Csection

I’ve heard about getting a stool softener which is a mild type of laxative. So not running to the toilet, but helps reduce any strain as can be difficult to go afterwards.

Hospital gave me a stool softener rather than a laxative. It basically helps things move a bit more comfortably.

I was sent home with a stool softener which was a lifesaver! It wasn’t a laxative so there was no running to the toilet. After a c-section you will be very backed up and sore so trust me you are going to want to have something to help move things along easier. Even with the stool softener it still took me a week or so to go to the toilet but it reduced the discomfort massively!

I’ve had 2 sections and had laxatives after both and it was only for 2 or 3 days. I found it encourages you to go and makes it easier when you do go. You really don’t want to be having to push as it hurts like mad so the laxatives just ease everything along. I didn’t find it had me running to the toilet it was just waking my colon up after being poked and prodded during surgery as that came make everything slow down, and made everything just sort of happen when I did go to the toilet.

Only softener in my case

I got stool softeners, not laxatives. You are so constipated after a section that the softeners don’t mean you’re running to the loo at all, they just help ease things along 😊

Lactoluse, just makes it easier. Doesn’t make you dash for the loo xx

Some of the pain meds you get following C-section can also bung you up so you could be constipated for quite a while after surgery depending how long you take them. How quickly you need to go would depend on the strength/dose. I was given senease tablets daily (10days worth) to counter the constipation from the pain meds but it had no effect initially so they added lactulose twice a day to get things moving. Took 5 days to labour the first bowl movement, another 3 for the second so I kept taking the lactulose (and prunes) once a day until I could go regularly without discomfort ~ 3weeks.

@Laura does the hospital provide you with this or would I have to buy and take with me? I didn’t get any of this with my first born.

@Megan I wasn’t allowed to leave hospital after my c section unless I done a poo and let me tell you it was the most painful thing ever!

I’m afraid I’m not sure, I can’t remember getting it with my first either. I’m due my second in Feb, I was thinking of just getting some anyway, as probably a useful thing to have in the weeks after once home / in the first aid cupboard.