Home remedies for postpartum constipation

Pain around stitches or haemorrhoids can make you delay a bowel movement. Reduced activity, changes in eating and drinking, and some pain medicines can also slow the bowel. The first bowel movement may feel daunting, but straining is not helpful. Constipation means stools are hard, difficult to pass, or less frequent than your usual pattern.

Sip water regularly, unless your clinician has given different fluid advice. Add fibre gradually through fruit, vegetables, oats, beans or whole grains, and increase it alongside fluids. A short, comfortable walk can stimulate bowel activity. Sit with your feet supported, relax your abdomen, and respond when you feel the urge rather than postponing it. If you had a tear, stitches or a caesarean birth, keep movement gentle and follow your discharge instructions. Ask a pharmacist, midwife or doctor before using a laxative, especially while breastfeeding or taking prescribed medicines.

Contact a clinician if constipation is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by significant abdominal swelling, vomiting, severe pain, blood in the stool, or inability to pass gas. Seek advice if you feel faint, very thirsty or unusually weak, as these can occur with dehydration. A clinician can check medicines, pelvic or anal pain, and less common contributors such as hypothyroidism or another bowel condition.

Could my pain medicine or iron supplement be contributing? Which bowel treatment is suitable while breastfeeding? How should I protect stitches or haemorrhoids while passing stool? What symptoms would mean I need an examination?