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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Elective c-section fears

19 replies

MissMoodyMoo · 19/11/2018 07:10

So obviously I'm terrified! First baby so first section which is needed on medical grounds. Anyway, I'm terrified about the pain after and the fact they will probably give me morphine afterwards. The problem is the last time I had morphine for 3 broken ribs a bruised lung and pancreatitis I hallucinatied which was terrifying!! Also it gave me awful loose stools 💩 so I'm wondering if anyone opted for different pain relief?

OP posts:

Ragwort · 19/11/2018 07:14

I had an EMCS so no time to prepare myself but had barely any pain at all, everyone is different. I didn’t need morphine just some mild pain killers. Easy to say but try not to worry, the pain/discomfort after a vaginal birth can be horrendous & 17 years later I am still so grateful for my CS. Good luck.

PS And I wasn’t young or fit, a rather overweight 43 year old when I had my child

ny20005 · 19/11/2018 07:14

I didn't have morphine after either of my sections.

I had epidural for first (emergency cs) & spinal block for planned one

I wasn't in a huge amount of pain on either & was up & out if bed within 7-10 hrs

Try not to worry & look forward to holding your lovely baby 😊

LorelaiRoryEmily · 19/11/2018 07:14

I had an emergency section 2 years ago. There was no mention of morphine for the pain afterwards. Difene suppositories and paracetamol while in hospital and oral difene and paracetamol after I went home. Worked great. I’m in the Republic of Ireland so I’m not sure if it’s different in other places.

ree348 · 19/11/2018 07:19

Hi,

I think they gave me tramadol, I don't think they give morphine anymore.

The pain for the first couple of days is hard but the painkillers they provide will cover it, also when the stitches come out which is a couple of days after you will feel a lot of relief.

Good luck with it all!

Cherulewis · 19/11/2018 07:23

With Ds1 they gave me a suppository which I knew nothing about - it was EMCS after failure to progress and I had been in labour for over 24 hours so was beyond exhausted. That time I had morphine.

Ds2 was ELCS, this time I realised when they put the suppository in (wince) but you don't feel anything. No morphine just strong ibuprofen and paracetamol.

I found the recovery after Ds1 a breeze because I only had 1 baby and Dh had 2 weeks paternity, then my Mum stepped in for week 3. They took care of me as well as the baby.

With Ds2 it was much more difficult because I had a baby and an almost 3 year old to take care of whose world had just been turned upside down. He was incredibly clingy to me which just made it all very tiring.

Raise concerns over the morphine with your midwife. It may be a standard policy not to provide it.

LiquoricePickle · 19/11/2018 07:23

I got the epidural and no further painkillers. Mine was EMC but I have a planned one for May. I know it's scary, but mine was really easy.

notsobumpy · 19/11/2018 07:31

I had dihydrocodeine after. Normally opiates make me very sick but I was fine on this.
They did offer oramorph as well if needed but I coped fine without.

PleaseLetMummySleep · 19/11/2018 07:42

I had an elective last year. Best decision ever! All my friends have hideous war tales of labour and emergency sections!

Prep a nice playlist on your phone - they'll play it in theatre. Relax, it's going to be lovely and chilled!

I was given morphine immediately after but it made me sick so I asked not to have it again and they gave me other pain killers.

Constipation afterwards is v common. Buy lactulose from the chemist to have at home on hand in case you need it. Xx

Cyclingforcake · 19/11/2018 07:51

I didn’t have morphine with either of mine but I do always prescribe oramorph as a back up option when I’m the anaesthetist. Talk to your anaesthetist about pain relief options but honestly most people do fine on paracetamol, ibuprofen and a bit of dihydrocodeine. The diamorphine they put in your spinal injection is great for the first 24 hours even after the numbness has worn off. Then you just need to take the simple stuff regularly.

I really recommend this book by Leigh East. It gives lots of information about Ceasateans that you won’t get in antenatal classes.
(Sorry for the Amazon link)
www.amazon.co.uk/Caesarean-Birth-Positive-Approach-Preparation/dp/0956848001?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Cyclingforcake · 19/11/2018 07:53

Oh yes - as a PP mentioned constipation afterwards can be a problem. As well as simple laxatives like lactulose, drink plenty of water and I also recommend fig juice!

BigRedBoat · 19/11/2018 07:56

I had an ELCS 2 weeks ago, I asked for some extra pain relief in the first few hours and they gave me oramorph but I probably could have coped without it, they were good about coming round with paracetamol and diclofenac in the hospital and I went home the next day. Not going to lie some things were pretty painful (getting in and out of bed, getting in the shower) but only for a few days. I can walk around fine now and can bend down again, the pain isn't completely gone yet but it's mild now and I'm just taking the odd paracetamol.

As long as you've got some one to help you at home - pass the baby to you, help you into the shower etc you'll be fine. I would say it's been a much nicer experience than a vaginal delivery! Good luck!

motheroftinydragons · 19/11/2018 08:20

I had a planned CS eleven weeks ago. I was given morphine (Oramorph) afterwards, but I asked for it becissenid had it after my first (natural) birth and didn't have any ill effects from it.

Try not to be scared, I know it's hard. My CS was 100% nicer and easier than my traumatic 'natural' birth. Recovery was easier too. I won't lie it was painful for a couple of days but I was walking and showering the next day with the morphine and home 48 hours after.

Take some massive knickers that go right up over your belly and stick a thick maternity pad to the inside of them to cushion your wound for a week or two. Really helps!

overagain · 19/11/2018 10:28

They tend to give morphine via spinal block. I had a vaginal delivery but had a spinal block for removal of the placenta. The morphine just made me itch.

Talk to them about it at your pre-op, I'll be asking for non-opiod pain relief this time (having a elective).

OutPinked · 19/11/2018 10:31

I had one three weeks ago today and it was by far the most positive birthing experience I’ve had after three vaginal deliveries (two of which went hugely wrong).

I wasn’t given morphine. The pain relief afterwards is fucking shit if you’re breastfeeding because you can’t have codeine so I was sent home with ibuprofen and paracetamol which didn’t touch the sides. The pain was bad for the first 4/5 days, I can’t lie. It’s different for everyone but I personally couldn’t get out of bed, onto or off the toilet, into the shower etc. DP had to do everything for me during those days, all I could do was sit and feed DS. I couldn’t physically lift my legs into the shower so DP had to shower me on the bathroom floor . One of the worst parts was the anti clotting injections you’re sent home with too, as if I wasn’t already in enough pain! They burn like hell...

Once the first few days had passed though, I was fine. I haven’t taken pain relief for about a week I’d say. I still feel a slight pulling sensation when I’ve overdone things but it’s nothing compared to those first few days. Also want to note I had A LOT of stitches with my first vaginal delivery and that pain was comparable to the c-section stitches so it wasn’t any tougher than recovering from that. In fact I’d say it was easier because my stitches didn’t burst open and get infected this time!

Roomba · 19/11/2018 10:36

I loved my elective section, it was brilliant! So calm and smooth, barely any pain afterwards - mind you I was comparing it to my rushed emergency section where my wound went all nasty and I was in agony. Take pain relief before you need it - you don't have to have morphine if you don't like it, I refused it and just had paracetamol and diclofenac which worked well for me. Lots of people worry about the spinal - I could feel my first one but it just felt odd, not painful. And I didn't even noticed he'd done it the second time, until my toes started to go warm and numb. That guy had a real talent for doing them!

My main advice is, walk as upright as you possibly can afterwards, even if it feels like your insides might fall out (they won't!). You'll recover much faster. But also, don't overdo things when you get home especially. Get plenty rest. Good luck!

Roomba · 19/11/2018 10:37

I didn't find the anti clotting injections burned? Maybe I was lucky. Nipped a bit but was done v quickly.

tablelegs · 19/11/2018 10:39

I didn't have any pain after my emergency. I spent the majority of my time visiting my child in SCBU and skipped pain meds.

It really was ok. I don't think morphine is routinely given for pain relief after a cesarean, I didn't get that. Speak to your consultant about your fears and they can talk through your options.

Sunshinegirl82 · 19/11/2018 11:17

I had an emcs 2.5 years ago. I didn't have anything stronger than paracetamol and ibuprofen (although there was a prescription for oramorph available for me if I needed it - I didn't).

It was painful for a few days but I managed fine and was able to function pretty well within a week. I'm now pregnant with DC2 and have opted for a section this time so it can't have been that bad!

ittakes2 · 19/11/2018 11:50

I had morphine after an emergency C and I wanted more! The morphine didn't touch the pain. I normally don't even take pain killers for period pain. But as I said, it was an emergency, plus I delivered twins and one of their placentas was bleeding so the Drs might have been in a rush. They certainly did a good job of ripping my stomach muscles! My hubby went pale and decided maybe he would change ends.Top tip - don't wait to go to the toilet once the catheter is out - I put it off all day and by then the pressure of my bladder against my wound was unbearable.

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