Constipation after childbirth: causes and treatment

Constipation after childbirth catches even those women who have never experienced problems with digestion and stool in their lives. What are its causes and characteristics of treatment?

Constipation after childbirth: causes

1. Dramatic changes in the hormonal background.
2. Stretching and loosening of the perineal and abdominal muscles.
3. uterine pressure that in the early period after birth increased and continues to apply pressure on the intestines.
4. Fear of the process of straining because of the sutures, which often happens in women after a cesarean section.
5. Incorrectly chosen diet for a young mother.
6. The psychological burden associated with caring for the baby and acquiring a new family status.
7. Congenital features of the structure of the intestine, for example, its elongated sections.

Types of constipation

Atonic. Often found in mothers after cesarean sectionor because of malnutrition. It is accompanied by a feeling that the intestines are full, with pain, increased gas production, apathy and lethargy. The process of defecation is painful, with the first portion too large, and the final one - formless liquid.

Spastic. The reason for it - increased muscle tone. The main reason for this type of constipation is the psychological factor. An exacerbation has the appearance of "goat feces" (dense elements of a rounded shape).

Constipation after childbirth: we choose the right diet

To solve the problems of constipation and taking into account feedingbaby (in order to avoid the appearance of allergic reactions), mother should take seriously to her diet. Buckwheat, pearl and millet cereals, muesli, black bread (in small quantities), oat flakes, vegetable oils, fruits (except exotic ones), sweet cherry, vegetables (fresh or steamed, stewed or boiled) will be useful: beets , carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, broccoli, white cabbage and color. It is not superfluous to drink compote from dried fruits and use sour-milk products.

In case of constipation, mucous soups, strong tea, white bread, semolina, ground rice, pears, blueberries, strawberries, currants, walnuts, legumes, hard cheese should be excluded from the diet.

Constipation after childbirth: we perform physical exercises

If you gave birth in a natural way, i.e. without caesarean section, then the very next day after the birth you can start a set of special exercises that not only will not only become a good prevention of constipation, but also help you to quickly bring yourself in shape, as well as reduce the physical and psychological fatigue of the postpartum period. Exercises I borrow you no more than 10 minutes a day.

1. In the supine position, the legs are slightly bent, hands along the body take a deep breath and "inflate" the stomach. Hold your breath and exhale with your mouth, pulling your stomach as much as possible.
2. Position as in point 1, only the knees to each other are pressed. On inhaling, stretch the muscles of the pelvic floor (as if to prevent defecation), hold your breath, exhale, relax.
3. Position as in point 1, while inhaling, raise the left arm and right foot up and lower them in exhalation. Repeat with alternating legs and hands.
4. In the standing position, the arms are extended forward, legs onwidth of the shoulders, make turns to the right by torso, pulling the right arm back to the maximum. Return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise in the opposite direction. Legs should not come off the floor.
5. In a position on all fours, inhale, drawing in your stomach and crotch, hold your breath, exhale with relaxation. Exercise can be performed no earlier than 4-5 days after giving birth.

Constipation after childbirth: treatment with folk remedies

Atonic constipation

1. Drink on an empty stomach every morning cool water, preferably unboiled (mineral water without gas).
2. Take cumin, anise, fennel in equal quantitiesand mix. Two teaspoons of herbs pour boiling water (250 ml) and insist for 20 minutes. Strain and eat three times a day for 1/3 cup 30 minutes before eating.

Spastic constipation

1. Spoon a table spoon of gooseberry berries with a glass of water, boil for 10 minutes, strain and drink the broth four times a day for ¼ cup.
2. Rub the raw potatoes on a fine grater. Squeeze the juice and dilute with water in a 1: 1 ratio. Drink ¼ cup three times a day for 30 minutes before each meal.

Constipation after childbirth: drug treatment

We note at once that such laxatives asfortrans, forlaks, regulax, gutalax, dulcolax, chitosan, Dr. Theiss, can not be taken during breastfeeding. And drugs that relax the intestines based on Senna (glaxena, trisasen, sennalax, senade) can be consumed during lactation, but very carefully, as they can cause pain in the intestines of the baby. And with spastic constipation and their reception is also not recommended.