Rectum and Bowl Movements After Birth

---

Your rectum is lined with small blood vessels, which are not seen or felt. A hemorrhoid is formed when these blood vessels in the rectum get swollen. Sometimes the vessels swell and stay inside the rectum where you cannot see it, but you know it is there because it might burn or bleed. Sometimes the blood vessel will swell, and you will be able to see it outside of your rectum. These swollen vessels can be present before you give birth because of your heavy uterus or from pushing to have a bowel movement. For some women, they are not present until after they give birth. Hemorrhoids while you are pregnant and after giving birth are common sometimes, they hurt, but they can be helped. 

Bowel Movements: It is normal for a woman not to have a bowel movement for up to five days after birth. Some women have diarrhea before their labor starts; some women may have a bowel movement during labor and delivery; if this happens to you, then there is not much stool left in you to pass after birth. If you are concerned that it will hurt when you have a bowel movement, you must relax. Most women find how bad they think having a bowel movement will be, is worse than the real thing. 

Call your midwife or doctor: 

• If you pass gas or stool from your vagina 
• If you cannot control your bowel movement or urine 
• If you have not had a bowel movement after five days 

Things to help hemorrhoids and bowel movements: 

• See caring for your bottom.
• Add fiber to your diet to help soften stool. Fiber comes from the foods that you eat, such as fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, prunes, and bran.