C section - anyone currently recovering?

[ChorusLine69]

And can reassure me this gets better/easier?? I had a section ( 2nd one) on Tuesday and initially the pain seemed better than first time round but I came back from hospital yesterday and the pain has really kicked in. Baby wanting to feed all the time and nipples are killing, plus I forgot about uterus contracting back down when feeding and how painful that feels. I was sat on the loo sobbing at 3am as took me 10 mins to get from bed to bathroom as soon painful moving about . I think I need better pain management as paracetamol aren't touching it?! Anyone else feeling similar or has been through it and any pearls of wisdom? Have clearly forgotten all this from when my son was born

[timegate]

Sorry to hear that. I didn't have a C- section so can't help with that, but yes you can increase your pain relief. I used to have 2 paracetamols and 1 ibuprofen every 6 hours. If that doesn't help, do call up your GP and ask for help. Wishing you all the best, it does get easier I promise you x

[ChorusLine69]

Thanks timegate ive done just that with the paracetamol and ibuprofen today, and managing pain much better, sure it will get easier by the day - thanks for your reply x

[goodenoughmum88]

Paracetamol and ibuprofen and don't miss doses or it's agony. Also if you need to get more pain relief from GP. Xxx

[mrsmonkey14]

Yep had 2nd last week, sounds like you need more than just paracetamol. I had codeine for a week post csec, plus regular paracetamol and Max strength ibuprofen and I've been in hardly any pain. Stopped codeine after week but continuing with the others for now, but needing less and less.
The other thing that helps is peppermint oil capsules (can get from likes of Holland and Barrett) and peppermint tea as sometimes the wind in your tummy is causing the pain. Good luck.

[timegate]

Pleased to hear it helped OP. Yes as PP said, do get codeine if you need it. And call up your GP if you can't go in.

[ChorusLine69]

Thanks mrsmonkey - I hope you are recovering well from yours and it's getting easier. I will try the peppermint thing as I do thing some of my pain at night has been wind - surprising how painful it can be. I think I may have rushed it a bit as came home day after c section but just desperate to get out of hospital as it was so noisy! It's definitely getting better now and feeling more in control of the pain. Really grateful for all the advice

[HandbagFan]

Be careful with peppermint oil - too much can dry up your milk supply.

[mrslebon]

Be careful with codeine too as it can cause constipation. I did with me and I ended up in A&E a week after the C section . It does get better day by day and agree that paracetamol and Nurofen works wonders.

[dollydaydream84]

Is bet the contraction pain is causing s lot of the probe. Didn't get any pains with DC1 but horrendous after DC2, gets worse with each child apparently and womb has had double scar in and is trying to contract on a wound. It gets better xx

[ChorusLine69]

Dolly daydream - thank you , that makes sense, I think a lot of the pain has been that as its been worse when breast feeding
Getting better now, scar giving me some grief but struggling to take it easy with toddler and newborn!

[meladeso]

oh sorry for you OP
I'm going in for my second next week, and a bit worried about second time around recovery - will take on board these tips and load up on the painkillers.
Hope you feel better soon xx

[MacTweedy]

Definitely ask for more painkillers- I was sent home with some oramorph too. If you are given some, take the paracetamol with it as it increases the effectiveness of the oramorph. I found 2nd time harder recovery, but maybe that's because I was carrying to do too much with dc1. Hope you're less sore soon

[Loulou2kent]

I'm not recovering now, but recovering from my second c-section was more painful. Agree with everyone saying alternate pain relief & don't forget!! I remember crying trying to crawl up the stairs to bed, crying when I needed to sit on the loo because squatting that low was horrendous. Do you have worse pains one side? The breastfeeding does make it uncomfortable. Also means your scar doesn't get a chance to air as much, esp with a newborn that seems to be constantly attached to your boob. If I remember after 4 weeks I felt so much better! Sending you & try & take it easy. (I know it's difficult when you have another child). Hope your feeling better soon OP

[PontypandyPioneer]

I had my 2nd c section 3 weeks ago and started feeling normal again last week. I have a 22 month old as well but am trying not to lift him and I'm not driving yet so am taking it as easy as possible. I'm lucky that I have help when my husband is at work - my mum and in laws come regularly.

I stopped taking painkillers after about a week so if you're still in pain I'd ask for more.

Good luck, hope you feel better soon & congratulations!

[farfallarocks]

No idea why but there is a trend to give women pathetic pain relief after c sections! Paracetamol!!! My midwife insisted I was discharged with paracetamol diclofenac and codeine ( with a laxative too) and that just about kept on top of the pain, just. She noted it's a new trend l, no idea if it's cost cutting but it's ridiculous you have had major abdominal surgery! Congrats on your baby x

[GrassW1dow]

I'm sure I was given stronger stuff than paracetemol/Nurofen...I'd ask if there's anything else they can give you

[MrsW1982]

Pretty sure I took a combo of paracetamol, ibuprofen and diclofenac (at intervals). If I remember rightly, you shouldn't take codeine (so no co-codamol)if you are breast feeding. Hope you're feeling better by now... x