Constipation after childbirth: causes and treatment. How to treat constipation after giving birth to a nursing mother

Constipation is a difficult, incomplete or absent bowel movement for several days. Very often, problems with defecation affect young mothers who have recently suffered childbirth. At the same time, they can not only not go to the toilet for a long time, but also experience discomfort and a feeling of fullness of the intestine, which interferes with normal functioning. How to treat constipation after giving birth to a nursing mother? An extensive answer to the question is presented in this material.

Causes of

Before proceeding with the treatment of constipation, it is necessary to establish the cause that is behind it. In most cases, problems with the intestines are caused by various complications or because the body simply can not adapt to your daily lifestyle. As medical experts note, constipation after childbirth can be caused by both physiological and psychological factors. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Physiological factors

They imply that there are problems in the GI tract.

The main among them are:

• hormonal imbalance;
• administration of antibiotics that harmed the intestinal microflora;
• weakening of muscle tissue in the abdominal and inguinal region;
• an increase in the uterus in size, as a result of which it creates pressure on the intestines;
• intestinal displacement;
• disturbance of peristalsis;
• presence of pathological diseases.

In addition to all of the above, constipation after childbirth during breastfeeding can be triggered by improper diet and intake of insufficient amounts of water.

Psychological factors

In addition to disturbances in the normal functioning of internal organs and systems, constipation can also occur as a result of psychological factors.

The most common among them are the following:

• consciously suppressing urge to excrement if the woman intelligently ignores the natural needs of her own body, as a result of which the gastrointestinal tract ceases to give appropriate signals to evacuation;
• fear of pain or discrepancy of superimposed sutures;
• is a stressful condition that can occur due to overvoltages in caring for the baby;
• overwork.

Statistics show that constipation after childbirth is a very frequent occurrence, the causes of which are approximately 80 percent of cases due to the lack of adequate nutrition. Because of the extreme fatigue and lack of time, many young mothers are switching to dryness, which provokes obstruction.

According to medical professionals, it is very important to first establish the cause of the problem before treatment, since therapy depends on the nature of the factors that caused a disruption in the functioning of the intestine.

Classification of

If you are suffering from constipation after birth, you need to try to establish their character. Understanding the essence of the problem it will be much easier to choose the right treatment and quickly get rid of the ailment.

Constipation is divided into two types:

• spastic;
• is atonic.

Constipation of the first kind is accompanied by atony of the intestine and difficulty in emptying it, and the relief of the need is poor and in small portions. The main factors that result in constipation in women are psychological. As for clinical manifestations, the representative of the weaker sex can feel severe pain in the abdomen, nausea, bloating, toxicosis, increased irritability and fatigue. Such constipation after childbirth can be easily cured by adjusting the daily routine. It is necessary as much as possible to have a rest and a good sleep, and also to make a healthy menu, which should include only the allowed products.

The main symptoms of atonic constipation are soreness in bowel movements, discomfort and periodical spasms in the lower abdomen, as well as a lack of appetite. This type of constipation can be triggered by various medications, malnutrition or caesarean section. If you do not take any measures, your mother may have tears of the mucous membrane of the anus and rectum.

If there is atonic constipation after childbirth, what should I do in this case? Do not try to get rid of the disease on your own, because at home it's impossible. Therefore, as soon as possible, go to the hospital.

Clinical manifestations of constipation

To avoid many problems, one must have an idea of ​​how constipation manifests in women after childbirth. Knowing the symptoms is very important, since most women go to the hospital with either mild trifles, or when it's too late.

So, you need to go to the doctor if you:

• defecation is bad or absent for two or more days;
• pain in the abdominal region;
• nausea;
• admixtures of blood in the feces;
• constant belching;
• increased temper;
• lack of appetite;
• hypersomnia;
• sensation of fullness of the intestine.

The presence of a combination of some of the above symptoms suggests that the woman has constipation after childbirth. What to do in this case, and what steps to take to correct the problem? Let's consider further.

The basic methods of therapy

When you go to the hospital, the doctor will prescribe all the necessary tests, the results of which will help him to establish the cause and type of obstipation. In this case, treatment can be carried out both with the help of medications, and through folk methods. Regardless of which therapy will be prescribed, you should be very careful, especially for the period of lactation, because negligent treatment of your health can harm a baby.

Medication

Treatment with medications should be performed exclusively under the supervision of a physician. In most cases, the doctor picks up a mild laxative and candles, and also prescribes enemas.

As far as medications are concerned, such tools as Fortrans, Forlax, Dufalac and lactulose syrup are very effective. It is worth noting that most of the laxatives available on sale are not recommended for breastfeeding babies.

Candles that have a laxative effect are prescribed as an adjuvant. They can not act as the main agent in the treatment of constipation, since they have only a temporary effect. If women had no bowel movement for three or more days, and a mild laxative does not help, doctors prescribe glycerin suppositories.

Enema is most effective in the treatment of any type of constipation. They contribute to dilution of stool and normalize the functioning of the intestine. To prepare such an enema, a tablespoon of flaxseed will be needed, which is poured into 200 ml of boiling water and insisted for three hours. The procedure for enemas is performed 4 times a day using 50 milliliters of decoction.

Traditional medicine

When answering a question about what helps with constipation after childbirth, one should not ignore folk methods of treatment. According to many experts, non-traditional medicine is more useful and effective in combating constipation, because it is based on the use of medicinal plants that differ in their naturalness.

With spastic constipation the following remedies help:

1. Decoction of figs. Two tablespoons figs pour a glass of boiling water. After cooling, the solution is taken at 1 tbsp.l.2-3 times a day.
2. Potato juice. Root crops are passed through a meat grinder, after which the juice is separated from the pulp with the help of gauze and diluted with water in equal proportions. The drug is taken in the morning, at lunch and in the evening half an hour before a meal of 50 milliliters.
3. Medicinal decoction. For cooking, you need nettle, anise fruit, mint, wild strawberry leaves, chamomile flowers and valerian. All components are dried, crushed and mixed. One tablespoon of boiling water requires a tablespoon of herbal tea. The drug is infused for about an hour and a half, filtered through a sieve and taken at 50 milliliters twice a day.

If you have atonic constipation after giving birth while breastfeeding, then a herbal collection consisting of oregano, rowan berries, fennel fruits, and nettle leaves and blackberries will be a good remedy. All components are mixed in the same proportions. To prepare a medicinal broth, a tablespoon of herbs should be steeped in one glass of boiling water, then strain. Drink in the morning, at lunch and in the evening for half a glass after eating.

A few words about proper nutrition

Constipation after delivery, regardless of their type, is primarily a problem with the functioning of the digestive system, so patients should pay much attention to their nutrition.

For food use the following products are allowed:

• kefir;
• sunflower oil;
• muesli;
• boiled beet;
• bran;
• coarse bread;
• oatmeal;
• steamed vegetables.

But from the following products it is recommended to refuse:

• wheat bread;
• walnuts;
• solid cheeses;
• blueberry;
• pear;
• peas;
• beans;
• rice;
• wild strawberry;
• strong tea;
• mango;
• pear;
• currant.

Also, if you are suffering from constipation after childbirth, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids daily. It can be like ordinary water, and various compotes, sour-milk products, mint broth and chamomile tea.

Preventative measures

If you are cured of constipation, in order that it does not return, it is recommended that you observe the following recommendations:

1. Try to take as little medication as possible.
2. Do postnatal gymnastics.
3. Stick to proper nutrition.
4. Drink plenty of fluids.
5. Do not overdo it and sleep well.
6. Try to move as much as possible.

If you follow the above preventive measures, you will never know what constipation is.

Conclusion

Nursing mothers should closely monitor their health, because any problems with it can be transmitted to the baby. Therefore, at the first suspicion of constipation, it is not recommended to engage in self-medication, but it is better to seek help from a specialist, since only an experienced doctor will be able to prescribe the correct treatment.

Do not forget to regularly monitor your health. In case of manifestation of any disease it is better to immediately consult a specialist in order to avoid negative consequences in the future.