What should you know about constipation after pregnancy c section?

After surgery, activity may be restricted and the bowel can be sluggish while your body recovers. Opioid pain medicines commonly slow bowel movement, and nausea or tiredness may reduce eating and drinking. Abdominal tenderness can make you worry about pushing, so stool may remain longer and harden. Constipation is separate from the healing incision, but severe pain, vomiting, or increasing swelling should not be assumed to be routine recovery.

Follow the movement advice from your maternity team and take brief walks as tolerated. Drink regularly, then build fibre through fruit, vegetables, oats, lentils, and whole grains rather than making a sudden large change. Use the toilet when you feel the urge and avoid forceful straining. Ask the surgical or maternity team whether a stool softener or laxative is appropriate, and discuss opioid pain relief if bowel symptoms began after it.

Call your maternity or surgical team if you cannot pass stool, constipation is worsening, or pain prevents normal movement. Seek urgent assessment for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, a swollen or rigid abdomen, inability to pass wind, faintness, fever, or blood in stool. Tarry dark stool also needs prompt medical review. The incision should be assessed separately if it becomes increasingly red, painful, or starts draining.

Ask which bowel medicine fits your recovery and feeding plans, whether your pain medicine can be adjusted, and what activity is safe. Tell the clinician when you last passed stool or wind, whether you are vomiting, and every medicine or supplement you use.