Painkillers after birth, necessary?

[witchy89]

Hi guys, I am due at the end of February and have seen a few people mention stocking up on painkillers for afterwards. Assuming I don't tear or have any other 'damage' down there how likely is it that I will need painkillers? I don't really like taking drugs and I have never responded to Paracetamol, I usually have to take ibuprofen or codeine. I will hopefully be breastfeeding and would like to avoid having to take anything if possible. I obviously have NO idea what to expect. For perspective, I normally get HORRIFIC period pains and will normally have to take ibuprofen for at least the first day when I come on if I want to function normally!

I had an EMCS with DS1 and my local Trust’s policy is not to give anything stronger than ibuprofen and paracetamol after 48 hours post birth. I didn’t know any better at the time, so accepted this. The after pains I got for a fortnight post partum were way worse than the pain from the c section. So I would recommend that you stock up on over the counter pain relief just in case you need it.

When i was pregnant with DS2, I had it written into my notes that I was to be prescribed further pain relief before I would be discharged. I ended up with an EMCS with him too, and he was much bigger, but the after pains were nowhere near as bad. Better to be prepared!

Cross post with sugar.

I didn't have any painkillers. I had no pain relief either.

Not because I thought I shouldn't. Just because drugs make me sick an Di had one puffof entinox and it made me nauseous

The only thing with paracetamol/ibuprofen is that most places have restrictions on how much you can buy at once. My
Partner was on regular paracetamol/ibu recently and 2 packs of 16 paracetamols would only last a few days, so maybe the stocking up is more remembering to buy some regularly so as to have a week's supply to hand when you might not feel like popping out.

On pain relief I was given dihydrocodeine as an inpatient after delivery, as well as paracetamol and ibuprofen on a schedule (brutal rotational forceps delivery, 3C tear) I didn't ask for it, TBH I didn't even know what I was taking for a day or so! I stopped the dihydrocodeine as soon as I was allowed as it makes you constipated - last thing you need! I seem to recall I was given paracetamol as one of the medicines to take home on discharge.

I think i would go with having some paracetamol and ibuprofen in stock just in case.

I didn't use any and I had tears but I generally don't take painkillers and have quite a high pain threashold, I only had a bit of gas and air through the birth.

The most painful bit for me was using the toilet after as it would sting but everyone is different. Hopefully you will sail through and be fine after, I would get some in just be safe but I wouldn't go filling the cupboards 😀😀 congrats 💐

I had episiotomy and alternated taking ibuprofen and paracetemol for about a week post birth.

Episiotomy and instrumental here. The hospital sent me hope with some strong stuff as well as paracetamol and ibroprofen so I wouldn’t stock up unless your hospital has a policy of not issuing painkillers as standard

My hospital sent me home with sweet f-all, I'm amazed they gave you ibuprofen and paracetamol which are medicines most people should have in the cupboard anyway.

I hardly ever take painkillers. I had a natural delivery but did tear and had stitches. Because I don't normally take painkillers it never crosses my mind until someone suggests it.
I really, really wish I had bought a baby swim ring to sit on because it was awful to sit, but also awful to stand because it felt like my lady garden area was filled with lead and flapping about painfully, also I bought arnica oil to bathe in and arnica tablets, I found the cheapest pads (think oblong thick pads with non of the plastic gauze stuff) the best because my stitches got stuck on the plastic gauze (like always etc) and it stung like buggery when I stood up and the dried on stitches tore off the gauze.
I really do wish I'd had some breastfeeding safe painkillers too though just to help things along, it couldn't of hurt could it really when you're dealing with the above on barely a flicker of sleep, sore boobs, saggy belly, uncontrollable farts, emotional rollercoaster and an inconsolable fear of 'the first poop' you do - wondering if you're about to re-tear your recently stitched nether regions.

I would advise you have a number of packs of paracetamol and ibuprofen handy and hidden from your DP so he can’t take them all for random headaches so you have none. This is coming from someone who barely ever takes painkillers.

I was taking maximum dose of paracetamol and ibuprofen every day for at least two weeks after giving birth.
I spent three hours pushing with a back to back baby, then enteded up with rotational forceps, episiotomy and a tear. My back was in agony from pushing and I could barely move.

The last thing you want is to get discharged after the shops have closed and then having to go out first thing to get more painkillers. I’m my case it snowed so some of the shops didn’t have any!

I had a drug free water birth and needed opioid pain relief post-delivery as I was so battered and bruised.