Scared to pee or poo postpartum?
I can certainly relate to this, being afraid to have a pee or a poo postpartum while my perineum (area between vagina and anus) still feels so tender and raw. This is a common fear amongst people who have had a tear or an episiotomy during delivery. You are certainly not alone. Episiotomy scars and perineum tears can take up to 6-8 weeks to heal (given that there is no infection). Here is what you can do to alleviate the pain and discomfort on your perineum while it’s still healing, especially while you are doing your toileting!
⭐️ Stool softener - Makes the passage of bowel much less strenuous, as prescribed by your doctor or midwife.
⭐️ Sitz bath - with Epson salt, non-alcoholic witch hazel and lavender/chamomile essential oil. There are also herbal kits that you can purchase online.
⭐️ Peri bottle - filled with warm water. While urinating, squirting the warm water at your perineum can help lessen the sting.
⭐️ Deep breathing - inhale through the nose and exhale/sigh through the mouth can help to relax your pelvic floor, to ease the passage of stool and urine
⭐️ Splinting - If you have had a Cesarean birth, I recommend gently pressing a pillow into your belly while passing bowel. If you have had a vaginal birth, I recommend applying gentle pressure on the perineum with your index and middle finger with a few sheets of toilet paper while passing your bowel. This helps to control the stretching of the perineum which is the main cause of pain.
If you notice an increase in pain, new bleeding or pus-like discharge (from your abdomen or your vagina), or begin to feel unwell, you should check with your doctor to make sure you don’t have an infection.
On rare occasions, there might be a chance that your stitching has come undone. If you notice some stitch material coming away or that the wound has re-opened, you definitely need to see your care provider to get it treated/re-stitched.
The postpartum period can be a challenging period, with a newborn to care for, lack of sleep, and the residual pain/discomfort from labouring . All of these factors can affect one’s physical well-being as well as mental well-being. I encourage you to seek mental and physical support whenever possible. I wish I had asked for more help when I was going through this challenging period.
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
By Mia Dang, PT / a registered physiotherapist with extensive supplementary training in pelvic floor physiotherapy and perinatal care
