C section pain relief...can anyone advise?

[Willow4987]

I’ve got a planned c section in 3 weeks and I was hoping someone would be able to advise what sort of pain relief schedule I should be on when I get home?

For my first birth (forceps) the midwife said a combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen but I can’t remember what schedule she said. There was something about combining them together for one dose and then only one of them for the next but I can’t remember

Surely you’re doctor will tell you?

/ provide you with meds - since it’s surgery n all..

They've given/told me

Paracetamol 4x a day
Ibuprofen 3x a day
Dihydrocodeine to take at night
Tinzaparin injection once a day

Well done for thinking of this in advance. I didn't and it's day 4 and it's starting to occur to me I really need a schedule because I keep forgetting to take them, and it's grim.

provide you with meds - since it’s surgery n all..
Ha! Have you given birth on the NHS lately? My husband got some hardcore painkillers prescribed after he had his appendix out, but it is common practice to send a woman home with the advice to take paracetamol and ibuprofen for the pain (which you have to get over the counter, definitely not 'provided' for you) - even though a c section is more invasive surgery than a keyhole appendix removal.

Anyway to answer your question OP, I was told to take them both together at 6 hour intervals. Think I kept that up for about 10 days or so - before that I definitely felt it if I forgot a dose but things started to ease up after around 10 or so days. But your midwives will tell you if the advice has changed. Good luck :)

When I had my second c section 5 weeks ago I wasn't sent home with anything - had to stop off on the way home for ibruprofen and paracetamol. Hospital wouldn't discharge me on anything stronger.

I set alarms on my phone as it's really important to keep topped up. If you wait for the pain to tell you you need them than it really sets you back!

Varies by hospital I think. My most recent experience I was provided with oramorph to take alongside paracetamol and ibuprofen. They also put a suppository in whilst in theatre. First time I just had paracetamol and ibuprofen, I didn't know what else I could have so never asked so if you aren't offered anything stronger than OTC then ask.

If you're planning to breastfeed the strongest pain relief you can take is paracetamol and ibuprofen. I took both religiously for about 2-3 weeks post surgery and the pain was done, obviously more discomfort when moving/sitting up but otherwise manageable.

While in hospital they administered paracetamol via IV which they said provides faster relief but I can't say I noticed the difference.

Good luck!

Sent home two days after EMCS with advice to take paracetamol and ibuprofen, not give any meds at all. I’ve had two EMCS and it was the same each time

It is bloody barbaric

And you have a baby to care for!

You can take the four hours apart, so alternate them E.g. paracetamol then two hours later the ibuprofen and then two hours later the paracetamol again and repeat. Remember to stock up as nobody can buy more than 32 (or is it 16?) in one go.

even though a c section is more invasive surgery than a keyhole appendix removal

I found my c section way less painful than my laparoscopic appendectomy, though you’d think it would be the other way around. Maybe it’s because I was so over the moon, I don’t know, but the c section really wasn’t that bad.

@BonnieSeptember not true - I was provided with and sent home with oramorph alongside paracetamol and ibuprofen. EBF baby.

@thrree oh interesting to know! Maybe I misunderstood, I didn't ask for anything stronger so I suppose it never came up - good to know if I have another baby by section and need something stronger though!

You can also have dihydrocodeine if you bf. The hospital I was in (4 weeks ago) didn’t routinely send women home with it. But a dr prescribed it for me when I asked about stronger pain relief to go home with. You might not need it of course. But for me it was an absolute godsend and meant I could actually enjoy those early days/weeks a bit more. Good luck

I was given diclofenac and paracetamol

@BonnieSeptember 1st section I wasn't offered anything stronger than OTC and didn't feel I needed it. Second section in different hospital oramorph was given to everyone and now I'd say it's definitely worth asking for even if you feel like you're on top of the pain as it really kills the pain when sitting or standing up etc.

I was given blood thinning injections to administer myself. As for pills, I had diclofenac and dyhdracodeine to take with paracetamol. You'll be given instructions when your discharged x

Talk to your anaesthetist,at our hospital the anaesthetist have a set pain control regimen that continues post op and with meds for home.
Everyone is different but stock up on ibuprofen and paracetamol as you can only but 2 packs at a time from shops/pharmacy s and you won't be driving or walking far for the first few weeks.

Same experience here, paracetamol and ibuprofen as standard (this was fine for my first), but the 2nd I really struggled and was given oramorph too. You do have to be insistent and it’s sensible to think about it now. Good luck

Oh yeah and the blood thinning injections too for a week

Also ask for lactulose or similar and start taking it straight away - the first poo post c-section was absolutely horrific without it (1st time) - 2nd time I took it right from the start and it was so so much better!!!

I went home on day 3 and was given 10 Dihydrocodeine and 7 Fragmin injections. They said to take on a schedule so that you wouldn't be in pain so I did until day 7 then I Stopped the codeine as I felt it was making me woozy and just took the paracetamol/ibuprofen for another couple of days then stopped those to see how my pain was and i was totally fine so never took any after day 10 :)

@CeibaTree Yes! I had my appendix out (not keyhole) & was kept in for 4 days on morphine. CS sent home 24 hours later with paracetamol, bloody joke! I do think it depends on the trust though as you often see people on here saying they found their CS was a breeze but they were kept in longer &/or on stronger drugs.

Had mine 2wks ago and was told to take paracetamol and ibuprofen. They’re phasing out the use of codeine apparently, I got . It depends on your hospital. I got dyhdracodeine 4 years ago with my first, but my hospital no longer give that out unless you’re in dire need.

I’ve also got clexane (anti clotting) injections to give myself, 1 a day for 6 weeks. And they’re really painful!

I didn't know you could get anything stronger than paracetamol or Ibuprofen. My CS was semi elective but I much preferred my VB.

Thanks everyone! I’ll start stocking up now and try and get some reminders in my phone

Last time, it was only one of my midwives that by chance told me what to take (once id already been home 2 days) - most of them didn’t tell me anything so I’m just trying to be prepared this time as I’m expecting the pain to be worse

I’ve already stocked up on the lactulose so I’m all prepared for that! And the peppermint oil tablets and arnica tablets!

I’ve been taking tips off this forum for a while