How much pain after c section?

[surreygirl1987]

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 :)

[Lauren83]

My first was an EMCS and I had no pain relief once I was back on the ward (their cock up) and was out after 24 hours, pottering about ok the day after and having a wander around our village on day 3, I did struggle going from lying down to sitting up though for a week. Second section the year after was an ELCS and the first 24/48 hours were much worse and it was about day 4/5 until I felt better

[surreygirl1987]

@leslieYep good point! Though I'm not planning on going on any 3km walks (madness!) ... I'll settle for being able to get up without feeling like I need to bite down on something! 😁

@totallyenso that's awful!! Poor you!

Good news is GP rang back and prescribed me something stronger. Can't remember what it's called... think it begins with t. A he seemed very reluctant to prescribe anything though and asked me if I'd had anything stronger in hospital then told me she wasn't prescribing much so just to take as little as possible only when I need it! Ahe did say it's low dose enough not to be q concern for breastfeeding though so I'm a bit confused about that. But just relieved that I'll have something! Thanks again for all your help ... and massive respect for all of you for getting though the section pain!!!

[totallyyesno]

Unbelievable to hear some people didn't even get stronger pain relief in hospital!
For the first day I didn't actually get any pain relief in hospital! There was a misunderstanding and I thought the drip I was on was pain relief and it was actually saline and I was meant to ask if I wanted anything!

[totallyyesno]

I was only given paracetamol but found it really helped to move about. The worst bit was getting out of bed but once I was up it wasn't too bad. I hope you feel better soon!

[LeslieYep]

I had 2 csecs and paracetamol and ibuprofen to alternate. The first 5 days I could feel when I was due the next dose, then it really eased up.

My friend was given much stronger drugs (forget exactly) and did a 3k walk about 3 DAYS after her section! She definitely slowed her recovery down, so I realise now there's a reason for not getting the 'best' pain relief, otherwise you could do some mischief.

[Pegase]

Unbelievable to hear some people didn't even get stronger pain relief in hospital! All the C section people were allowed dihydrocodeine and morphine if needed when I had mine last month- meds trolley coming round was like your birthday! And all breastfeeding.

The stronger painkillers aren't good for your digestion though so take lactulose!

[Quackersandcheese3]

I breastfed and was given stronger painkillers. Hope you feel better soon .

[Yorkshirepudding1987]

I was sent home with dihydrocodiene and also had paracetamol and ibuprofen. Took them regularly for a week so the lain never became too much.

I breastfed as well whilst taking the dihydrocodiene.

You shouldn't be left in agony!

[TokyoSushi]

My sympathy, it is sore! I'd call the GP, it sounds like you need a stronger painkiller and there will be something that they can prescribe. Hang in there, it's worst for about a week and much, much better by about day 10.

[surreygirl1987]

Thanks. Your messages have definitely made me feel a lot better and less of a wimp!! I rang GP and got put on the waiting list for a call so hopefully I'll get something... and feel less awful soon!

@Brandaris your bit about your husband getting stronger pain relief when he twisted his ankle made me laugh! (Ouch) 😁 You are so right!! Major abdominal surgery, breastfeeding pain, post c section injections, post birth uterine contractions and sleep deprivation... all in one go... my little box of Paracetomal now looks like a mean joke 🙈

[MsMiaWallace]

My baby is now 3 weeks old now.
I had elective c section & came out of hospital on day 4.
I was honestly shell shocked by the pain & i am normally very good with pain.
Last birth was normal delivery, big baby & I had no pain relief!!
I found it odd that hospital were giving the same pain relief to ladies that had vaginal births than those of c sections.
They gave me nothing to come home with either.
I sent DH out for Co Codemol which helped more than paracetamol.
I had to take pain relief for the first 10 days religiously, as in counting down the time till I could take more.
This became less. By 2 weeks I didn't need any. Now I feel much better!!

[mishmash13]

I hope you manage to get some better meds OP. I was in so so much pain after my 2nd section (1st painful but not as bad) and midwives insisted I was only 'allowed' paracetamol and ibuprofen despite the fact that the previous section at the same hospital I was also given dyhydrocodeine. I was crying in pain and inching to the toilet in agony and basically scolded for asking for more pain relief whilst also breastfeeding.
On reflection now it seems barbaric and infantalising. I can't imagine any surgical ward where stomach surgery occurs and the only painkiller is paracetamol. I wish I'd kicked up more of a fuss but I was in too much pain to form a coherent argument! First couple of days were terrible. Took about a week to feel better.

[Shelby30]

The first few days are horrific but within the week you will be feeling so much better.

You should have been sent home with stronger pain killers. Think it was codeine I was given.

First section I was in hospital 5 days they never told me I cld have anything stronger until I was crying with the pain.

Second time round I think the pain was worse. It got a bit better at day 5. What I wld also advise if when you start feeling better do not attempt to do some laundry etc as this will set you back.

[surreygirl1987]

Oh my goodness! From the replies here I feel like a bit of a fool to have just accepted what the midwives said. My boxes of Tesco Ibuprofen and Paracetomal do seem a but ridiculous now!! Will call GP right now and ask. The thing is I'm not sure how much pain is too much. It hurts like hell but I can get up and go to the bathroom and fetch snacks (at arm level) and I wandered to the end of the garden and back a couple of times today (small garden). So I am kind of mobile though every time I go from sitting to standing is agony. Pain is so subjective and relative I just don't know what is expected! Thank goodness my husband is around and waiting on me hand and foot. Thanks for all the advice- genuinely genuinely appreciate it. Will see what GP says now...

[Brandaris]

It just occurred to me that my DH twisted his ankle badly and was given stronger pain relief than you have after you’ve had major abdominal surgery.

I have an elective c sec booked for this pregnancy, I’m going to be checking at my next appointment they’re not planning to send me home with just paracetamol and ibuprofen! It’s a bit barbaric when you think about it.

hope you get it sorted soon!

[RenegadeMrs]

Congratulations on your new arrival!

I'm now 15 days post c section, and discharged from hospital after one night like you. They sent me home with patacetamol and 5 days of a stronger painkiller (sorry I've binned the box and can't remember what it was). I nerded I ibuprofen about 2 more days after that and haven't needed anything at all for the past 3 days. I am breast feeding too. I am very surprised your hospital didn't give you anything stronger and are insisting you can't have anything else. I would contact your gp if you are not getting anywhere with the hospital.

[Oblomov20]

I was on diclofenac and paracetamol. For more than a week. I thought that was standard.
Please phone someone op, this is a disgrace that you've been forced to endure so much pain unnecessarily.

[Brandaris]

Call your GP but also please complain about the advice the midwife gave you. As pp above said, she shouldn’t be trying to get you to just accept pain as you really don’t need to, not even when breastfeeding.

Hope you are feeling better soon. I cried in agony on about day 4 but I was still in hospital so they gave me something stronger when they saw I couldn’t cope!

[Glitterheart]

After my two sections I was surprised by the pain around days 2-3. But by around day 5 things were much better - hang in there, it’s not like this for long! Congratulations on your baby!

[THNG5]

Pain is definitely relative but I managed on just paracetamol and ibuprofen (back home after 24 hours) with my second. The first 5 days are the worst bit but the end of the week, I found that the worst was over. Definitely keep moving though as it does really help!
I would call your gp though if you're in too much pain.

[Bluntness100]

I just don’t understand some midwives, this one has a patient in pain and did fuck all to help. She should simply have said “I can’t prescribe anything but please speak to your gp and explain you’re breastfeeding so that they prescribe the right medication, you don’t need to be in pain” not that’s all you’re allowed and your gp might be able to help but doubtful as you’re breastfeeding,

Breastfeeding is hard enough without midwives making out you have to stay in pain after a c section because of it.

Seriously I think there should be a test medical professionals need to take asking “ are you a bit cunty and lacking in empathy” and if they answer yes, then they should be banned from the profession.

[legalseagull]

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

[userabcname]

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

[Lockdowners]

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

[Monstamio]

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