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Pregnancy

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Original poster

How much pain after c section?

46 replies

surreygirl1987 · 13/07/2020 22:02

Hello! I had my baby 2 days ago. Planned c section. Currently feeling like I've been run over by a truck. Was releases from hospital after just one night and am lucky to be looked after really well at home by my husband so haven't really done much other than potter round the house a little bit, walked round the garden, and fed the Baby. But I hurt so much! I was told to alternate Paracetomal and ibuprofen. Is this all we're allowed to take? (I'm breastfeeding if that makes a difference). How bad was recovery for those of you who have had a c section and was there a day that felt like a 2'turning point' for you or did it just slowly and steadily get better? I know I'm only 2 days post partum but I hate feeling like this so much and just want to know when I'll be feeling better! Getting up out of bed is the worst of all. Thanks :)

OP posts:

Fatted · 13/07/2020 22:05

I was still in the hospital for five days with my eldest and four days with my youngest on the tramadol.

I would ring the labour ward OP and tell them that you need better pain relief.

If you were a man who had had a major abdominal hernia operation, you would not be expected to go home with just over the counter pain killers two days afterwards.

LittlemissAWOL · 13/07/2020 22:08

I found the pain was managed by just those 2. I did get an infection which was much more painful than the actual surgery though. If the area around the wound is at all red or hot you need to get it looked at.

anguauberwaldironfoundersson · 13/07/2020 22:09

I was lucky and didn't really need anything stronger than paracetamol but they still sent me home with dihydracodeine!

PP is correct though. I was given stronger painkillers for my keyhole gallbladder removal (suppositories, codeine, etc) than I was for my csection.

anguauberwaldironfoundersson · 13/07/2020 22:11

Pressed send too soon!

Pain is relative/we all experience it differently and you sound like you need something stronger.

Definitely give them a call if you can or call your GP?

If you're breast feeding then you're limited to what you can take. If you're not then get over the counter cocodomol - it's the 8/500 with codeine and paracetamol. I think you can still alternate with ibuprofen (but please double check!)

Pukeymama · 13/07/2020 22:16

Congratulations on your new baby! 🥰 I stayed in hospital for two nights and was given regular oramorph, they then sent me home with paracetamol and it was hell. I phoned my GP who prescribed more oramorph which allowed me to actually be able to get off the sofa without thinking my insides would fall out. I only needed to take it for about 4 days but made those days a lot more bearable. I would definitely speak to you GP and ask for something stronger.

pinkgin85 · 13/07/2020 22:18

It takes about a week before you start to not feel much pain so hang in there. My midwifes gave me codeine when they discharged me but I got so constipated after DC1s emcs I decided to just see how I got on with ibuprofen. I managed without but honestly if you need something stronger you should get it. Just take it easy when getting up and sitting down too

FartingNora · 13/07/2020 22:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Brieminewine · 13/07/2020 22:25

I didn’t have much pain at all really but I was given dihyrdracodiene on discharge, normal codeine isn’t safe for breast feeding so you can’t take that. Call your GP and they’ll prescribe it over the phone.

Shopgirl1 · 13/07/2020 22:26

I was still in a lot of pain after 2 days. It was about a week until I was over the worst, still low on energy but over feeling like I was cut in half with every move!

firsttimemumma123 · 13/07/2020 22:26

I was also on codeine for about a week, it’s just what I was sent home with so I assumed everyone else got the same!

LH1987 · 13/07/2020 22:56

Hi, I found the pain was okay but the hospital gave me codeine, ibuprofen and paracetamol (all three at once) to take every 4 hours until I needed to stop. I dont think this was specific to me, I think it was just what they do.

I thought I was quite hardcore not feeling too much pain after the c sec but now i see that I was drugged to the hilt! I think you should try to get a prescription for codeine. Or at least take nurofen plus.

elliejjtiny · 13/07/2020 22:57

I stayed in hospital for 4 days with my 1st c-section (elective) and 8 days with my 2nd (emergency). I remember crying on day 3 at the thought of getting out of bed again. I asked for better painkillers and was told I could only have oramorph on day 1 and 2, after that it was just paracetamol and ibuprofen. It started getting better on about day 10 I think.

GirlCalledJames · 13/07/2020 23:00

I was in the hospital for 5 days and needed intravenous paracetamol for the first 3. The nurse said the pain gets stronger from 8pm and I found that to be true.
I felt much better around day 6.

MindyStClaire · 14/07/2020 03:27

My hospital sends everyone home with paracetamol and diclofenac as standard. I'm moving to paracetamol and ibuprofen tomorrow (day 7) and a little apprehensive, it definitely wouldn't have cut it for the first couple of days.

I noticed feeling a lot better overnight on the fourth night in comparison to the third. Other than that it's all been pretty gradual. Don't push yourself, you will get there. But definitely get better pain relief!

Louise0701 · 14/07/2020 03:33

You could ask your midwife for more pain relief. I was sent home with paracetamol, ibuprofen & dihydracodiene but was advised to take the latter only if needed as it can make you drowsy and have the same affect on baby if you’re breastfeeding. I remember being in agony for 2 days after my first csection but fine once home after the other 2.
Congratulations on your new baby!

hellololabells2019 · 14/07/2020 03:41

I've had three sections and used paracetamol and ibuprofen religiously as stated on the packet. I found it does work but you need to keep taking them. I think I did this for a week or so.

To get out of bed, roll onto your side and lower your legs down. I promise the pain does go.

user1493413286 · 14/07/2020 04:15

Run over by a truck is a good description; are you manning your paracetamol and ibroprufen so you’re never going too long without pain relief? You can call your GP to ask for stronger pain relief if you need it.
I felt that day 5 was a turning point where I started feeling better; do as little as possible and if it hurts then stop and don’t push yourself too hard. The furthest I walked on day 2 was to the car from the hospital ward then from sofa to the toilet; everything else was brought to me.
I propped myself up on loads on pillows including one under my knees so my tummy wasn’t pulling too much and to get out of bed roll onto your side and lower your legs carefully. You’ll feel better before you know it but don’t push yourself too hard

Pegase · 14/07/2020 04:42

I think day 2/3 were my worst where I wished for better pain relief- argued to be discharged after 24hrs do DH could look after me at home but that meant coming off the oramorph and dihydracodeine!

Didn't feel like death past day 3 but you must take the max doses of ibuprofen and paracetamol - set alarms on your phone!

And watch out for infection as pp said.

Falcon1 · 14/07/2020 11:11

You don't need to suffer - call your gp and they will prescribe better drugs. Paracetamol and ibuprofen did nothing for me.

Bluntness100 · 14/07/2020 11:18

I’m really surprised at this, I was in hospital for a month due to complications after mine, but I started off on intravenous diamorphine, I hated it, and kept asking them to remove it, but they didn’t wish to.

They did On about the third day because I refused to take it and then they moved me immediately to pain relief administered via rectal suppositories, and gave me other medication orally. It wasn’t I asked for it, more they Proactively said I needed it and I did.

I can’t imagine the pain if I’d just been on otc medication. Give your gp a call and get something stronger.

Original poster

surreygirl1987 · 14/07/2020 23:09

Thank you all very much! I rang the midwives at the hospital today and she said pstaveyomsl.amf ibuprofen is all I'm allowed. She said GP might prescribe me something stronger but that there are drawbacks with breastfeeding... Will ask but not holding out much hope! Hopefully will start feeling better anyway. Something made me laugh earlier and it made me feel like I was being split open- can't wait to not feel like this! Thanks all of you.

OP posts:

Monstamio · 15/07/2020 07:27

Call your GP today. There are definitely other painkillers you can take. After my c section, I was sent home with oramorph. After my forceps birth, the GP prescribed me diclofenac on day four when I was struggling (third degree tear). Both times I was exclusively breastfeeding. Congratulations on your baby and good luck... The pain does get better, but you don't need to suffer like this until it does

Lockdowners · 15/07/2020 07:34

I recall feeling 90% better about a week in. All pain gone about 3 weeks in.

userabcname · 15/07/2020 07:38

I breastfed and had dihydrocodeine so you can definitely have that. I took it 3 times a day alongside ibuprofen and paracetamol until day 5 when I realised I didn't really need it. Carried on with paracetamol and the odd ibuprofen until day 10 when I wasn't in pain anymore. Ring your GP and ask for something stronger! Congratulations on your baby

legalseagull · 15/07/2020 07:43

I was sent home with codine too. Call the maternity ward (you should still be under their care) and get some

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