Is there such a thing as "Postpartum IBS"??

[1babysmom]

So...about 2 years ago, after DD2 was born, I posted this thread:
Can childbirth "cause" IBS or similar symptoms?

Now here I am again, after DS1 (3 weeks PP tomorrow) and experiencing pretty much the same thing (which I never have at any other time in my life). It eventually went away after DD (probably within a month or two PP) and so I expect it to this time, but is this all just normal hormonal stuff (though this seems more painful and more "intense" I guess than what I would think would be common for the PP period) or might there really be such a thing as "PP IBS"?

[Thalia the Muse]

There's postpartum constipation (I sure had it!) which can trigger IBS if you're prone to it.

I, myself, ate a lot of prunes (good thing they're tasty), and that really seemed to help.

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by Thalia the Muse

There's postpartum constipation (I sure had it!) which can trigger IBS if you're prone to it.

I, myself, ate a lot of prunes (good thing they're tasty), and that really seemed to help.

Yeah the constipation isn't a problem here. LOL More the opposite, along with intestinal cramps and painful gas.

It makes me wonder, as I didn't have it after DD1, who was my medicated hospital birth. But I have had it after both of my UC's (obviously natural)...the only difference between the two of them (other than medication) was the fact that DD1 took an hour to push out (lovely "semi-reclined" positioning...dumb), and the other two came out by my body's pushes (not my efforts really) in just 2-3 minutes. but I can't see how that would make a difference in this, kwim?

[Thalia the Muse]

Huh -- the only thing I can think of is that the hospital might have given you Colace to keep things moving gently and smoothly.

IME (and sorry, this is gross), constipation starts the IBS cycle because things get obstructed, and then your body responds with extreme measures to get everything clear -- hence the cramping and diarrhea.

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by Thalia the Muse

Huh -- the only thing I can think of is that the hospital might have given you Colace to keep things moving gently and smoothly.

IME (and sorry, this is gross), constipation starts the IBS cycle because things get obstructed, and then your body responds with extreme measures to get everything clear -- hence the cramping and diarrhea.

Well I did take stool softeners after each of the babies (actually, just one or two of them and that's it). It hasn't ever started off with constipation (thankfully I've never had that issue after babies, because it would terrify me! I think pooping is scary enough after babies! Even though the first time has never been bad, it's never something I eagerly anticipate LOL). But maybe I just haven't noticed or something. It seems to have started for me each time at about 2-2.5 weeks PP, but it just comes and goes until it goes away for good. So it's nothing really consistent, but when it happens it's VERY uncomfortable and just downright painful at times.

[Thalia the Muse]

I'm sorry! Maybe it is just hormones. They can certainly cause all kinds of problems. Stupid hormones.

[scottishmommy]

Yes, pregnancy can cause IBS. I read about that in an AWESOME book called "Ever Since I Had My Baby". It's a combination of weird hormones and birth trauma. Your pooping muscles may never be quite the same after giving birth.