18/02/2026
Your pooping habits can have a HUGE impact on your pelvic floor health. I see so many clients with pelvic floor dysfunction and observe sometimes they also struggle with constipation or have IBS. Constipation is so common postnatally as breastfeeding means your requirement for water is so much greater so it’s easy to get dehydrated. Furthermore piles and haemorrhoids often occur in late pregnancy so can also linger in the early postnatal period further impacting your pooping habits.
So in case any of this resonates with you here are my top 5 tips for pelvic floor friendly pooping 💩 💩 💩 :
1. Get a squatty potty or use your children’s stool or even a couple of toilet rolls to place your feet on. This will position you in a squat position which unkinks your colon to help your poo to move out of you with more ease! Lean forward slightly and breath out as you go, enabling your pelvic floor to release and let go.
2. Avoid becoming constipated by drinking enough water and eating enough fibrous food so you don’t need to bear down to evacuate. If struggling eat flaxseeds, chia seeds or a kiwi with its skin on.
3. If life is busy don’t hold onto your poo. When you get the call to go, go. The longer you wait the more your body will reabsorb moisture and constipate you.
4. Poo like a man!! I know mothers rarely get to poo in peace but it’s important to sit, breath and allow your pelvic floor to release. Don’t rush your no 2.
5. Take note of your poo. Check out the Bristol stool scale. It can be a good indicator of health. Any blood in your stool, sudden changes in your bowel habits, abdominal pain or weight loss see your GP asap!! There’s a simple test now that can now rule out bowel cancer just from a small stool sample.
If you are worried about your pelvic floor see a Women’s Health Physiotherapist who can do a full assessment. It is worth every penny and based on their advice we can create an exercise plan bespoke to you. Even in my group postnatal classes i see every client 1-2-1 to discuss their personal needs first.
