Will pooping after birth rip stitches?

If you've had stitches or a tear, doing a poo won't make the tear any bigger, or make your stitches come away. It's understandable to feel vulnerable about this part of your body. Feeling tense will make it harder for you to do a poo, though.

You're not alone in feeling worried about this, especially if you had stitches or a tear.

You may not need a poo for a day or so after giving birth, even if you usually go daily. When you are ready to do a poo, it shouldn't hurt.

The area between your vagina and anus (perineum) will feel quite numb. This is because the nerves inside and around your vagina are stretched from your baby's birth. The feeling will normally come back in a few days, but it can sometimes take longer.

If you've had stitches or a tear, doing a poo won't make the tear any bigger, or make your stitches come away.

It's understandable to feel vulnerable about this part of your body. Feeling tense will make it harder for you to do a poo, though.

Drink plenty of water to ease things along, as dehydration hardens poo, which makes it more difficult and uncomfortable to pass.

A little gentle exercise will ease things, so have a walk around. Eat plenty of fibre-rich foods, such as fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread and brown rice. This will help to soften your poo.

When you feel the urge to poo, don't put it off. Waiting can make you constipated, which happens to about a fifth of mums after they've given birth.

Try supporting your perineum by holding a sanitary towel against it, from the front. This may make you feel secure while you try. Once feeling returns to the area, this support may also help to ease any soreness.

Once you're sitting on the loo, go on your tiptoes, so your knees are slightly higher than your hips. Put your feet on a stool to lift your knees further, while resting your elbows on your knees so you’re squatting. This is better than the usual sitting position. See the image below for the best position.