The body undergoes many changes during pregnancy and childbirth.... These changes do not necessarily disappear after the birth of the baby.... In addition to vaginal bleeding, breast enlargement and night sweats, you may experience painful or uncontrollable abdominal bloating...

Is bloating normal after childbirth?

You are not the only one who has experienced bloating after giving birth.... It may not be in the medical books, but many women report feeling more bloated than usual after giving birth.

There are various reasons for bloating after giving birth. We will mention the possible reasons below.

Read more:What is the cause of excessive bloating in women?

Injury of the pelvic floor

Pelvic floor takes a lot of pressure during pregnancy....the muscle that lifts the anus is stretched or even torn during childbirth....this damage leads to anal incontinence....About half of women who are injured in this area during childbirth will experience changes in their mood.

These changes include the following:

• Feeling the urgent need to empty the bowels (as soon as a person feels the need to defecate, he should expel it)
• Anal incontinence
• Lack of control over bloating
• Not having control over diarrhea, mucus or stool

These symptoms, especially bloating, are more common in the first few months after a normal delivery.

Swedish researchers found that women who have more than one child experience more severe anal incontinence over time... If you still have symptoms nine months after giving birth, the problem is likely to persist if no intervention is done.

Constipation

Do you have a broken heart? It is probably the effect of constipation... Whether you give birth naturally or cesarean section, decreased bowel movements are normal for a few days after giving birth.... But constipation may take longer.

Learn more: How long does constipation last after giving birth?

Constipation symptoms include the following:

• Irregular excretion
• Stool hardness
• flatulence
• heartache
• Force and pressure during unloading
• You feel that the bowel has not been completely emptied

If you have had a caesarean section, your doctor will prescribe iron supplements....Iron also plays a role in constipation....If constipation continues for more than 3 or 4 days, you should contact your doctor....Some pain relievers also increase the likelihood of constipation.

Read this article with me: What are the symptoms of hernia after cesarean section and how is it treated?

Diet and lifestyle

If your baby is older, the reason for continued bloating after delivery is probably due to diet....Fiber-rich foods increase the amount of gas in the stomach....Check if you've been eating the following bloat foods:

• Beans
• Dairy products
• Whole grains (except rice)
• Vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage
Fruits like apples, peaches, pears and plums
• Beverages such as soft drinks, carbonated water and beer
• Candy, especially candy containing sorbitol
• Onion
• Gum
• Processed foods, especially foods containing fructose and lactose

Bloating from the above foods means you may have another problem, so check with your doctor... For example, if dairy products cause bloating, you're probably lactose intolerant.

Many flatulent foods are part of a healthy diet, so check with your doctor before eliminating certain foods.

Learn more:What is flatulence?

Abnormal symptoms of bloating after childbirth

Stomach bloating is very embarrassing or unpleasant.... In rare cases, you may mistake the pain caused by a uterine infection with the pain of bloating.

Symptoms of infection include the following:

• Bleeding that keeps getting worse
Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Fever above 38 degrees Celsius
• Severe lower abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting

Otherwise, if constipation lasts more than 3 or 4 days after giving birth, call your doctor... If you have symptoms of anal incontinence, it's better to get checked... Also see a doctor to rule out the following:

• Food allergy
• Lactose sensitivity
Celiac disease
• Other food problems that cause bloating

If you have no other concerns or problems, bloating is a good thing to bring up at your next visit.

Also read this article: 7 Natural Ways to Treat Postpartum Swelling

Ways to treat bloating after childbirth

If the bloating doesn't go away after the first few months or gets worse, you need to talk to your doctor about the treatment methods. The treatment method depends on the symptoms and the cause of the bloating.

Your doctor may suggest that you change your diet or use a laxative to relieve constipation....If needed, you can take 100 mg of Colac two to three times a day....This medicine can be purchased without a prescription.

To treat anal incontinence, it is best to try pelvic floor exercises under the supervision of a doctor... Your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist to teach you exercises to strengthen muscles and improve control.

Learn more: The best type of delivery for placenta previa

Home Remedies

With some home methods and without the need for medicine, you can reduce some of the complications of bloating after childbirth:

Treatment of constipation

Blood caused by constipation is uncomfortable, but you can improve it with some home remedies:

• Drink plenty of fluids, including water (at least 8 to 10 glasses a day)
• Drink a warm drink every morning, such as herbal tea or hot lemon water.
• Get as much rest as you can... although it is difficult, try to sleep when the baby sleeps.
A diet rich in fiber.... including bran, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Eat plums, which have natural and balanced laxative properties.
• If other methods do not work, use laxatives or mild laxatives (such as colic).

Learn more: The best tea for flatulence

To treat constipation after cesarean section, you can do the following:

• Do not take iron supplements until you have had one or more postpartum bowel movements.
• Walk around the house several times a day, for 10 minutes each time.
• Instead of using laxatives, try the effect of ibuprofen.
• Place a warm water bag on your stomach.

Learn more: Care after cesarean section

Diet change

Do you think the food you eat is the cause of bloating? Do trial and error....write down the foods you eat to see which foods cause more or less gas....if you notice a particular pattern, avoid those foods or talk to your doctor about food allergies.

Exercises for anal incontinence

You can also strengthen the pelvic floor muscles at home by doing the following:

• Ask your doctor or nurse to teach you how to do Kegel exercises... sometimes it's hard to find the right muscle.
• Stand or sit in a suitable and comfortable position.
• Pretend that you are holding urine or stool.... This is an area of ​​the pelvic floor muscle that is not in the thigh or abdomen.
• Do this exercise at least three times a day... each time you should contract the muscle 8 to 12 times and hold for 6 to 8 seconds.
• Try to do this exercise 3-4 times a week.
• The result is not immediately visible....it may take months to notice the change.

You can do this exercise anywhere without anyone knowing... Some people do it every time they are stuck in traffic or every time a TV commercial comes on.... If this exercise is difficult to do at first, start with small exercises to begin with.

Learn more:What is the cause of excessive bloating in men?

Conclusion

There are various reasons for bloating after giving birth....Many women experience bloating after giving birth, so you should not be embarrassed....In most cases, this problem will go away as the body recovers.

Source: healthline

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