Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

If you had a c section recently, what pain relief did they give you afterwards?

39 replies

HumphreyCobbler · 19/09/2013 12:30

And did it work?

I have realised that they no longer give codeine due to the risk that a woman may metabolize the drug quickly and it could get into breastmilk, thus affecting the baby. Does this mean no morphine afterwards as well?

I am anxious about this as my last two sections I did have codeine and voltorol and I still suffered a considerable amount of pain. I have been in incredible amounts of pain this time with severe spd for which I have only taken the odd paracetemol and I don't want to cope with more than I need to afterwards. I am fed up with hurting

Hopefully the alternative is just as effective?

OP posts:
Original poster
HumphreyCobbler · 19/09/2013 13:14

just a quick bump in case anyone is about

OP posts:
poppygolucky · 19/09/2013 14:45

Hi, just had a section on Monday and have had a paracetamol and diclofenic (sp?), with one or two codeine but have stopped that now as don't want it to bung me up!

Has it worked? Erm, day 2 was very sore indeed but with each subsequent day the pain is becoming more manageable.

Hope all goes well for you.

Original poster
HumphreyCobbler · 19/09/2013 14:47

thank you

congratulations on your new baby. SO they did give you codeine? Are you breastfeeding? They said I wouldn't be given it in that case.

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 19/09/2013 14:50

I had a cs 2 years ago and was prescribed co-dydramol. I didn't use it though as I didn't need pain relief. I know I was given a voltarol suppository and a morphine injection while still in theatre.

It must be pretty recent. You might find you don't need anything too strong. Apart from the stuff in theatre, I didn't use any drugs afterwards for either cs.

poppygolucky · 19/09/2013 14:52

Yes, breastfeeding and had codeine. Nothing been mentioned by midwives at all about it passing through milk to DS.

And thank you, he is completely gorgeous and worth all the pain!

yellowsnownoteatwillyou · 19/09/2013 14:53

I had a section 7 weeks ago, I was given paracetamol and voltarol.
I was breast feeding and it did take the pain away, however the first night I was in a lot of pain after stupidly jumping out of bed as my baby thru up on his face so was given liquid morphine.

MisselthwaiteManor · 19/09/2013 14:54

I was given morphine on the first day and then just paracetomol and ibuprofen which I didn't bother with after a couple of days as it didn't help and the pain wasn't unbearable. I was breastfeeding, but DD was fed donor milk to start with (I have no idea why, theres a whole other story there) so I think that's why I was given morphine.

plannedshock · 19/09/2013 14:55

Had one 5mths ago had paracetamol and ibuprofen, some women on the ward who had emergency sections had oral morphine everyone on the ward was breastfeeding whilst in there

FlamingGallah · 19/09/2013 14:56

I had codeine after my first section and it was great. Then after the second, the midwives wouldn't let me have it (for same reasons you stated), and I was in agony. Paracetamol and diclofenac didn't touch it, and I ended up needing regular oramorph.

When I mentioned it to the obstetrician and anaesthetists, they were fine about me having codeine, but said that some midwives are very anti.

For my third section 7 months ago, I mentioned my pain relief concerns and experiences to the doctors beforehand. They made sure that it was written up on my charts. I was given it no problem, and my postop experience was much better as a result.

There are very few hard and fasts in medicine, you'll find that the personal preferences and attitudes of healthcare professionals vary a lot as regards treatment. Personally if you've had a lot of pain before, I'd talk about those concerns with the anaesthetist and obstetrician before your section, and hopefully they can come up with a plan for pain relief afterwards.

Equally bear in mind that each section can be different, and you may not be in as much pain this time. I really liked the security of knowing that there was a decent backup plan though.

MissAntithetic · 19/09/2013 14:56

I had mine a year ago.

I had a voltarol (sp) suppository apparently whilst in surgery and paracetamol 4 hourly and diclofenic three times a day for a week. I didn't feel any pain at any time.

GingerBeerAndTinnedPeaches · 19/09/2013 14:59

I had one last year and they gave me morphine for 12 hours then no more than a gram of paracetamol every 8 hours after that. I am allergic to anti inflammatories so they had no choice. It was ok, as long as I took the paracetamol every 8 hours day and night. I used it for about a week post section, then occasionally as and when needed after that. Two weeks later there was very little pain as long as I didn't lift anything. I was fine driving.

Original poster
HumphreyCobbler · 19/09/2013 15:02

Thank you all.

I definitely needed the pain relief I was given in both my previous sections - I don't know if this was because my first was a very late stage emcs that went rather wrong? I found it very painful both times, despite the codeine!

I have had my appendix out and didn't need pain relief afterwards so I know it is possible not to hurt that much.

I think I particularly nervous due to the severe pain I am in now tbh. I am managing that without much help but it is grim.

OP posts:
shelley72 · 19/09/2013 15:06

Paracetamol and ibuprofen 12 weeks ago and quite frankly it wasn't enough. Was in far more pain than after my previous section only just easing now. Tho First section Was planned , this was emergency apparently that can make a difference. Breastfeeding both times.

Original poster
HumphreyCobbler · 19/09/2013 15:09

sorry to hear this shelley - this is what is worrying me about the situation.

after my last section, which was not problematic in any way, I felt like a horse had trodden on my stomach

OP posts:
Original poster
HumphreyCobbler · 19/09/2013 15:25

I will, thanks FlamingGallah. I have an appointment the day before. I know I am not a rapid metaboliser of codeine, like you it didn't affect my other children.

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 19/09/2013 15:32

Both of mine were emcs. First time round in particular it was v traumatic and followed an 8hr second stage, episiotomy, manual rotation, ventouse attempt and final emcs. Second time round was less traumatic but labour was still 38hrs all in. The fact that I didn't need any pain relief afterwards is sheer luck. My friend had an elective cs at the same time roughly and needed painkillers for about 12 days. Total luck but there is hope and there are no certainties about how you'll feel but you should feel reassured by the staff that you won't be left in unnecessary pain.

I do know that when prepping for the attempted vbac, the team asked all about pain relief afterwards and my choices for after a cs should another one be needed. I do think you'd feel much happier if you could have this chat with the hospital sooner rather than later. I know somebody who can't take various things who had a cs recently and used oramorph. There are definitely options.

PreciousPuddleduck · 19/09/2013 15:36

The codeine advice is very recent OP so many in here will have had co-codamol after delivery

Original poster
HumphreyCobbler · 19/09/2013 15:40

I will hope for the best SOH. And prepare for the worst.

I thought it must be recent Puddleduck. It has taken a long time to catch up, I remember reading about the issue before I had DD who is now four!

OP posts:
Original poster
HumphreyCobbler · 19/09/2013 15:41

gosh, you didn't half go through it with your first SOH. Mine was so late staqe they thought they had sewn my cervix into the wound, everything was paper thin. My surgeon friend says this is known as sewing a fart to a moonbeam I had a drain in for days.

OP posts:
fuckwittery · 19/09/2013 15:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

happyfrogger · 19/09/2013 15:47

CS yesterday. Regular paracetamol and ibroprofen. When it was bad in the night (late on drugs rounds) they did offer morphine with no comment on risks / breastfeeding.

Good luck!

ShowOfHands · 19/09/2013 15:49

Late stage sections are MUCH more traumatic. I know dd was wedged so hard and fast that during the cs, they pulled me down the table trying to get her back up and out. The surgeon was swearing and sweating. Poor DD had quite bad muscle damage and a very sore, bleeding and swollen head. I genuinely think I wasn't in much pain afterwards as I was still numb. I had to self inject blood thinners afterwards for 7 days and I genuinely couldn't feel the needle at all. I think the combination of drugs during the cs, the spinal and the shock of it all left my mid-section totally numb for a while.

Sounds like you had an awful recovery Humphrey and I think I understand completely why you're nervous. But pain relief which is adequate and safe should be a given. You deserve to feel confident at least in this aspect of it.

You say you're in pain now too? That can't be helping.

PoppyAmex · 19/09/2013 15:53

I had a csection in Scotland 17 months ago and had tramadol, which worked really well for me.

Having another c-section in a few weeks and didn't know about this recommendation. Thanks OP

Goatshavestrangeeyes · 19/09/2013 15:56

With ds in 2010 I was given codeine regularly as well as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

With dd2 last year I had one lot of oramorph and then paracetamol and ibuprofen only. I needed the oramorph as after breast feeding I let dd sleep on my chest and tummy. Big mistake.

Original poster
HumphreyCobbler · 19/09/2013 16:31

Thanks for your input everyone - and congratulations to all who have had babies recently.

I am in a lot of pain now and there is nothing I can do about it....possibly why I am stressing about this so much.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread