Pain relief after ELCS

[Tea1Sugar]

A few questions. It's not until April but I'm beyond crapping myself already...

1. what pain relief do you have immediately after the op?
2. does the anaesthetic make you puke/faint?
3. how long are you in recovery for?
4. what pain relief do you have on discharge?
5. just how heavy is the lochia? I presume you get lots of flooding from it pooling whilst laid horizontal.
6. anything else I should know?!

I was injected with lots of pain relief afterwards and had co codomol and ibuprofen back to back afterwards . No lochia as such . I was sick but they gave me an anti sickness a injection in my numb legs so no big deal... Yes it hurt but it was ok and I would still have it over my previous vaginal birth .. Have you spoken to anyone ? You can ask for a telephone appointment with an anaesthetist if you want .

My last CS was 4 years ago, so this may be out of date. While I was still in theatre, after delivery, I had an injection on each side around my hip, guided by ultrasound (or something). I was in recovery for quite a while, but I was unwell prior to the delivery, so probably was kept in for longer. With my first two, probably in recovery for an hour.

I had morphine via a drip for the first 12 or so hours, then cocodamol and paracetamol. I can't take ibuprofen. I came out on paracetamol for the first two and probably nothing for ds3, but we had been in for 8 days.

Stay on top of pain relief. Extra strong mints for the post c/s wind. I took spatone all through my last pregnancy and got DH to bring it into hospital for me to avoid taking iron tablets, which made me really constipated after Ds1.

I never had a huge amount of lochia. I always assumed they gave you a bit of a Hoover out, maybe? :)

I did feel faint in one delivery and they gave me an oxygen mask. Anaesthetics do make me nauseous sometimes, but they are good with anti emetics. As a pp said, you can speak to an anaesthetist beforehand if you want to.

Random thing - if you want to see your placenta put it in your birth plan and tell your OH. I have never been shown one of mine despite asking with ds3.

answers based on my experiences 3.9 and 1 year ago...

1. during the op you get a pain relief suppository, and I think an opiate in the spinal. You will get paracetamol, ibuprofen and oromorph (liquid morphine). The latter they will only give 1-2 doses of. The rest you can take for several weeks, though not sure if they effect BF (i FF). I stopped all painkillers after 1 week after my EMCS, and 2 days with my ELCS. Not because I'm brave, but because I didn't need them.
2. Nausea and sickness: common with an epidural as they reduce your blood pressure. Tell the anaesthetist, they can give you stuff to help. I never puked, but did feel very very sick (I have low blood pressure normally, 90/60 is about normal for me).
3. cannot remember how long I was in recovery. Maybe about an hr with my EMCS, then moved to the ward with the baby. My ELCS I was feeling pretty rough, the baby was in NICU, and I was the only one there. I ws there for a couple of hours being pampered with heated blankets while they tried to stabilise my BP. As I didn't have the baby with me I went to the antenatal ward rather than post natal. I really recommend it!
4. after discharge I had paracetamol and ibuprofen. see number 1 above.
5. Lochia. the gushing was more the result of your cervix not having opened. I don't really remember any heavy bleeding. the MW said they give you a good clear out during the CS, so all you get is bleeding from the site the placenta was attached, not lining etc.
6. anything else... well there's loads really. where to start? there are loads of threads on CS. I've never had a VB so have nothing to compare it to. It's major surgery, its not fun and it is sore after. But it's certainly not unbearable, I'm sure it's better than a VB and stitches etc. I felt worse after I had my wisdom teeth out! But then a baby is much nicer to take home than a pot with a few teeth in!

I am currently recovering from an ELCS which I had on Monday.
Intravenous Morphine was administered just after the Section and most of Monday was spent lying down (can't get up 12hrs after op). Which felt ok, and I was offered Paracetamol and ibruprofen for any extra pain relief required. (There is new guidance that now suggests Codine not to be given to Breastfeeding mothers) sadly that for me wasn't enough pain relief esp, when I was made to get up and move around this morning and go to the loo etc after catheter removal so I have been given Tramadol, which seems to be working much better, have a 3 day course of those and they can be taken alongside Paracetamol and ibruprofen.

I had mine at the lingo wing and had a mobile Eli for 4 days post op. Pretty much pain free! I had an emergency section at 33 weeks for pre eclampsia and didn't labour so had a pretty much pain free delivery. Feels very weird to be able to say that really.

Had my second CS 8 weeks ago and I'm an anaesthetic practitioner who regularly works in obstetrics, so I hope I can answer your questions! Have had a few glasses of wine tonight though!

Just before the op you will most likely have a combined spinal epidural (CSE) this is the injection in the back. I'll tell you now, it can feel really uncomfortable while they do it, like the anaesthetist has their entire thumb between your vertebrae and it can take a few attempts to get it in the right 'spot'. 50% of women get an electric shock feeling in their legs too for a few seconds, nothing to worry about. Although its a faff, it's definitely worth it.
The midwives generally try and scare patients to death by telling them epidurals are dodgy and really dangerous - not really true. If you want further information on any of the anaesthetic side of things PLEASE ask the anaesthetic team and NOT the midwives!!

Before the op starts you will be tested several times to make sure the anaesthetic has started to work. The nerves soak up the anaesthetic like a sponge. Some people soak it up instantly others can take up to 20 mins to 'cook'. It's a bit like a dimmer switch though, once it's started it just continues to get stronger until it reaches it peak.
You will feel parts of the operation ( not at all as scary as it sounds!) a CSE won't make you totally numb, but what you feel won't hurt. The best way I can describe it is somebody vigorously meaning bread dough on your tummy.

Towards the end you will probably be given intravenous (IV) paracetamol and a voltarol suppository (up the back passage)

Depending on the trust and how busy the wards are etc. you are usually in recovery for about 6 hours. Can be more or less depending on how well you are coping. Many patients feel as sick as a dog in recovery but you will have been prescribed anti sickness (anti emetic) drugs so make sure you ask for them if needed. Don't be shy and don't suffer in silence! If you need something ask! You should still be comfortable at this point from the CSE, but again if you are not you will have been prescribed more pain killers, so have them. There is absolutely no reason why you should be uncomfortable.

Back on the ward the standard combination of pain killers is co-dydramol and diclofenac. You may also be given tramadol or morphine if you really need it. What you will actually receive will of course depend on any relevant medical history, allergies etc. pain is also really subjective . Some women find the first two days awful others take it in their stride with just a bit of plain paracetamol. Dont listen to other womens horror stories! pain is also very psychological - if you think you will be ok, you will be ok! Do try and get up and walk around as soon as you can. It will be uncomfortable at first but it's very beneficial.

To go home with you will probably be given more co-dydramol and diclofenac. Take it if you need it, leave it if you don't. If you need more your GP can prescribe it.
You will be really quite uncomfortable for about 10 days. It ESSENTIAL that you get someone to help you for the first few weeks. You will not be able to lift anything heavier than your baby. No hoovering, no mowing the lawn and no driving for six weeks!

Again lochia is a different experience for every woman. Expect it to last a month (yes really!) can be shorter can be longer.

Hope this helped!

Please ignore my many spelling and grammatical mistakes! I am quite tipsy!

Fantastic advice and info given above!

Just to add - take everything offered and keep on top of pain meds. I had an emcs. 4 hours in recovery then helped to have a quick bed bath, wheeled to see DS in nicu then wheeled to a room.

Mistakes i made:

*didn't ask any questions - i was left in a side room with the full light on. Assumed this was to keep an eye on me - nope, they just forgot to then it off and i couldn't walk.

*keep on top of pain meds. I spent all day in nicu and missed my meds. I was crawling the walls on night 2 but thought that was normal and that i was being a wimp!

Good luck and congratulations!

I'll also add to answer no6

When you come to theatre, please for the love of God, don't come wearing fake tan!! We don't care how pasty you are, whether you have waxed shaved or anything! Fake tan is a really, really bad idea! Please don't wear any nail varnish or fake nails either. If you can bear to go make up free that is best. (You can always re-apply it back in recovery).
You'll be asked to remove jewellery and piercings and anything metal like hair clips, grips etc. best to leave these at home before you come in. Wedding rings have gotten lost on the wards before now.
When we say don't eat/drink before the op we really do mean this. It's not just about 'feeling sick' It really is very important that you are fasted.
Remember to drink lots of water and tons of fruit post op. it's so easy to become constipated after a CS and trust me, you definitely don't want that!
As soon as the midwife has checked the baby you can have skin to skin. There is no reason why you can't breast feed if you want to.

Definitely going to bed now. It's Christmas Day!

Wow - I had ELCS for my twins nearly 4 years ago and I didn't know most if this stuff so this thread has been enlightening!

Will just add to say I did feel sick and threw up once in recovery but after that was fine and only remember having paracetamol during the last few days in hospital, we were in for about 5 days.

Lochia - 6 weeks bleeding for me but I think it can go on for longer if you've had twins ??

Good luck OP
And merry Christmas

I had a canular in my hannd during hand which they kept puming morphine into, so much ( i kept asking for more) that i was sick everywhere bright green, after the op it took a few hours to get my legs back but i felt no pain, then by the time id got my legs i just had patacetomal and diklafenic(sp) which was perfectly ok.
My lochia was really light in hospital because i wasnt very active but i got home and the flood gates opened (nearlly nothing now though dd is 2 weeks old). Im not taking my meds now unless im achey as my scar doesnt hurt sometimes i just ache.

Fantastic advice thanks! I'm REALLY hospital phobic. I've had two abdo surgeries before. Second one was when my appendix was minutes from exploding and they still had to haul me to the theatre reluctantly. I'm hoping knowing what's coming will help me to prepare.

Oh, something I thought of.... It's so quick! My first CS they said "we're starting" and 2 minutes later DS1 was out and crying and after a quick wipe was on my chest under the gown. Honestly, by the time you realise that they're doing things to you, the baby's out. 2nd time is different of course.

The only thing i hated was the bloody epidural being put in, jesus! With my emcs i was out of it before it came to putting an epidural in but with ELCS i was straightheaded and felt the bloody thing. Its not painful just weird, once thats in the rest is a doddle.

Hi, I had my 3rd LSCS 2 weeks ago also had my tubes done this time.
I had a spinal which was great, seemed to feel less this time. No sickness at any point during or after this time. With the 1st my bp crashed at the time the epidural was topped up to LSCS level and the sickness was the worst feeling I have ever had in my life. I mentioned this both subsequent times and I think they avoided it for me.
Had a voltarol suppository each time which offers 18 hours of analgesia and is very effective. Wasn't' aware of it being given.
Had morphine IV also during section.
Recovery was in a room on delivery suite with a midwife popping in periodically to check on bp, baby, lochia etc but lovely private time with DH and dd, family able to come in within an hour and was amazing, really special. Assisted wash and pad change by midwife on a Delivery suite. Had dd at 5 pm was taken to the ward by 9.30 pm.
Catheter removed at 5.30 am. Up to toilet and shower by 9 am.
Offered ibuprofen and paracetamol for pain relief which was okay.
Able to walk down for lunch by lunchtime.
Went home 24 hours after delivery, couldn't see benefit of being there, DH offered more help than midwives in hospital tbh.
Home with paracetamol and ibuprofen which has been manageable even though tubes as well apparently is more painful.
Lochia was greatly reduced by 1 week. Maternity pads. For 1 week now just heavy duty sanitary pads with wings, bleeding comes and goes.
My best tips: husbands underpants....obviously I bought him new ones but they are perfect for post CS as hold pad in, don't rub wound, ideal for holding a large pad horizontally over the wound as needed to keep it dry when a bit weepy.
Keep on top of pain relief, soon know if forget.
Do not get constipated if you can help it, drink gallons of water and normal diet as soon as able to.
Oh and midwives won't scare you about epidurals being dodgy and dangerous, they work with them day in day out, what rubbish and a gross generalisation.
You will see the anaesthetist, one of the consultant team and a midwife from the ward at least a day before a scheduled LSCS so will have chance to ask these questions and clarify any queries.
The teams that do the sections are usually a dedicated, regular experienced group and very reassuring and good at what they do.
HTH

Ah yes i also had a soppository, that mustve been quite strong cos i felt brilliant

Really no hoovering or driving for 6 weeks?? Holy cow!

ELC was a billion times better than labour.

I felt faint when then did something I cant remeber what it was, but they warn you it will probably happen and they know how to fix it in seconds...

My lochia was fine much less tan 1st labour however, 1st period was awful.

DO take pain killers home if you are offered, even if you think you dont need, so much easier to have them there in case you need them, than trying to get them if you do later.

Driving for 6 weeks is like them saying at the post office you wont get your passport for 6 weeks - thats the absolute outside time limit to stop you coming back in to keep asking for it, in reality you usually get your passport alot quicker.

most people on here seem to be driving after two and three weeks on wards.

some insurance companies care, most dont give a crap about being signed off and wonder whty you are calling them!

The driving depends on your insurance company. As said previously some insurance companies aren't specific. They said to me that as soon as GP said I was fit to drive then that was fine with them. I rang GP and they asked if I felt capable of doing an emergency stop, I said yes, definitely able. GP happy with this so driving within weeks.
I would check with GP so it is recorded on records just in case. Really not necessary to wait 6 weeks unless you are specifically told that by insurance company.

Although the six week 'ban' does have a lot to do with insurance and in many ways is a lot to do with covering our arses there is a medical perspective on this too. A CS is a major operation involving several layers and muscle groups. It takes a long time to heal and although You may be capable of doing an emergency stop, the pressure of the lap belt on an unhealed uterus during such a manouver or impact can be very, very damaging. That said it would be just the same if you were a passenger in a car that had to stop suddenly.
I drove after two weeks, as do most women. Just be aware of the risks.