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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Painkillers after section, what did they give you?

52 replies

wingingit33 · 16/01/2022 16:50

I'm due my second section in 5/6 weeks. Last time I was given diclofenac in hospital and when out my husband was able to buy it as Voltatarol over the counter. But seems the tablet form has been discontinued? I can't take codeine based painkillers as already struggle with constipation. What were you given?

OP posts:
GiltEdges · 16/01/2022 17:24

I was discharged with a couple of weeks worth of dihydracodeine, but didn't need anything after the first 5 days.

Sprogonthetyne · 16/01/2022 17:48

After the first (emergency) section I was discharged with dihydrocodeine, but only took a few because they made me drowsy. For the second (elective) I only needed paracetamol and ibuprofen, even though they offered something stronger.

I alternated the paracetamol and ibuprofen, and took one of them every 3 hours so each dose took affect before the last wore off, and I had 4 doses of each in 24h.

TH22 · 16/01/2022 17:49

I was offered oramorph to come home with. Delightful stuff.

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 16/01/2022 17:53

Dihydrocodeine as I can't take ibuprofen and I was told dihydrocodeine was safe to take while bf.

MajorCarolDanvers · 16/01/2022 17:55

Cocodomol and diclofenic.

onwardsandupwards22 · 16/01/2022 17:56

Tramadol and paracetamol

MajorCarolDanvers · 16/01/2022 17:59

And oramorph in hospital.

DizzySquirrel90 · 16/01/2022 17:59

Diclofenac only

YuleiamsaidI · 16/01/2022 17:59

I was supposed to have diclofenac and paracetamol but as they didn't have diclofenac on the ward they made me go without,dont know if it was worse because I was sterilized at the same time but I was in agony,couldn't wait to get home on day 2 so could ask my dr for more powerful painkillers

rainbowplease · 16/01/2022 18:01

Oramorph is what you need to ask for - safe if bf. Only had paracetamol with my first. Different hospital for my second and everyone was given paracetamol, ibuprofen and oramorph to self manage.

Ohshitiveturnedintomymother · 16/01/2022 18:02

Oramorph twice in hospital and then sent home to take paracetamol and ibuprofen from my own stash. Please don’t expect to be given over the counter meds to take home, they are pennies in the shops

KatieKat88 · 16/01/2022 18:03

@Ftumch

Paracetamol and ibuprofen and oramorph in hospital, I wasn't sent home with anything, but told to take paracetamol and ibuprofen at home.
Same here, that was fine. Had oramorph maybe 2/3 times in 24-48 hours afterwards? It's all a bit of a blur (presumably down to lack of sleep and the shock rather than down to the oramorph Grin) was fine on paracetamol and ibuprofen after that.
bonetiredwithtwins · 16/01/2022 18:04

I Managed on just paracetamol

Rrrob · 16/01/2022 18:04

Dihydrocodeine and the constipation was horrendous. I didn’t realise until this thread that codeine based pain killers make it worse!

ArtfulScreamer · 16/01/2022 18:13

@littledinokitty

I was discharged with 10 days worth of dihydracodeine and told to also take paracetamol and ibuprofen. I was also given a bottle of lactulose to take for 10 days.
I was discharged with the exact same but to be honest I didn't really use the dihydracodeine after the first few days, I did however use the lactulose without fail and increased my dose after the first couple of days, post partum/emcs constipation is unsurprisingly not fun.
Waitwhat23 · 16/01/2022 18:17

Liquid morphine and tramadol in the hospital. Got tramadol to take home but was under strict instructions to wean myself off ASAP as it can be addictive. Had been told to buy paracetamol and ibuprofen beforehand.

Autumncoming · 16/01/2022 18:19

Codeine but took strong laxatives (laxido) which you can get over the counter and was totally fine.

Beowulfthethird · 16/01/2022 18:21

I was given tramadol. I don't remember much about it.

Beowulfthethird · 16/01/2022 18:21

I ate oranges morning and night and had a perfect bowel movement.

stuntbubbles · 16/01/2022 18:22

What felt like shitloads of morphine but was probably the correct amount. I was definitely off my tits with something though, perhaps sleep deprivation. Paracetamol and ibuprofen too.

ThursdayLastWeek · 16/01/2022 18:23

I was discharged and told to take paracetamol - I don’t think they gave me any.

After a couple of days I was struggling so I call my GP and they prescribed me some codeine and senna!

Motherland101 · 16/01/2022 19:55

Paracetamol, both IV and orally. As well as ibuprofen orally. I was offered morphine when I said I was in pain but decided to turn it down as it was manageable. I alternated paracetamol and ibuprofen 2 hourly at home for 5-6 days before gradually started to reduce it.

Hm2020 · 16/01/2022 21:35

I had Iv fentanyl as had a bad reaction to the morphine.

della2404 · 17/01/2022 15:08

Following this with interest but just wondering how quickly were you all sent home? Planned section in a week with first baby....

MajorCarolDanvers · 17/01/2022 17:41

@della2404

Following this with interest but just wondering how quickly were you all sent home? Planned section in a week with first baby....
5 days after first, 10 days after second.

Second was due to post op complications.