Nursing and using laxatives?

Body: 

Hello Ladies,

I am going on week 2 with my rectocele diagnosis, which after seeing my own doctor has gone from a 3rd degree with a recommendation of surgery, to a 1st maybe 2nd degree rectocele and small cystocele with a MUCH more conservative approach to dealing with my symptoms!! My doctor suggested I stay on stool softners, high fiber diet, and using laxatives to keep away from constipation. I am worried that this regiment will hurt my poor little guys plumbing since I am nursing. I have never been a good "pooper" which I'm sure helped this along, but with the stress of diagnosis, and the fact that I am prone to constipation (since all my water first goes to making milk for him), I am leaning towards laxatives to help.... Has anyone else experienced problems with stool softners, ect. while nursing? She said it was okay, but I'd rather hear that from experience before I try it and end up hurting the little one!

Thanks in advance ladies!

personally, I would try dietary approach unless you are currently severely constipated. avoiding white flour and cheese is helpful while you add high fiber foods.

sorry so short, but the kids are calling

do a search here for constipation, its been discussed in great detail with loads of fabulous tips and coping strategies.

Hi 518

I agree with Gmom, but you can always go back to the stool softeners if you need to. It is good to have a rabbit or two in your hat!

I had a big mug when I was nursing. It held about 500ml. Every time I sat down to feed a baby, which was often for all three, I would fill my mug with hot water first, and take it with me to drink while feeding bub. It was not difficult to finish, and it didn't matter if I didn't. I seem to remember that I always got a dry mouth when nursing, which started the habit in the first place. Having enough water is super important if you are nursing and eating lots of fibre, because the fibre sucks it up and bulks and softens the stool at the same time, naturally.

Cheers

Louise

I found whilst nursing that I had to ensure i drank a ton 24/7. I had a few glasses of water by the bed and drank them overnight everytime i got up to feed, and tons during the day. also, since getting a rectocele i have to really watch my diet, and it seems others have had the same experience. I can no longer eat dairy other than a bit of live yogurt, chocolate, more than a little bread--and i have to eat about 35 - 45 gms of fibre a day, including lots of raw veg and things like beans, lentils, brown rice...

so personally i agree--before starting laxatives, i'd really really try with the diet--laxatives make your body lazy, and stop doing what it should do naturally. if i'm not eating well i eat soaked flax seeds (someone described them as being like toad's eyes--totally agree, but they work) and rehydrated prunes / apricots / figs (never eat them just dried--they sap moisture from your system). maybe that would help???

Hello Ladies,

Thank you for your replies, they have helped! I am a big on the water, but it has probably not been enough so I have added more!! As for the fiber....it has only been 2 days but has made me a bit unpopular....I have had more gas than BM's!! Any ideas to help curb that?? I also have another problem (sorry... I know there is a lot of this already addressed in past forums but still have yet to get through enough)...Even if I am not constipated, I feel like I can't get it out?? I have made attempts at splinting, as I have read about, but it hurts so I didn't want to make things worse?? What else have you all had success with?? Sorry if this is a strange question, but I am just so eager to get myself in a better place, this has all been so devastating as you know. I just want to get myself back to enjoying my new baby and not being so concerned with my bum all the time!

I will quote from The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook, by Charmaine Solomon, my Asian cooking guru.
"Dried Beans,Peas and Lentils (points to watch). While there are other foods besides pulses which give the average person flatulence or wind, undoubtedly beans have a well-earned reputation as the surest way to a rumbling tum.
The flatulence is caused by sugars, called oligosaccharides, present in the beans. These need to be broken down by soaking and cooking, or bacteria attack them in the small intestine, producing "gas". But there are ways in which this unfortunate side effect can be lessened or eliminated. The first rule is that dried beans or lentils must be very well cooked, for a partially cooked bean is a potential trouble maker. One test for whether a bean is cooked is to lift it from the cooking liquid and blow on it. In a fully cooked bean the skin should peel away. Another method is to bite through the bean or press it between finger and thumb. There shuold be no firm centre. A pressure cooker is invaluable for making sure they are thoroughly cooked in the shortest possible time. Lengthy soaking could also cause fermentation, especially in warm weather. It is best to soak them in plenty of water to cover, in the refrigerator. Or bring to the boil, leave to soak in the covered pan for 2 hours, then drain and cover with fresh water before continuing with the recipe.
Salt added to the soaking water also helps prevent fermentation - add 2 teaspoons salt to each 2 cups beans with sufficient water to cover. Drain and replace with fresh water for cooking. a preliminary short cooking with a pinch of bicarb soda (no more than 1/2 teaspoon to 2.5l/74 fl oz water) followed by a thorough rinsing, is another way to tenderise beans. Cover with fresh water and continue cooking, but salt is not added util the beans or lentils are almost cooked or they will take even longer to become tender. When using a pressure cooker, salt may be added at the start of cooking.
Adding certain spices such as cumin and fennel, or garlic is advocated in India. They also use asafoetida (an incredibly pungent resin) in tiny amounts, about the size of a peppercorn. In Mexico it is recommended that a couple of avocado leaves toasted, crumbled and added to the dish will prevent flatulence. Oregano and fresh coriander are used in bean dishes for the same reason."

The advice to cook them well does make a lot of sense.

Cheers

Louise