Pain relief after c-section

[cheesebubble]

Hello, I was very much hoping for a VBAC but I'm 34 weeks and this baby is transverse still (first one was as well up they cut him out at 39 weeks), so I will have my 36 week scan in 2 1/2 and if he's still transverse, I will book my c-section. We tried ECV with my first at 38 weeks and it was quite traumatic for me, so I wouldn't even consider it this time.

For my first planned section I was out within 30h after baby was born and I don't know what painkillers they gave me at the hospital but that kept it at bay, I was in so much pain for the following 4 days, the nights were the worst.

What can I ask for to be given for when we get home? I cannot bear the thought of living on paracetamol and ibuprofen only again 😓 I will be exclusively breastfeeding, so not sure if this will limit my options.

Bumping - just because it's been on my mind and causing a lot of anxiety x

Sorry OP not got any advice as just turned 31 weeks with my first! Just wanted to bump for you, I'm sure someone will come along soon x

Can’t advise on meds to ask for but just to say I had a failed VBAC (never went into labour) and I recovered much more quickly second time around. I was driving after 10 days!

I had ibuprofen and paracetamol only I'm afraid, I don't think there's much else you can have when breastfeeding. That said I didn't experience much pain and that's despite also having a cystectomy at the same time so you might find it's not as bad this time? Did you make sure to take your ibuprofen regularly even when you weren't in pain? It's better at preventing inflammation than reducing it.

I was given dihydracodiene alongside paracetamol & ibuprofen. Safe in breastfeeding and a fantastic painkiller. As long as I took painkillers regularly I was fine

No I tell a lie! Just went back and checked my diary and I had diclofenac for the first 5 days, not ibuprofen. I remember it worked really well - I called them my big yellow happy pills!

I had paracetamol and diclofenac(?). Didn't feel a twinge tbh, and I'm not the best patient.

One of the key things is to take the painkillers before you need them, so either task your DP with giving you your meds (DH did mine) at defined intervals or organise your pills for the day and set an alarm on your phone. If you do that you'll be one step ahead of the pain.

It’s absolutely not true that you can’t have much more than paracetamol & ibuprofen when breastfeeding. in my trust you get 2 hefty doses of slow release morphine as standard plus oramorph/ dihydrocodeine/ tramadol as required. There’s no need to suffer with inadequate pain relief!

I had some breastfeeding safe codiene and paracetamol and ibuprofen.
I took my own paracetamol and ibuprofen in with me and self administered, midwives were completely fine with me doing it. It meant I got the doses when I needed them, rather than waiting for drugs round or buzzing and waiting for them to bring it, which can be delayed if they’re busy. I kept the times I gave myself the doses on a piece of paper so I could work out timing between doses and make sure I didn’t take too many.

Thank you everyone.

@choosername1234 thank you, I noted this one down.

@peachgreen it was the first 5-6 days which were the toughest for me, so that would make sense, thanks.

@TheCraicDealer I have the most organised husband in the world, every feed, every poo including colour and nappy change was written down for the first 2-3 weeks, and painkillers were given in Intervalls but paracetamol and ibuprofen just wasn't strong enough for me, so noted down diclofenac.

@orpah I beliehe they gave me the morphine in the hospital but I have no way of checking this but that's why I felt so comfortable going home (I believe), only to wake up to a total nightmare. I have written down oramorph as that sounds like what I need.

Just to add, I now have a 2 1/2 year old running about who is very energetic and never stops which won't make things easier haha! Maybe baby turns as well and no section will be required.

I had two sections, and wasn’t in pain. I’m trying to remember what they gave me... the first time they sent me home with a pack of Co-Codamol and maybe something else - diclofenic rings a bell. Only 3-4 days’ worth.

The second time, I was kept in hospital for a week as DS2 had an infection, so I can’t remember what medication they gave me.

Was never in pain, though.

@ThatOtherPoster sounds like a dream re the pain, that's what I would like as I remember it being awful for me, balling my eyes out in the middle of the night because it was excruciating.

I'm sorry about your DS having an infection, must be so tough when they've just entered the world and are already not well 😓

Make sure they give you meds/prescription before you leave and keep on top of it

I remember it being awful for me, balling my eyes out in the middle of the night because it was excruciating.

The only time I had pain like this was in about the 3rd or 4th night when I got awful, awful trapped wind. I thought I was dying! It’s quite common with abdominal surgery - could it have been that? It wasn’t like “trapped fart” twinges, it was an intense, mind-blowing, twisty, agonising pain.

It may well be different this time round. I had some dihydrocodeine to take home, but apart from after pains and some gas pain, I didn't ever have pain. I did religiously take my painkillers on a schedule though, just in case. I was back doing normal things within 3-4 days and pretty much recovered by a week.