Is constipation normal after giving birth?

During pregnancy, the pressure of the fetus on the intestines or the excessive force exerted by the pregnant woman during childbirth can cause intestinal weakness and lead to symptoms of constipation. In fact, most of these are normal phenomena. Here are some reasons.

1. High levels of progesterone during pregnancy may have caused a certain degree of constipation during pregnancy.

2. Your digestive system will slow down dramatically during labor.

3. Your stool was discharged at the beginning of labor. When the baby is born through the birth canal, some things that are still in the rectum will be squeezed out.

4. Analgesics used during labor, such as pethidine, will make your intestinal motility slower than usual.

Unfortunately, these factors combine to cause 1 in 5 women to experience postpartum constipation. Constipation is more likely to occur if you also:

1. You gave birth to your baby with assistance, such as using forceps or a vacuum extractor.

2. You have given birth to a baby before (the more times you have given birth, the more common postpartum constipation is).

3. You are taking iron supplements or antidepressants, both of which can cause constipation.

4. You had an episiotomy and have stitches.