How Can Severe Constipation Postpartum Be Treated?

Posted on Thu, 19 Apr 2018

Question: Hi Doctor,
My wife is suffering from constipation after delivery and it has been 6 months postpartum. It started 2 weeks after the delivery. She is taking duphalac stool softener and still have issues sometimes. Can you please guide us what could it be? She is breast feeding. We are worried.

Answered by Dr. Soumya (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Details Required

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I understand your concerns.

Constipation for such a long time is unusual and not expected.

Please answer few questions to assess the problem further and give detailed reply:

1) Was it a normal delivery or a cesarean section? If cesarean section was it performed during labor?

2) Was there any complication after delivery?

3) Is there change in food habits after delivery? Are you following particular food habits after delivery as some people do because of traditions?

4) How good is her vegetable and water intake?

Please answer above questions to answer further details.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (3 hours later)

Hi Doctor,
It was a normal delivery but she had a tear near cervix.
* she didn’t follow any traditions as such except for eating aloo.
* her water intake is normal, may be 2 to 3 litres per day. She is breast feeding.

Not sure why this is happening.

Answered by Dr. Soumya (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Water loss through breast milk needs to be compensated

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for additional information. This happens when the mother is breast feeding. There is loss of water loss with breast milk. Hence she needs to increase her water intake to at least 4 liters a day. She can have liquids like buttermilk, tender coconut, juice etc..

She has to eat more vegetables. This will surely help her constipation.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar