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Original poster

To not want strong painkillers after c-section?

119 replies

northerngirly · 04/03/2025 09:01

Will I be given strong painkillers after a planned c-section? My SIL had morphine in a drip after hers and for various reasons related to past medical trauma I absolutely do not want any form of morphine - no oramorph, or any painkillers in a driver. I’ve reacted badly to cocodamol/codeine in the past and it makes me feel completely insane which I really don’t want. Will I be fine on just ibuprofen and paracetamol? Will they listen when I say I don’t want anything stronger?

I can’t seem to find a good answer online so I’ve turned to Mumsnet!

OP posts:
LettersOfTheAlphabet · 04/03/2025 09:09

The anaesthetist gave me diamorphine during mine but that may have been because the spinal didn't work (extremely unusual I'm told so please don't worry about this). It made me feel like shit, so when I needed pain relief in the early hours the midwife said she'd need to speak to the doctor about oramorph and I said I just wanted paracetamol and ibuprofen which for me did the job fine. I'm sure if you speak to the anaesthetist they will respect your wishes.

ringmybe11 · 04/03/2025 09:07

I did have codeine days 1 and 2 I think. You will need something - the key is not letting anything wear off so I would plan on taking maximum doses of paracetamol and ibuprofen for first few days and spacing these out for maximum effect. Ibuprofen is every 8 hrs and paracetamol every 6

IVFmumoftwo · 04/03/2025 09:07

You might find that they won't be strong enough. I needed more than that after mine.

Bloodybrambles · 04/03/2025 09:07

I can’t remember what pain killers they gave me during the OP but when I came around they offered me paracetamol which I demanded something stronger. When they got me out of bed for the first time I passed out, which apparently is a normal response to severe pain!

InTheRainOnATrain · 04/03/2025 09:06

I’d ask for diclofenac and paracetamol. Diclofenac is the same drug family as ibuprofen but stronger and only on prescription. It was massively effective after mine and no side effects like those you get from coedine

standononefoot · 04/03/2025 09:06

I asked for no painkillers (just paracetamol) after my third c-section. I'd had bad reactions to the drugs in my previous two c-sections.

Big mistake. When the epidural wore off it was agony. The worst pain I'd ever felt. A massive deep incision across me - it felt like I was being burned that evening.

I asked for more pain relief but it took 30 horrible minutes to kick in.

Maybe just explain your concerns and ask for something mild? But stay on top of it and ask for more when you need it, especially the first day.

Octavia64 · 04/03/2025 09:06

There are other types of painkillers.

You may struggle on just paracetamol and neurofen.

hotchocdrinker · 04/03/2025 09:06

I've had 2 sections and was fine with just taking ibuprofen and paracetamol afterwards.

whathaveiforgotten · 04/03/2025 09:05

They won’t force you to have anything stronger and if you say you are coping fine with paracetamol and / or ibuprofen they won’t push other stuff other than asking if you want it as they will want you to know the option is available as some people do find it a huge help if their pain is bad.

I would personally have found it hard to cope without the stronger painkillers but everyone is different.

Do try to keep an open mind and keep taking to the nurses and doctors about it so you are aware of all your options.

Good luck and congratulations in advance! I loved my planned c section, it was so calm and beautiful. I hope you have a great experience too Flowers

daisypetula · 04/03/2025 09:05

I never had morphine after mine. I used voltarol/diclofenqc. I was home the next day and collected the older two from school.

LostMySocks · 04/03/2025 09:05

I had an EMCS. I may have been lucky but I don't think I had anything stronger than paracetamol as I was breast feeding.

usethedata · 04/03/2025 09:05

FYI I have not liked codeine in the past, but didn't have any issues with oramorph

tweetypi · 04/03/2025 09:05

I wasn't offered anything really - just paracetamol and ibuprofen. It's all numb for a few hours after surgery anyway. I'm allergic to codeine and they vaguely mentioned oramorph but nothing came of it..!

stackhead · 04/03/2025 09:05

I was fine with just paracetamol and ibuprofen after both my c sections. Just make sure you take them regularly so they don't have chance to wear off.

usethedata · 04/03/2025 09:04

I had a bit of oramorph the first 2 days, but not loads. Then paracetamol and ibuprofen were fine. You would be sore on just those in the first couple of days. But possible I think.

GuiltyGiraffe · 04/03/2025 09:03

They can't force painkillers on you. Just tell them.

Have you had a C-section before though? I can't imagine not taking painkillers after mine. It is major surgery.

RedHelenB · 04/03/2025 09:03

You'll need effective pain relief which may need to be stronger than ibuprofen.

Swiftie1878 · 04/03/2025 09:03

Talk to your doctors, but personally I wouldn’t have survived without my morphine for the first two days!

ItShouldntHappenToMeYet · 04/03/2025 09:02

Just tell the surgeon

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