Ask the doctor: Ever since I gave birth, I don’t get a sense of needing to poo and my bowels never fully empty

Question: Ever since I had my children 10 years ago, I don’t get a sensation that I need to poo. When I feel really bloated, I try and go to the toilet and after a long time something will come out, but definitely not everything. I have been taking OTC stool softeners, but either nothing happens or I get a bit of diarrhoea but never full relief. What could be wrong and what should I do?