Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsIncontinence CausesDiarrhea CausesHow Common Is It?TreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Incontinence Causes
Diarrhea Causes
How Common Is It?
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Postpartum diarrhea and constipation are frequent concerns in the weeks and months after childbirth. Roughly 10% of postpartum women also deal with bowel control problems.This includes bowel urgency andfecalincontinence, which describes the inability to control bowel movements.
Chris Ryan / Getty Images
This article discusses the symptoms associated with postpartum bowel urgency and fecal incontinence. It also covers possible causes, treatment options, and prevention tips.
Possible Symptoms
What Causes Fecal Incontinence?
Childbirth can cause bowel problems for a variety of reasons. Factors that increase your risk of experiencing urgency and incontinence issues postpartum include:
The sphincter is a ring of muscle that helps control the opening and closing of the anus.
What Causes Postpartum Diarrhea?
The causes of postpartum diarrhea aren’t always clear, but it could be related to the changes in hormones that happen after you give birth. Uterine contractions as your uterus returns to its normal size may also trigger looser or frequent stools
What Is Dumping Syndrome?
How Often Does Fecal Incontinence Happen?
Bowel urgency and fecal incontinence are common the first few months after a vaginal delivery. While less frequent, those who deliver viaC-sectioncan also experience these symptoms. In some individuals symptoms go away after months, but for others, symptoms may worsen, and/or return with later pregnancies.
Research suggests thatsphincterinjuries due to birthing significantly increase the risk of fecal incontinence. About 12% of individuals experience fecal incontinence without having a sphincter injury, while 24% experience this symptom after one injury. The prevalence jumps to 36% if the individual has had two sphincter injuries due to childbirth.
Week-to-Week Pregnancy Timeline
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you are experiencing bowel urgency and fecal incontinence. Remember, your healthcare provider is there to help you manage your condition.
Treatment will vary depending on your specific needs. Options may include:
Ways to Manage Fecal Incontinence
To help manage and cope with fecal incontinence, there are some tips to keep in mind:
How to Treat Fecal Incontinence From IBD
Treating Postpartum Diarrhea
See your healthcare provider if:
How to Prevent Long-Term Problems
Unfortunately, fecal incontinence problems stemming from pregnancy and childbirth can show up years afterward. However, there are steps that you can take to reduce your chance of long-term problems:
How to Deal With IBS Diarrhea Urgency
Summary
While common within the first few months after delivery, some individuals may continue to experience bowel urgency and fecal incontinence.
There are many factors that may increase your risk of experiencing urgency and incontinence issues.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt’s common for bowel habits to change after pregnancy. Trauma to pelvic floor muscles from childbirth can lead to urinary or bowel incontinence.Learn MoreHow Doctors Diagnose and Treat Urinary IncontinenceYes, digestive issues, including constipation and incontinence, are common after pregnancy.Be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you are experiencing these.Learn MoreConstipation: Overview and MoreYou can develop irritable bowel syndrome at any time. There is no evidence that it is more likely to develop or worsen after giving birth, but it does commonly begin before age 35.Learn MoreHow IBS Is TreatedDrink plenty of fluids and avoid foods that may speed up intestinal contractions, such as greasy or fatty foods. If you also have a fever, seek urgent medical care since this can be a sign of infection.Learn MoreFoods to Avoid When You Have DiarrheaIn general, bowel movements can go back to normal around four days after delivery.
It’s common for bowel habits to change after pregnancy. Trauma to pelvic floor muscles from childbirth can lead to urinary or bowel incontinence.Learn MoreHow Doctors Diagnose and Treat Urinary Incontinence
It’s common for bowel habits to change after pregnancy. Trauma to pelvic floor muscles from childbirth can lead to urinary or bowel incontinence.
Learn MoreHow Doctors Diagnose and Treat Urinary Incontinence
Yes, digestive issues, including constipation and incontinence, are common after pregnancy.Be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you are experiencing these.Learn MoreConstipation: Overview and More
Yes, digestive issues, including constipation and incontinence, are common after pregnancy.Be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you are experiencing these.
Learn MoreConstipation: Overview and More
You can develop irritable bowel syndrome at any time. There is no evidence that it is more likely to develop or worsen after giving birth, but it does commonly begin before age 35.Learn MoreHow IBS Is Treated
You can develop irritable bowel syndrome at any time. There is no evidence that it is more likely to develop or worsen after giving birth, but it does commonly begin before age 35.
Learn MoreHow IBS Is Treated
Drink plenty of fluids and avoid foods that may speed up intestinal contractions, such as greasy or fatty foods. If you also have a fever, seek urgent medical care since this can be a sign of infection.Learn MoreFoods to Avoid When You Have Diarrhea
Drink plenty of fluids and avoid foods that may speed up intestinal contractions, such as greasy or fatty foods. If you also have a fever, seek urgent medical care since this can be a sign of infection.
Learn MoreFoods to Avoid When You Have Diarrhea
In general, bowel movements can go back to normal around four days after delivery.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johannessen HH, Mørkved S, Stordahl A, Wibe A, Falk RS.Evolution and risk factors of anal incontinence during the first 6 years after first delivery: a prospective cohort study.BJOG. 2020;127(12):1499-1506. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.16322American Urogynecologic Society.Bowel control.Cattani L, Neefs L, Verbakel JY, Bosteels J, Deprest J.Obstetric risk factors for anorectal dysfunction after delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int Urogynecol J. 2021;32(9):2325-2336. doi:10.1007/s00192-021-04723-zInternational Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Childbirth and delivery.Nilsson IEK, Åkervall S, Molin M, Milsom I, Gyhagen M.Symptoms of fecal incontinence two decades after no, one, or two obstetrical anal sphincter injuries.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021;224(3):276.e1-276.e23. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2020.08.051National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of fecal incontinence.National Association for Continence.Incontinence during pregnancy and childbirth.Johnson KT, Williams PG, Hill AJ.The importance of information: prenatal education surrounding birth-related pelvic floor trauma mitigates symptom-related distress.J Womens Health Phys Therap. 2022;46(2):62-72. doi:10.1097/JWH.0000000000000229Shin GH, Toto EL, Schey R.Pregnancy and postpartum bowel changes: constipation and fecal incontinence.Am J Gastroenterol. 2015;110(4):521-529. doi:10.1038/ajg.2015.76Office on Women’s Health.Irritable bowel syndrome.Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.Urgent maternal warning signs.Cleveland Clinic.What to know about pooping after giving birth.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johannessen HH, Mørkved S, Stordahl A, Wibe A, Falk RS.Evolution and risk factors of anal incontinence during the first 6 years after first delivery: a prospective cohort study.BJOG. 2020;127(12):1499-1506. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.16322American Urogynecologic Society.Bowel control.Cattani L, Neefs L, Verbakel JY, Bosteels J, Deprest J.Obstetric risk factors for anorectal dysfunction after delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int Urogynecol J. 2021;32(9):2325-2336. doi:10.1007/s00192-021-04723-zInternational Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Childbirth and delivery.Nilsson IEK, Åkervall S, Molin M, Milsom I, Gyhagen M.Symptoms of fecal incontinence two decades after no, one, or two obstetrical anal sphincter injuries.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021;224(3):276.e1-276.e23. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2020.08.051National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of fecal incontinence.National Association for Continence.Incontinence during pregnancy and childbirth.Johnson KT, Williams PG, Hill AJ.The importance of information: prenatal education surrounding birth-related pelvic floor trauma mitigates symptom-related distress.J Womens Health Phys Therap. 2022;46(2):62-72. doi:10.1097/JWH.0000000000000229Shin GH, Toto EL, Schey R.Pregnancy and postpartum bowel changes: constipation and fecal incontinence.Am J Gastroenterol. 2015;110(4):521-529. doi:10.1038/ajg.2015.76Office on Women’s Health.Irritable bowel syndrome.Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.Urgent maternal warning signs.Cleveland Clinic.What to know about pooping after giving birth.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johannessen HH, Mørkved S, Stordahl A, Wibe A, Falk RS.Evolution and risk factors of anal incontinence during the first 6 years after first delivery: a prospective cohort study.BJOG. 2020;127(12):1499-1506. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.16322American Urogynecologic Society.Bowel control.Cattani L, Neefs L, Verbakel JY, Bosteels J, Deprest J.Obstetric risk factors for anorectal dysfunction after delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int Urogynecol J. 2021;32(9):2325-2336. doi:10.1007/s00192-021-04723-zInternational Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Childbirth and delivery.Nilsson IEK, Åkervall S, Molin M, Milsom I, Gyhagen M.Symptoms of fecal incontinence two decades after no, one, or two obstetrical anal sphincter injuries.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021;224(3):276.e1-276.e23. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2020.08.051National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of fecal incontinence.National Association for Continence.Incontinence during pregnancy and childbirth.Johnson KT, Williams PG, Hill AJ.The importance of information: prenatal education surrounding birth-related pelvic floor trauma mitigates symptom-related distress.J Womens Health Phys Therap. 2022;46(2):62-72. doi:10.1097/JWH.0000000000000229Shin GH, Toto EL, Schey R.Pregnancy and postpartum bowel changes: constipation and fecal incontinence.Am J Gastroenterol. 2015;110(4):521-529. doi:10.1038/ajg.2015.76Office on Women’s Health.Irritable bowel syndrome.Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.Urgent maternal warning signs.Cleveland Clinic.What to know about pooping after giving birth.
Johannessen HH, Mørkved S, Stordahl A, Wibe A, Falk RS.Evolution and risk factors of anal incontinence during the first 6 years after first delivery: a prospective cohort study.BJOG. 2020;127(12):1499-1506. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.16322
American Urogynecologic Society.Bowel control.
Cattani L, Neefs L, Verbakel JY, Bosteels J, Deprest J.Obstetric risk factors for anorectal dysfunction after delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int Urogynecol J. 2021;32(9):2325-2336. doi:10.1007/s00192-021-04723-z
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Childbirth and delivery.
Nilsson IEK, Åkervall S, Molin M, Milsom I, Gyhagen M.Symptoms of fecal incontinence two decades after no, one, or two obstetrical anal sphincter injuries.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021;224(3):276.e1-276.e23. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2020.08.051
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of fecal incontinence.
National Association for Continence.Incontinence during pregnancy and childbirth.
Johnson KT, Williams PG, Hill AJ.The importance of information: prenatal education surrounding birth-related pelvic floor trauma mitigates symptom-related distress.J Womens Health Phys Therap. 2022;46(2):62-72. doi:10.1097/JWH.0000000000000229
Shin GH, Toto EL, Schey R.Pregnancy and postpartum bowel changes: constipation and fecal incontinence.Am J Gastroenterol. 2015;110(4):521-529. doi:10.1038/ajg.2015.76
Office on Women’s Health.Irritable bowel syndrome.
Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.Urgent maternal warning signs.
Cleveland Clinic.What to know about pooping after giving birth.
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