many women are afraid to strain the anal sphincter muscles, thinking that because of this they may separate into the vagina;
  • psychological stress due to constant care for the child, postpartum stress, awareness of a new status, which does not allow you to concentrate on the process and relax.

Types

Exists spastic and atonic constipation.

First type is different increased flatulence, paroxysmal abdominal pain on the left side, lack of appetite, fatigue, nervousness,.

Feces may be in the form of “sheep feces”: the stool is very dense and comes out in small round portions.

It occurs when increased intestinal tone and unproductive peristalsis due to the “squeezed” state of the intestine. The urge to defecate appears several times a day, but bowel movements are difficult, incomplete and in small portions.

More often reasons for this unpleasant condition psychological problems become.

For the second – atonic- the appearance of unpleasant sensations of aching and pulling nature in the stomach is typical, great content gases in the intestines, a feeling of fullness, nausea, lack of appetite, lethargy, apathy, depressed mood.

Feces in this case, they have a densely formed initial portion of large diameter, and the final portion is liquid. Defecation is painful and can lead to tears in the lining of the anus and rectum, as evidenced by streaks of mucus and blood visible on the surface of the stool.

This happens for a reason decreased tone of the intestinal muscle wall and unproductive, sluggish peristalsis.

This type of constipation is common in patients, which was held . This type of intestinal reaction to abdominal surgery is considered normal. Atonic constipation in some cases can occur due to significant errors in the diet.

It’s worth mentioning separately about constipation, which is associated with lengthening of the large intestine.

By external signs it is identical to the spastic form, but such constipation is not associated with contraction of the intestines, but with the fact that the feces travel a longer distance.

At the same time, it is reabsorbed from the intestinal contents by the body. a large number of liquid, which is why stool becomes so hard. Its treatment is identical to the treatment of atonic constipation.

Treatment

To cope with the problem of postpartum constipation, you need to follow special diet.

But at the same time A mother breastfeeding her newborn baby must take into account that the baby may experience a certain product from her diet.

When treating constipation are useful vegetable oils, black bread, muesli, oatmeal, porridge from various cereals: buckwheat, pearl barley, millet.

As a drink Preference should be given to dried fruit compotes and fermented milk products. You can make a decoction from.

For this pour a tablespoon of berries into 250 ml of water and boil for 10 minutes, then strain. Add a slice or dry apple to the finished tea. Accept 4 times a day 1/4 cup.

If you drink every morning after waking up cup boiled water on an empty stomach, then in this way you will stimulate the intestines well and cope well with the atonic form of constipation.

What is it worth refuse for constipation:

  • white bread;
  • wheat bran;
  • semolina porridge;
  • strong tea;

Essentially slows down peristalsis intestines are hard, so its presence in the menu should be kept to a minimum.

Also have a bad effect on peristalsis slimy soups, polished, and currants.

For spastic constipation, juice diluted with water helps a lot. It should be taken half a glass three times a day before meals.

Phytotherapy

To solve the problem of postpartum constipation, herbal medicine offers the following recipes.

At spastic forms:

  1. Make a decoction of berries in or water. You will need 2 tbsp. l. raw materials per glass of boiling water. Let the broth cool to room temperature and take one tablespoon 2-4 times a day.
  2. Freshly prepared potato juice will help. Dilute it with water in a ratio of 1 to 1, take a quarter glass half an hour before meals 2-3 times a day.
  3. Prepare a mixture of dioecious herb, anise fruits, medicinal rhizomes, wild and pepper strawberry leaves, and medicinal flowers. Brew one tablespoon of the mixture with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for an hour and a half in a closed container. Then strain. Take half a glass after breakfast and dinner.

At atonic forms:

  1. Mix ripened fruits, anise and in equal proportions. Pour two teaspoons of the mixture into a glass of boiling water, let stand for 15-20 minutes, strain, drink a third of a glass 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
  2. In equal parts, take the herb, the fruits of rowan ash, the leaves of blue, the herb of stinging nettle and the fruits of fennel. Brew a tablespoon of the collection with 1 glass of boiling water, leave in a thermos for 1.5 hours, strain, take a third of a glass 3 times a day after meals.

For the prevention and treatment of constipation that occurs as a result of childbirth and chronic postpartum constipation, after each act of defecation, irrigate the anus with a cool shower.

Relieve irritation You can use microenemas with flaxseed infusion. Pour a glass of boiling water over a tablespoon of raw material and leave for three hours. Draw 50 ml of slightly warmed infusion into a syringe. Repeat the procedure several times a day if necessary.

For irrigation You can also use an infusion of oak bark, horsetail herb, horse seeds or valerian officinalis root, chamomile flowers; and also an infusion of oak leaves and bark.

The preparation of both infusions is the same: Brew a tablespoon of the mixture with a glass of boiling water, heat it in a water bath for 15 minutes and leave for 40 minutes.

The broth is brought to room temperature and filtered. Baths, compresses or irrigations with such infusions can be done a couple of times a day.

In order to carry out similar procedure, pour the infusion mixture into the syringe and, without inserting it into the rectum, irrigate the perineal area.

Candles and other products

Self-treating postpartum constipation medicines it is forbidden. That's why be sure to consult a doctor with your problem.

If you are breastfeeding, then taking laxatives such as Fortrans and Forlax is suitable for you. In your case you cannot take Regulax, Gutalax, Dulcolax (Bisacodyl), Doctor Theiss, Chitosan-Evalar.

For spastic forms of constipation drugs are prohibited based on sena or alexandria leafSennalax, Trisasen, Glaxenna, which increase the tone of the muscle wall of the intestine.

When taking such drugs, monitor your baby's condition, since the substances in the medicine can cause intestinal pain in him.

Remedies for the treatment of constipation based on horse chestnut (herbal preparations, dietary supplements, creams) can significantly reduce the amount of breast milk or stop lactation altogether.

remember, that frequent and prolonged(several times a day for 1-2 months) use of any laxatives(herbal, medicinal) may be addictive, which will entail the need to increase the dose of the laxative. But at the same time, the effect of treatment weakens, and the problem of constipation only gets worse.

The problem of postpartum constipation Although unpleasant, it is completely solvable. If you follow all the doctor’s recommendations and listen to the advice described above, you will soon be able to successfully cope with it.

Yesterday we started talking about such a delicate topic as constipation in women after childbirth. This is a serious problem, but very delicate, and women are often embarrassed to see a doctor about it, preferring to look for effective means independently, consulting with friends or on forums on the Internet. This is the wrong approach to solving the problem, since constipation can be different in nature, and treatment will depend on what is the underlying cause of constipation - if it is a nutritional problem - there is one solution, if it is a disease - another.

Features of postpartum constipation in women

In the first weeks after any birth, young mothers usually experience dyskinetic constipation in various forms. If a woman who has recently given birth experiences atonic constipation, the cause of this is decreased tone in the muscle wall of the intestine. As a result, there is a gradual slowdown in intestinal motor activity, its movements become sluggish. The intestines react with similar changes to surgical intervention in the abdominal area - this is a kind of defensive reaction body, aimed at accelerating reparative (restorative) processes. In addition, some of the dietary errors can also provoke the development of atonic constipation in women who have given birth. After childbirth, spastic constipation may also occur as a result sharp increase tone of the intestinal walls. The consequence of this is a strong convulsive compression of the intestinal walls, which leads to intestinal activity that is unproductive in terms of stool. These types of constipation in young women usually occur as a result of a psychological component - fear of defecation, pain and suture dehiscence.

Typical symptoms of atonic constipation are abdominal pain, which is nagging and mild in nature. In addition to this, there is also a constant feeling of fullness of the intestines with a high level of gas formation. At the same time, young mothers complain of loss of appetite and periodic attacks of nausea, and there is also a feeling of apathy and severe lethargy and weakness. During the process of defecation, a copious amount of feces is usually released, initially they are dense, hard, with a feeling of sharp pain in the stool. If, as a result of the process of defecation, cracks also appear in the anus, then the feces may also have streaks of scarlet blood and mucus.

The manifestations of spastic constipation have a slightly different character - paroxysmal pain appears, and in this case the pain most often occurs in the right side of the abdomen. In this case, the woman experiences attacks of flatulence or its constant presence, loss of appetite and periodic attacks of nausea. The young mother becomes very irritable, nervous, the urge to defecate occurs several times a day, but with all this there is no feeling of complete bowel movement, feces come out in small pieces, dense and dehydrated. Women who have recently become mothers may also experience constipation due to the lengthening of the large intestine. Such constipation is a consequence of too long passage (passage of stool) through too long intestines. In this case, the food masses become severely dehydrated, become very hard, and the symptoms become similar to those of spastic constipation.

What to do to avoid constipation after childbirth?

So that postpartum constipation does not bother a young mother, or in order to get rid of existing problems, it is necessary, first of all, to review your usual menu and develop proper diet taking into account breastfeeding. If there is constipation, it is useful for young mothers to include porridge in their diet - barley, buckwheat or millet, muesli, black bread and all vegetable oils. Be sure to eat a sufficient amount of raw vegetables and fruits during the day; immediately after giving birth, carrots or beets, pumpkin or zucchini, dried fruit compotes, gooseberry compote (a tablespoon of berries in a glass of water, steam and leave for at least 10 minutes) will be useful. It is worth excluding foods such as strong black tea, slimy soups, rice or semolina porridge, pears, blueberries, walnuts and beans, fresh white bread, as these products have a strengthening effect. Hard cheeses also greatly slow down intestinal motility.

In order to normalize intestinal functions, you should drink enough fluids throughout the day. It could be ordinary drinking water, compotes, weak unsweetened tea (preferably green), and after waking up you should drink a full glass of very cold water on an empty stomach. This method helps to actively stimulate the intestines. In addition, the recommendation to drink one glass at night before bed will also be useful. warm water with lemon juice dissolved in it.

How to treat constipation immediately after childbirth?

If after childbirth a woman is seriously bothered by constipation, she can take laxatives, but such a case It is worth remembering that frequent or long-term use taking medications several times a week for a month or more can create intestinal habituation syndrome, and if the drugs are discontinued, the situation will only get worse. As a result of this, an increase in the dose of laxatives will be required over time, since the effects of their use will gradually decrease, and the manifestations of constipation themselves will gradually become more and more pronounced. Moreover, this is true for both medications, and for herbal remedy loosening of the intestines.

It is also worth remembering that if a woman is breastfeeding, many of the traditional laxatives may be contraindicated for her. And in order not to harm yourself and your child, before using any of the laxative drugs, you should consult your doctor. Usually, during breastfeeding, the drugs “Fortrans” or “Forlax” are used; lactulose-based drugs are often used - “Portolak”, “Duphalak” or “Normaze”. Sometimes glycerin suppositories or suppositories with sea ​​buckthorn oil, especially if a woman also has hemorrhoids along with constipation. If a woman has a spastic form of constipation after childbirth, senna-based medications are strictly prohibited for her. These drugs dramatically activate muscle tone the intestinal wall, which is contraindicated for the spastic component of constipation and will only worsen the situation. And such drugs during breastfeeding can provoke the development of cramps and abdominal pain in the child.

Herbs and herbal preparations for constipation

You can eliminate constipation after the birth of your baby with the help of herbal medicine, the use of herbal decoctions and folk recipes that can help cope with such sensitive issues. For spastic constipation, half an hour before meals you should drink 1/4 cup potato juice, diluted with water, and the juice should be freshly squeezed. You can also use other recipes - boil chopped figs in a glass of water or milk, take this decoction warm, a tablespoon several times a day. You can prepare a decoction of anise, valerian root, nettle, chamomile mint and strawberries; pour a tablespoon of the mixture with boiling water into a thermos and leave for an hour and a half. Then filter, take half a glass twice a day after meals.

For atonic constipation, a different type of recipe is used - an infusion of fennel, caraway and anise helps, they are mixed in equal parts, poured with boiling water and filtered after twenty minutes. Take 1/3 cup half an hour before meals three times a day. You can use a decoction of the fruits of rowan, oregano and fennel; it is prepared in the same way as the first and is also taken before meals in the same volume. For long-term constipation, flax seeds can be used for therapy; a cup of seeds is boiled in a glass of water and left for a couple of hours. The decoction is drunk at night.

Physical activity against constipation

Constipation occurs as a result of decreased physical activity after childbirth and decreased tone of the anterior abdominal wall. Therefore, exercise is an excellent and safe way to help women who have recently given birth, both with constipation and speedy recovery. With proper exercises, you can stimulate uterine contraction and intestinal tone, as well as prevent the development of a hernia of the white line of the abdomen, and increase muscle tone. Plus, physical activity- an excellent reason to eliminate excess weight accumulated during pregnancy. Exercises can be done for 10 minutes several times a day, and this will already actively help.

You need to start from the first days breathing exercises V supine position, as well as carry out feasible exercises with your legs and arms. It is important to breathe deeply and with the abdomen drawn in. In the morning after waking up for women after natural birth You can pinch and rub the skin near the navel, moving towards the groin area. I do the massage with my legs slightly bent. You can stroke your belly clockwise, lightly pressing on your belly, also try not to feed your baby constantly in the same position, change positions, move and tense your abs.

Constipation - This is a consequence of a disturbance in the process of formation and subsequent movement through the intestines of feces. With the development of constipation, digestive waste stagnates in the intestines or rectum. It is customary to distinguish several types of constipation according to etiopathogenetic characteristics. Nutritional Constipation occurs when a person violates the dietary regime, has an inadequate diet, or consumes too little fluid. At dyskinetic constipation, the motility of the colon is impaired, and such constipation can be hypotonic , hypertensive , spastic . If the patient has organic constipation, it is caused by various defects and tumors spinal cord, as well as the presence of scars and other formations in the anus and anorectal area.

Conditioned reflex constipation occurs when the urge to defecate is constantly suppressed, stressful situations, as well as in the presence of neuropsychogenic causes. This type of constipation sometimes develops in patients with rectal fissures And . Constipation intoxication type manifest themselves in cases of intoxication with poisons or medications.

From point of view clinical picture There are three stages of constipation. At compensated stage, the act of defecation occurs after 2-3 days, and at the same time the patient feels that the intestines have not completely emptied. About half of patients suffer from abdominal pain. At subcompensated stage, stool is retained for a period of 3 to 5 days. In this case, defecation occurs only after taking laxatives or an enema. In most cases, flatulence occurs, abdominal pain bothers you, and a person feels pain when defecating.

For decompensated The stage of constipation is characterized by the absence of stool for 10 or more days. The act of defecation occurs only after hypertonic or siphon enemas. The patient develops signs of fecal intoxication, and during palpation, “fecal stones” are found in the abdomen.

Causes of constipation in the postpartum period

There are several reasons that determine the manifestation of constipation after childbirth. First of all, changes in bowel function can be greatly influenced by sharp drop hormonal levels that occur after childbirth. When a baby is born, a woman’s abdominal muscles and perineal muscles are stretched and greatly weakened.

In the first days after birth, the uterus, which is still quite enlarged, continues to put pressure on the intestines. TO normal size the uterus will return only after 6-8 weeks. At the same time, the intestines are also “in motion”: they gradually shift to their normal position after they have moved during the process of bearing a child. IN postpartum period In women, intestinal motility is very often disrupted, and feces move more slowly.

Women who have had a difficult birth or cesarean section have newly placed stitches on their bodies. Because of their pain, as well as the fear that the stitches will come apart after surgery or episiotomy, the young mother cannot strain enough to get a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids can be considered an equally problematic phenomenon; the pain that occurs with them often becomes an obstacle to the establishment of normal bowel movements after childbirth.

Constipation after childbirth often occurs as a consequence of an incorrect approach to nutrition for a nursing mother. No less important factor One should also consider constant psychological stress, which is associated with new troubles and worries. In addition, congenital intestinal abnormalities can be the cause of postpartum constipation.

Features of constipation after childbirth

In women in postpartum weeks dyskinetic constipation develops predominantly different types. If a mother who has just given birth to a baby is worried about atonic constipation , then in this case there is a decrease in the tone of the muscle wall of the intestine. Eventually physical activity the intestines gradually slow down and become sluggish. Basically, atonic constipation after childbirth is typical for women who gave birth to a baby through cesarean section. After all, this is how the intestines react to almost any surgery produced in the abdominal cavity. Some dietary errors also provoke atonic constipation in women who have just given birth.

Spasmodic constipation after childbirth occur when intestinal tone increases. As a result, the intestine becomes clamped and bowel activity becomes unproductive. This type of constipation in young mothers mainly occurs as a consequence of psychological factors.

The characteristic symptoms of atonic constipation are abdominal pain, which is nagging in nature. There is also a constant feeling of fullness in the intestines, high level gas formation. A young mother may complain of loss of appetite, periodic nausea, a feeling of lethargy, etc. During defecation, copious, initially dense and hard feces are released, and pain is felt. If cracks occur in the process, the stool may come out with bloody streaks or mucus.

Symptoms of spastic constipation appear paroxysmal painful sensations, and the pain most often occurs on the left. The patient is bothered by constant manifestations of flatulence, she has no appetite, and is periodically bothered by nausea. The woman becomes irritable. The urge to defecate occurs more than once a day, but the intestines are not completely emptied.

Constipation, which occurs as a consequence of lengthening of the large intestine, also occurs in women who have recently given birth. Such constipation is a consequence of too long passage of feces through the elongated intestines. The stool is very hard, and the symptoms are similar to those of spastic constipation.

How to avoid constipation during the postpartum period

To avoid postpartum constipation, as well as to get rid of existing problems, you must first of all develop correct menu. At the same time, taking into account what products can be consumed during the baby's process. For constipation, it is useful for a nursing mother to include buckwheat, millet and pearl barley porridge, muesli, vegetable oils, black bread. It is very important to eat enough vegetables every day. Immediately after giving birth, it is useful for a woman to eat beets and carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, and drink dried fruit compote.

A light compote made from gooseberries is also useful for constipation. To prepare it, you need to take one tablespoon of berries and one glass of water. After this, the decoction is prepared for 10 minutes. At the same time, you should not include strong tea, soups with a slimy consistency, semolina and rice porridge, blueberries, pears, legumes, walnuts, and white bread in the menu, as these products have a binding effect. Hard types of cheese can also significantly slow down intestinal activity.

To normalize intestinal functions, you should drink enough fluid: this can be like plain water, as well as compote or weak tea. After waking up in the morning, you need to drink a glass of cold water on an empty stomach: this method effectively helps stimulate intestinal function. Another recommendation is to drink a glass of warm water with the juice of a third of a lemon dissolved before bed.

Treatment of constipation after childbirth

If a woman is very bothered by constipation after childbirth, she can take laxatives. However, in this case, you should remember that prolonged and too frequent use Such drugs (treatment with laxatives for one to two months, several times a week) can lead to the development of addiction. As a result, over time, it may be necessary to increase the dose of the laxative, as the effect of treatment gradually decreases, and the symptoms of constipation become more pronounced. In this case we're talking about both about medications and herbal decoctions.

During breastfeeding, some laxatives are contraindicated for women. Therefore, before starting treatment, a mandatory consultation with a doctor is required. As a rule, drugs and are prescribed during lactation. Lactulose preparations are often used in such cases - , Portalak . Sometimes prescribed as well candles with sea buckthorn in the event that a woman also suffers from hemorrhoids.

If a woman has developed a spastic form of constipation, she should not take products that are based on senna. Such drugs activate the tone of the muscle wall of the intestine, which is unacceptable for spastic constipation. In addition, such medications can cause intestinal pain in a child.

Constipation after childbirth can be treated with different decoctions herbs, as well as other folk recipes that help effectively cope with the problem. If a woman is diagnosed with a spastic form of constipation, then about half an hour before eating it is recommended to drink a quarter glass of potato juice, half diluted with water. It is important that the juice is fresh. The following recipe is also suitable for a young mother: boil two tablespoons of chopped figs in one glass of milk or water. Take one tablespoon of this warm decoction several times a day.

To treat spastic constipation, you can prepare herbal decoction. To do this, mix equal parts of anise fruit, valerian root, stinging nettle herb, peppermint and wild strawberry leaves, and chamomile flowers. One tablespoon of this mixture is poured into a thermos and poured boiling water. After infusion for an hour and a half, the mixture is filtered and taken twice a day after meals, half a glass.

Other recipes are used to treat the atonic form of constipation. Effective impact provides an infusion of cumin, fennel and anise fruits. Mix the raw materials in equal parts, pour boiling water over them and strain after twenty minutes. You need to take the infusion one third of a glass three times a day, about 30 minutes before meals. It is important that the plant seeds are fully ripe.

To prepare another infusion, which is used to treat constipation after childbirth, you need to take equal parts of the fruits of mountain ash, oregano herb and stinging nettle, blackberry leaves and fennel fruits. One tablespoon of this mixture is poured into one glass of boiling water and left for about an hour and a half in a thermos. A young mother should drink the infusion three times a day after eating, a third of a glass.

If constipation does not go away for a long time, you can use flax decoction for treatment. Boil one cup of seeds in one glass of water and leave for several hours. The decoction is drunk before bedtime.

Exercise against constipation

An excellent method for relieving postpartum constipation is some exercise. In addition, this method is the safest for a nursing mother. With the help of a properly selected set of physical exercises, you can not only stimulate more intense contractions of the uterus, but also avoid the risk of developing a midline abdominal hernia, and also improve the tone of the abdominal muscles. Plus, physical activity is a great way to lose weight. overweight, which accumulated during the period of bearing a child. In this case, it is enough to perform simple exercises for only 10 minutes, repeating them, if possible, 2-3 times a day.

Already in the first days after the birth of a child, a woman can perform breathing exercises in a supine position. It is important to breathe as deeply as possible, drawing in your stomach as you exhale. After a few days, other exercises can be gradually introduced into the complex. In a lying position, a woman presses her knees tightly together. At the same time, as you inhale, the pelvic floor muscles become very tense, and as you exhale, they relax. When performing another exercise in a lying position, while inhaling, you need to raise your left arm and right leg up, and while exhaling, lower it. Then the exercise is repeated with the other leg and arm. Each of the described exercises must be repeated at least five times.

In a standing position, place your feet shoulder-width apart and extend your arms forward. The legs do not leave the floor, while right hand retracted as far back as possible. These movements are performed while inhaling, returning to the starting position while exhaling. The exercise is repeated alternately in both directions. A similar exercise is turning your torso to the sides with your hands clasped in front of you. Retracting the abdomen and perineum while inhaling in a position on all fours is also effective. In this case, you need to hold your breath for a few seconds and then relax.

About two weeks after birth, this complex is supplemented with several more exercises. In a standing position, raise your hands to your shoulders, while placing your elbows forward. From this position, the woman raises her right leg, bent at the knee, and tries to touch her left elbow with her knee. The exercise is repeated several times in both directions. Later, this exercise can be a little more complicated: the legs are slightly apart, and the muscles of the perineum are tensed while raising the knees.

Such simple exercises can be performed by all young mothers who have not had a caesarean section and have not suffered deep tears during the birth of the child.

For those who suffer from atonic constipation, after waking up in the morning, you can rub the skin near the navel, as well as on the left side of it. Movements should go towards the groin area. This massage should be done for five minutes, with your legs slightly bent. If spastic constipation occurs, then gentle movements should be made, stroking the stomach clockwise. When moving, you can press a little on your stomach.

A young mother should ensure that long time Do not feed the baby in the same position. Therefore, the position needs to be constantly changed.

Although constipation after childbirth is quite an unpleasant phenomenon, but when the right approach With treatment and some lifestyle adjustments, you can get rid of them quite quickly.

The appearance of constipation after childbirth should not cause panic, but the situation should not be left to chance. Untimely intervention in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to intoxication of the body or the appearance of hemorrhoids.

What causes flatulence after childbirth?

How many unpleasant changes in the functioning of her body can a woman who has given birth experience - weight gain, constipation, flatulence! Advanced education gases cause great discomfort and prevent you from fully enjoying the delights of motherhood.

Quite often, flatulence manifests itself precisely after a cesarean section on the first day after childbirth: during the operation, the woman was injected special drugs who blocked the work digestive system. Taking medications to get your bowels moving again after surgery can lead to bloating.

Nutrition for a young mother - main reason why gases appear. The diet should not contain legumes, cabbage, or baked goods.

It is important to drink enough water, especially during lactation. You can drink dill water, it is also recommended to give it to babies with colic. To keep your bowels working, it is also important to active image life, sleep at least 7 hours and worry less.

Causes of constipation after childbirth while breastfeeding

Constipation is a common phenomenon that accompanies both pregnant women and new mothers. He delivers discomfort and a feeling of heaviness, which leads to a deterioration in well-being. Hard “sheep” feces may appear - bowel movements in the form of small, tight feces.

Constipation – the absence of bowel movements lasts more than 2 days or bowel movements are extremely difficult.

There are types of constipation: atonic (physical) and spastic (psychological). Atonic constipation is the cause surgical intervention, poor nutrition and appears due to weakening of the intestinal muscles. Spastic constipation occurs due to psychological reasons: stress, lack of sleep, nervous tension, a change of scenery.

Postpartum constipation can be caused by the following reasons:

  • Changed hormonal background women;
  • After childbirth, the uterus has not decreased to its previous size and continues to put pressure on the intestines;
  • Due to the enlarged uterus, the intestines have shifted, and after childbirth they gradually return to their place;
  • Appears when pushing during defecation or fear of damaging the sutures (on the abdomen after cesarean or abortion);
  • Decreased physical activity;
  • Stress, nervous tension, poor sleep;
  • Lack of vegetables and fruits in the diet;
  • Insufficient consumption of plain water.

You can combat the problem of difficult bowel movements with the help of laxatives, but first of all, you should identify the main cause and try to eliminate it using traditional methods.

How to get rid of constipation after cesarean section

Surgical intervention in the form of a cesarean section often causes problematic bowel movements. Atonic constipation after surgery is accompanied by abdominal pain, frequent bloating intestines, nausea and belching. The young mother has no appetite, sleep is disturbed and her health worsens.

Severe constipation can lead to rupture of the mucous membranes in the anus and cracks in the rectum, which can cause blood to appear in the stool. Black stool may indicate bleeding in the esophagus.

If a young mother has not had a bowel movement for 3 days, she may need a first health care. Regular glycerin suppositories, which are allowed for a nursing mother, help to stimulate emptying.

Some believe that restore normal stool more effective with home treatments. However, you should approach this issue carefully so as not to get the diametrically opposite result - diarrhea.

Atonic constipation is considered a more serious problem than spastic constipation, so the use of any home remedies is allowed only after consultation with a doctor.

What to do for constipation after childbirth: home treatments

If you have spastic constipation, you should not take medications that contain senna. This medicinal plant can cause severe colic, entering the baby's intestines along with mother's milk.

Also, during lactation, it is prohibited to treat constipation with certain laxative medications, for example, Regulax, Dulcolax and Dr. Theiss.

A nursing mother should not adhere to a strict diet: her diet must include fruits and vegetables, and dairy products. But eating white bread, buns, semolina and rice porridge, nuts should be limited, as these products lead to stool sticking together, which can subsequently cause constipation and hemorrhoids.

For spastic constipation:

  • Dilute freshly squeezed potato juice with boiled chilled water in equal proportions. Drink 50 ml 25-30 minutes before the main meal.
  • Make a collection - anise fruits, dried leaves of nettle, mint, wild strawberry, valerian root and flowers medicinal chamomile. Pour 2 large spoons of the mixture into 500 ml of boiling water and let it brew. Drink 100 ml after breakfast and dinner.

It's important to support drinking regime– drink purified water, decoctions of dried fruits and fresh berries, exclude soda.

For atonic constipation:

  • Mix cumin, anise and fennel seeds equally. For 200-230 ml of boiling water, 10 g of mixture (2 tsp). Let it brew for 15-20 minutes, pass through a sieve or gauze and drink 50 ml half an hour before the main meal three times a day.
  • Drink water with honey on an empty stomach. If you are breastfeeding, honey may cause allergic reaction in the baby, so you need to consult a pediatrician.

Some home treatments are acceptable for treating constipation during pregnancy, but it is worth considering that consuming decoctions of some herbs can cause miscarriage.

What to do if there is no urge to defecate: first aid

At proper operation digestive system, a person must empty his intestines at least once a day. Bowel problems can lead to constipation. With severe atonic constipation, there may be a lack of urge to defecate. The main cause of difficulty in emptying is poor nutrition. It is important that your diet includes vegetables, fruits, and cereals.

Rice is not indicated for constipation; it acts as a fixative. Most often it is used when intestinal upset begins.

When feces accumulate in the intestines, flatulence, soreness, weakness and lack of appetite are observed. At common problems you need to contact a gastroenterologist who can determine the cause of the disease. After examination and tests, the doctor will prescribe a laxative that will help cope with constipation and improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Local agents:

  • An enema is an emergency procedure that allows you to quickly get rid of feces;
  • Glycerin suppositories;
  • Bisacodyl - should not be used during pregnancy, it is fraught with negative consequences;
  • Microlax – has positive reviews. Micro-enema with liquid when inserted into anus irritates the intestines and softens accumulated stool.

If you have stool retention, you can also use oral agents. Fitolax, from the manufacturer Evalar, has a gentle effect on the intestines and helps it empty. As a rule, in order to normalize intestinal function and prevent constipation, you need to undergo a course of treatment with Fitolax.

What to do if you have severe constipation: how to give an enema

Severe constipation can lead to hemorrhoids, so it should not be taken to extremes. If the problem is very acute, and it is not possible to go to the pharmacy for laxatives, you can give an enema. It is advisable to put it on immediately after waking up. At this time, the body begins its work. You can wash your intestines plain water or water with table salt.

The liquid should be at room temperature; cold water can cause spasms in the colon, which will only increase the pain.

The enema should be done while lying on your left side. You can use a syringe bulb, which is designed for 200 ml (for an adult) or a large enema (Esmarch mug).

How to give an enema with a syringe:

  1. Place a container of water nearby. Lie on your left side in a fetal position.
  2. Fill the syringe with liquid, expelling all the air from it. Lubricate the tip with oil or Vaseline to avoid scratching the anus.
  3. Insert the tip of the bulb into the butt and press on it.

After administering the enema, it is advisable to lie down for a while and then walk around so that the water spreads throughout the intestines. If everything is done correctly, the result will not keep you waiting and a feeling of relief will come.

Causes and treatment of constipation after childbirth (video)

You should not self-medicate! If constipation occurs systematically, you should go to the hospital. Reception of any medicines It is worth discussing with your doctor, as well as treatment at home.