Advice on going to the toilet after giving birth

Here are some tips on coping with going to the toilet after giving birth. Further reading: Life after childbirth

• For peace of mind, press a clean sanitary towel/pad against your vulva/vaginal opening to counteract the feeling that "your insides are going to fall out".

• It's obviously important to keep your bowels moving. Give yourself enough time alone in the loo. If you are constipated and find you are straining, try to adapt your diet. Ask a health professional for advice.

• If you have 3rd-degree tears (affecting your anus), doing a poo may be a bit worrying the first few times. If you are anxious, talk to your doctor, who may prescribe a mild laxative to ease things along.

• Alternatively, there are natural laxative foods you can eat like prunes, ripe banana, pear, plum juice and cauliflower…

• Keep up your fluids so you don't get constipation from dehydration. Remember that if you are breastfeeding you'll need to drink extra.

• If peeing stings, do it under the shower, spraying down below with nice lukewarm water as you pee.

• You need to take extra care with hygiene at this time to prevent infection, so ideally, shower after every trip to the toilet.

• Arch your back when doing a poo; this adds a bit more pressure to help empty your bowels.

• When peeing, bend forwards slightly so any tears or sutures are kept away from the urine.

• Rinse with water afterwards. This is partly to prevent infection, but also because it is cooling and relieves stinging.

• If you are worried about the flow, smell or appearance of blood/discharge after giving birth, consult a health professional. Keep yourself as dry as possible and change pads regularly.

• Many women also worry about pain down there. Stock up on sanitary pads, wash cloths, moisturising lotion and try to relax.

• If you are swollen in your vaginal area, it may feel good to apply a cool cloth against the swelling after going to the toilet. A bit of crushed ice well wrapped in a towel has a good effect.

• To promote healing, keep up your pelvic floor exercises; clenching and releasing inside your vagina stimulates the blood circulation in the pelvic region and reduces swelling.

• Gels and pain-relieving ointments are also available to numb the pain. Consult a health professional about what to use.