TMI but how are you preparing...

[abb1701]

Stool softeners vs. Laxatives

I've heard/read many different things about taking these before and after delivery to help make things easier postpartum and now I can't decide. So ladies I need your advice. Whats worked best for you in the past? Or what are you planning this time around?

[misshart00]

I'm taking the off brand of colace which I think is a stool softener. I'm not sure if you'll want to take a full on laxative right now.

[flyster]

Add on question. Does it need to be either/or? Can it be both?

[cinnamonsugar]

Now- stool softeners, and after, whatever means are necessary to avoid a really painful embarrassing situation like last time after my c/s.

[Irishcurls]

I don't plan to take anything now. I know, I know, everyone poops but I don't need to bend fate in that direction. Colace/stool softeners after is my plan. I'm anti-laxative in general and colace is recommended for postpartum a lot.

[lotsofdotts]

I need to start thinking about this. Pooping has been my nemesis lately.

[abb1701]

I think taking both at the same time might not be a good idea. I mean that might be traumatizing. :/

[reneamac313]

Most laxatives are usually stimulant laxatives so they cause a bit more pain to get things going. I have a feeling that's the last thing I'm going to want more of after birth. Stool softeners all the way.

[kricha2010]

I never took anything before last time. Only a still softener after. My body was taking care of that itself during early labor which i think is very common.

[toadandbuggie]

I didn't have time to prepare like I was hoping since my l&d was so unexpected. The good news is that I knew I was slightly constipated before even going into labor and just took mirilax 2days postpartum today and my first BM was completely fine. So try not to stress!

[fishes]

I have no plans. Last time I didn't take anything beforehand, and just took what they gave me in the hospital afterwards. Nothing once I was home, and it was only about 24 hours before we were checked out. Everything worked out okay.

[dreemkin]

I just took the stool softener they gave me at the hospital. Nothing after getting home. I remember the peeing being bad, didn't have a problem with pooping.

[BellinghamMama]

Fisting - lots of fisting.
Jk- I have the colace ready for after delivery. Ate those suckers like candy after DS.

[allonsy221b]

After my first I was actually prescribed Dulcolax. I'm having a VBAC this time *hopefully* So I haven't even thought about this

ETA: First was a c/s

[trin42]

The stomach virus I had yesterday cleaned out the pipes really well.

Otherwise, I use colace pre- and post- partum

[angeldcf]

Labor naturally cleaned me out. I've taken generic Colace as needed & will request this PP along with the pain meds. I also took senna cote PP.

[Mom2Ms]

I used oral stool softeners, enema, and the glycerine suppositories both right before and after delivery with DD. I'll be doing that again.

[mamabisme]

The only thing I take before baby is an occasional fiber supplement if I don't meet my daily recommendation through food alone. I've had to supplement maybe 4-5 times through the pregnancy. After, I take a generic stool softener as long as I am on pain meds.

[cookie0875]

abb1701 I'm so glad you asked this! I've been wondering too. I was thinking stool softener afterwards, but was thinking why tempt fate before.

[jensoprano82]

Didn't have time to plan ahead as well, but I can tell you I had an episiotomy (sp?) and was deathly afraid of my first bm. But the hospital gave me a softener and I've been able to have two with not too much pain. If my stool was too loose right now it would scare me because of the sanitation issues (can't wipe efficiently w stitches) so I'm glad I didn't have time to overthink it

[sugahcookie01]

I bought colace but when should I start it?

[chicagojackie]

Miralax (polyethylene glycol) is what we like up in here. Safe in lactation, goes in whatever drink, no big deal. It's a sugar you can't digest and pulls water into your colon. It doesn't stimulate the bowel or get into the blood. Ask your provider though.

Colace (docusate sodium) a popular choice too and ok to use with miralax since they work differently.

Tons of water will be your friend too.

[chicagojackie]

Jan 25, 2015 10:02:59 GMT -5 sugahcookie01 said:

I bought colace but when should I start it?

After you have the baby. Or have them put Miralax (tasteless powder) in your clear fluids if you're having a hard time advancing your diet due to nausea/pain.

[nauticalmama]

Jan 25, 2015 18:25:32 GMT -5 chicagojackie said:

Miralax (polyethylene glycol) is what we like up in here. Safe in lactation, goes in whatever drink, no big deal. It's a sugar you can't digest and pulls water into your colon. It doesn't stimulate the bowel or get into the blood. Ask your provider though.

Colace (docusate sodium) a popular choice too and ok to use with miralax since they work differently.

Tons of water will be your friend too.

Thanks for clarifying this! 

[kcwnc]

I didn't use either with my first and didn't have any issues going. However, I usually only go every few days when not pregnant so I think my body was just happy to be back on its own schedule.

[le83]

With my first daughter, I used stool softeners after delivery.

[wendy46001]

Didn't use anything and didn't have any issues the first time around. So I'll stick to that unless something major happens during delivery (aka lots of stiches) than we'll go with a softener.

[Rarity]

I have enjoyed the fact that I go pretty much everyday now for the last 2-3 weeks... but with that, I'm a little freaked at the thought of pooping in the Dr's face (even though I know it's common and normal). Thing is, I know the dr/drs on call since I worked as a nurse at the office I'm going to for my prenatal care. So it makes things a little more awkward.

I am not planning on taking anything before L&D. With DS, I went the next morning expecting the worse, and it wasn't too bad. Not much help, sorry!

[wirtlehm]

Jan 23, 2015 22:21:07 GMT -5 allonsy221b said:

After my first I was actually prescribed Dulcolax. I'm having a VBAC this time *hopefully* So I haven't even thought about this

ETA: First was a c/s

So happy to hear this... I've always read on here "Colace" but Colace was like $10 more expensive than the Dulcolax so that's what I bought... I mean, obviously if the Dulcolax doesn't work I'll move on to bigger and better things, but hopefully since that's what they prescribed you the first time I'll be ok!

[mom2xover2002]

The stool softeners the hospital gave me along with adding a salad with every meal I ordered (minus breakfast) helped! It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'll keep the stool softeners up at home for now.