Pain relief post birth while breastfeeding

[elliejjtiny]

Due DC4 in July, hoping to breastfeed.

DC1 - period like after pains, took paracetamol
DC2 - horrendous after pains, took paracetamol and begged midwife for decent drugs but apparantly nothing else is safe while breastfeeding
DC3 - different midwife said I could take ibuprofen and paracetamol. Took both back to back and pain manageable. Milk didn't come in until day 5 and baby lost weight (16%). Paed tutted at me and said it was because of the ibuprofen.
DC4 - another midwife cheerfully told me that afterpains with DC4 are usually similar to labour pains and paracetamol is the only thing you can take [terrified emoticon]

I've done one birth with no pain relief, one with minimal gas and air and one with loads of gas and air (back to back baby) in case I sound really pathetic. Is there any other pain killers I can take while breastfeeding? Surely mums having c-sections get more than paracetamol?

I was given co codamol after one of mine, but made me constipated. If you have it, make sure you drink plenty of water have lots of fried fruit or perhaps a gentle laxative (ask midwives for something suitable). I found the TENS machine really helpful in dealing with after pains.

For answers to any "drugs while breastfeeding" question log onto the breastfeeding network website. It fab.

I took cocodamol after ds 4. The after pains were awful, they took my breath away. Paracetamol didn't do a thing! I only needed them for about 48 hrs.

You do not sound pathetic. I delivered an 11lb baby at home with no pain relief, but I needed those co codamol after! I would have found it impossible to breast feed without them.

Thanks everyone. I can do pain quite well during the birth because I don't have to do anything else and I'll have DH attending to my every whim and offering encouragement. After the birth I'll be at least looking after the baby and probably helping dh with the others too so I need the drugs then!

I had dihydracodeine (sp?) and tramadol as well as ibuprofen after my section and I was BFing.

paracetamol, codeine, ibuprofen, diclofenac and/or morphine.

same here ^.

Shouldnt the medical establishement all be signing from same page rather than leaving women like OP at the MERCY of whatever the MW on the day/hour decides?