Breastfeeding, should use stool softener for mothers after birth?

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1. How does constipation after giving birth affect health?

Postpartum constipation is a common condition, patients have less than 3 bowel movements per week and are accompanied by difficulty in defecation due to hard stools and causing burning pain in the anal area. Some causes lead to postpartum constipation such as:
Hormonal changes after birth and during lactation. After giving birth, the mother's body is weaker, especially in the case of caesarean section, the time to lie down will be longer, less exercise leads to reduced bowel movements, leading to postpartum constipation. Pregnant women often add too much iron, calcium and many other minerals by oral tablet or food. These substances are the indirect cause of constipation in mothers due to difficulty in absorption. Besides, the perineal incision makes defecation more painful and difficult. Many mothers are afraid to go and hold back, which will lead to constipation after giving birth for a long time. Postpartum women often abstain from eating and drinking, so they do not have enough nutrients, green vegetables and fruits, etc. This increases the risk of constipation after childbirth. Constipation makes mothers also feel uncomfortable, especially after giving birth, the feeling becomes heavier. Postpartum constipation not only causes fatigue and bloating for pregnant women, but also increases the risk of hemorrhoids if not treated definitively. In case of stagnation of feces in the intestine for a long time, it will not be able to escape, causing nausea, bloating and digestive system toxicity.

2. Should you take medicine for constipation while breastfeeding?

Postpartum constipation often appears for a while after the mother gives birth to the baby and can go away on its own if there is a reasonable diet and activity. However, if constipation persists, it should be treated with a stool softener for the mother after birth.
Constipation softeners can pass into breast milk and affect the baby. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a stool softener for women who have a drug that is less absorbed into the blood, such as macrogol. This is a drug that works to increase the amount of water in the intestine, the volume of water in the intestine is not reabsorbed, so the solution has a laxative effect. Besides, the stool softener macrogol has a high molecular weight, so it is not absorbed and is not metabolized in the gastrointestinal tract, and does not affect the nursing infant.
In addition, mothers should also note that they should not use enemas to treat constipation. Because, the enema will affect the anus causing painful lesions. In particular, the long-term use of enemas through the anus will relax the anal smooth muscle, leading to the loss of the tenesmus reflex. Therefore, before using any stool softener for constipation, consult your doctor.

3. Prevention of postpartum constipation

In addition to using softeners to treat constipation, mothers need to change their lifestyle and eat a reasonable diet to prevent constipation from coming back such as:
Diet: In the daily menu, Please add foods high in fiber. Because fiber is very important for the digestive system, especially mothers who are experiencing postpartum constipation. Adding more fiber will help soften the stool so that it can be passed easily without exertion. Vegetables and whole grains contain a lot of fiber. Vegetables rich in fiber such as spinach, jute, cauliflower, carrots, etc. Fruits rich in fiber include avocado, papaya, apple, pear... liquid food for easy digestion. Eat several small meals a day to reduce pressure on the digestive system, thereby preventing gas, bloating and indigestion. Limit eating fried and greasy foods as well as stimulants. Drink enough water: Water is an important component that is very necessary for the body, especially postpartum women. Mothers need a lot more water than the average person to increase milk production for lactation. For those who suffer from postpartum constipation, it is very important to drink enough water, because lack of water will make stools become harder and aggravate constipation. Mothers can drink more milk, juice or broth in addition to water to keep the body fully hydrated as needed. Light exercise: try to sit up, walk, and be physically active after giving birth. This not only helps to restore health quickly for pregnant women, but also improves bowel movements and reduces the risk of constipation. Stay positive: After giving birth, many women may experience stress, stress when life has too many changes. Bad psychology will negatively affect the body's digestion. Therefore, mothers should keep a happy and comfortable spirit, and take time to rest to prevent and improve postpartum constipation, as well as minimize the risk of postpartum depression. Practice defecation habits: when going to the toilet, it is necessary to practice a good habit not only to help improve postpartum constipation but also to help the digestive system work better. A few principles to practice defecation habits are as follows: Go to the toilet on time: Create a habit of defecation at a certain time of the day. The best time is from 5-7 am because this is the time when the colon detoxifies. Maintaining the habit of defecating on time will help the digestive system work more smoothly and regularly. Sitting in the right position: The best position to defecate is the squatting position. However, nowadays most families use flat toilets, so mothers can improve this by placing a small stool under their feet when defecating. Do not hold back defecation: As soon as you feel the urge to defecate, you need to go immediately. If you often refrain from defecation, it will cause the stool to stagnate, become dry and hard, and make postpartum constipation worse. Moreover, the long-term accumulation of waste products in the digestive system can produce toxins that are harmful to the body. Do not sit to defecate for too long: When defecating, the mother should avoid sitting for too long, need to focus on defecation, do not go to the toilet while looking at the phone or reading the newspaper. Sitting for too long while defecating will put a lot of pressure on the veins in the anus, leading to constipation and worse hemorrhoids. In short, after giving birth, many women experience constipation, which makes mothers feel uncomfortable, causes pain and significantly affects daily life. However, stool softeners for constipation can be absorbed into the blood and milk, affecting the health of young children. Therefore, before using the drug, it is necessary to consult a doctor to ensure the health of both mother and baby.

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