What’s It Like to Go to the Toilet After Birth? Postpartum Care and Tips

After giving birth, many new mothers are focused on the monumental experience of labour and the joy of meeting their newborn. However, there are many aspects of postpartum recovery that often remain unspoken. One of the most common and sometimes uncomfortable concerns involves using the toilet for the first time after birth. Whether you’ve had a vaginal birth or a caesarean section, the physical and emotional recovery from childbirth can make even the simplest of tasks seem daunting.

So, what’s it like to go to the toilet after birth? How does your body feel, and what can you expect in the days and weeks following delivery? It’s essential for new mothers to know what to expect during this period and how to approach the recovery process, especially when it comes to postpartum care.

In this article, we will explore the realities of using the toilet after birth, offer tips to ease discomfort, and discuss how to prepare yourself for the changes your body will experience. We will also touch on the role of antenatal education in helping new mothers understand their bodies post-birth, as well as strategies to manage the physical changes and challenges during recovery.

a) Physical Changes Following Birth

After giving birth, your body is undergoing numerous physical changes as it begins to recover. For many women, this means managing the healing process in the genital area, especially after a vaginal birth. The pelvic muscles, tissues, and skin will be stretched or even torn during delivery, which can cause discomfort when using the toilet.

In addition to this, the uterus is still contracting back to its normal size, which can feel uncomfortable or cause cramping. If you had a caesarean section, there may be tenderness around the surgical site, which can also make movements like sitting or standing for long periods more difficult.

b) The Urinary System After Birth

One of the first changes many women notice postpartum is the need to pee more frequently. During pregnancy, the growing baby may press on your bladder, leading to a sense of urgency. After delivery, this pressure may be reduced, but the pelvic floor muscles might not yet be fully back to their pre-pregnancy strength. This can result in leaks or difficulty controlling urination. For some women, the fear of straining too much while trying to urinate or pass stool can increase feelings of anxiety or discomfort, especially if there has been tearing or an episiotomy.

c) The Bowel System Postpartum

After birth, the bowel system can be impacted by a number of factors. The pressure of labour on the rectum, combined with hormonal changes, can cause constipation in the early postpartum days. The muscles of the rectum may also be weakened, which can make it more challenging to have a bowel movement or pass stool without discomfort. If you’ve had stitches from an episiotomy or tearing during vaginal delivery, this can increase the discomfort, especially if you need to use the toilet.

d) Managing the Postpartum Body

Many new mothers will experience a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the pelvic area, which can make any form of toilet use more uncomfortable. As part of antenatal care, you may have been provided with information on pelvic floor exercises or how to care for any perineal tears or stitches. These exercises can help to speed up recovery and restore muscle strength in the pelvic region, reducing discomfort when using the toilet. Postpartum pelvic health is crucial to prevent long-term issues like incontinence or prolapse.

2. Using the Toilet After a Vaginal Birth

a) Urination

Urination after childbirth can feel different for many women. The sensation of needing to go might not feel as strong immediately after giving birth, and some women experience a more frequent need to urinate. For others, there may be an initial feeling of burning or stinging when urinating, particularly if there has been an episiotomy or tearing in the vaginal or perineal area.

To make urination more comfortable, many women find that pouring warm water over the perineum while urinating (a practice called perineal irrigation) can soothe the area and prevent stinging. This is a common technique recommended by midwives, as it helps prevent infection and discomfort.

b) Bowel Movements

Having a bowel movement after vaginal birth can cause anxiety for many new mothers, especially if there has been significant tearing or an episiotomy. The fear of straining too much and reopening stitches is real, and it’s important to take steps to ensure that your bowel movements are as comfortable as possible.

Staying hydrated, eating a fibre-rich diet, and considering stool softeners (which your doctor or midwife may recommend) can all help to reduce the risk of constipation and make bowel movements easier. It’s also recommended to avoid straining, as this can put unnecessary pressure on the pelvic floor and stitches. In some cases, antenatal massage techniques, which focus on relieving tension in the pelvic area, can help ease discomfort during bowel movements.

c) Pain Relief

For pain relief during urination or bowel movements, many women find comfort in using witch hazel pads, sitz baths, or ice packs on the perineal area to reduce swelling and discomfort. These remedies can be recommended during antenatal appointments to help manage pain and provide relief in the immediate postpartum period.

3. Using the Toilet After a Caesarean Section

a) Urination

After a caesarean section, the experience of using the toilet can also be impacted by the surgical incision and the healing process. The need to urinate might be less frequent initially, as the body is recovering from surgery, and the pelvic area may still be numb or tender. It’s important to take care when sitting on the toilet and to avoid putting pressure on the surgical site.

To aid healing and improve comfort, some women find it helpful to lean forward slightly while sitting or use a cushion for support.

b) Bowel Movements

The bowel can also be impacted by the caesarean delivery. Constipation is often a concern after surgery due to the effects of medications, reduced movement, and the impact of the surgery on the digestive system. As with vaginal birth, eating a high-fibre diet, drinking plenty of water, and taking stool softeners can help. Some women may also benefit from using a postpartum exercise routine like yoga for pregnancy, which includes gentle movements that can encourage digestion and ease constipation.

After a caesarean section, it’s important to avoid any excessive straining, as this can put pressure on the incision site. Using relaxation techniques, such as prenatal yoga, can help ease any tension in the body and make the process more manageable.

4. Tips for Managing Toilet Time Postpartum

a) Stay Hydrated and Eat Fibre

One of the most important things you can do for your body after birth is to stay hydrated and eat a fibre-rich diet. This will help to keep your stool soft, reduce the risk of constipation, and ease any discomfort you experience when going to the toilet. Make sure to incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your meals to promote digestive health.

b) Avoid Straining

Straining to pass stool can exacerbate discomfort and prolong the healing process, especially if there are stitches or if you’ve had a caesarean section. Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or gentle pelvic floor exercises, can help you avoid straining during bathroom visits.

c) Take Care of Your Pelvic Floor

Strengthening your pelvic floor after birth is essential for avoiding issues like incontinence and prolapse. It’s advisable to start gentle pelvic floor exercises once you’ve been cleared by your healthcare provider. These exercises can help restore muscle strength in the pelvic area and make using the toilet less uncomfortable.

d) Use Comfortable Toilet Positions

Finding the most comfortable position on the toilet can make a big difference in your experience. Some women find that sitting on the toilet with their feet elevated slightly (using a stool or small chair) can help relieve pressure on the pelvic region and promote smoother bowel movements.

5. When to Seek Help

While discomfort when using the toilet after birth is common, there are times when it’s important to seek help. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your healthcare provider:

Severe pain or discomfort when urinating or having a bowel movement

Inability to pass urine or stool

Bright red blood in your urine or stool

Prolonged or worsening constipation

Inability to control urination or bowel movements

Your antenatal clinic or postpartum care team can provide support and help ensure your recovery process is progressing well.

Going to the toilet after birth is often a source of anxiety and discomfort, but with the right preparation and postpartum care, most women experience a gradual improvement in the days and weeks following childbirth. Whether you’ve had a vaginal birth or caesarean section, understanding what to expect and taking steps to support your recovery can make this necessary part of postpartum life much more manageable.

With antenatal support, such as guidance on pelvic floor exercises, pain relief techniques, and healthy lifestyle choices, you can promote healing and restore comfort as your body adjusts to life after childbirth.