I'm having a c-section on Friday and was told that it is recommended to use stool softners after the surgery to reduce straining. I was wondering if I should start taking these a couple days before the surgery, how long does it take to kick in? Thanks ladies!
Re: Stool softener before c-section
DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
DS: 11/8/11 | 9 lb 7 oz, 22 in
DD: 5/22/14 | 9 lb 9 oz, 21.5 in
Pretty much this. After my myomectomy (granted that was a 3 hour surgery under general anesthesia). I didn't have a Bm until 5 days postop and it took 3 hours to get it out. It was the worst thing ever. And that was with stool softeners starting the day before the surgery. So for my csection I started drinking prune juice 2 days before and ate very lightly (avoided the BRAT diet) the day before. I actually overdid it a little on the prune juice and ended up with mild diarrhea the evening before the csection. But the good news is that my first BM postop was a total non-issue. I will do the same this time.