Leaving epidural in after c-section?

[diggingforvictory]

I'm having a planned c-section in a few weeks. I've previously had an emergency c-section which was a horrible experience and very painful afterwards, so I'm looking for ways of making this time better.

According to an article on Netdoctor, some doctors will leave the epidural in after the operation to keep you out of pain. This didn't happen to me - they took it out straight afterwards. Has anyone had this? Can I ask for it in a normal NHS hospital?

"Most anaesthetists now leave the tiny catheter that administers the epidural anaesthetic in place after the Caesarean, so that pain relief can be reinforced for a day or two after the operation without the need for further tablets or medication."

www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/pregnancy_too_posh_003739.htm

It will probably depend on what they can offer at your hospital - no harm in asking if they can do it. It sounds a bit limiting to have the catheter left in afterwards though? I was glad to get up and moving about as soon as I could.

Mine was taken out, but to be honest, the diclophenac and paracetamol were enough pain relief for me.

I didn't have this with either of my c-sections, but my father recently had major abdominal surgery and they left the epidural in for 24 hours after the op, gradually decreasing the dosage. It really helped with his pain relief.

The problem is, you cannot have an epidural in on a normal recovery ward in most NHS hospitals (at least, I think this is the case).

Did you have morphine last time? I was offered liquid morphine for about 36 hours after my second section, and although some people don't like the 'spaced out' feeling you can get with it, I loved it . Knocked every bit of pain out.

I think I just had diclophenac, codeine and paracetamol. It wasn't anywhere near enough. I kept telling the midwives I was in a lot of pain, but I just got sympathy not drugs!

I'll ask my midwife whether they can do it.

Pressuredrop, could you still feed the baby when you had morphine?

I had morphine for three days after a forceps birth and also loved it - no pain at all from the stitches. Still fed the baby fine.