C-section essentials and pain relief if breast feeding

[Damsons]

Hi!

I am packing my bag for my c-section. I have seen a few threads with good tips but just wanted to ask some questions-

• What arnica do i need to buy? Did you start taking it before the section aswell or just after
• whats the best thing for trapped wind because i dont physically think i can bring myself to drink peppermint tea....
• What pain relief did you get offered if you were trying to breastfeed? Im not fully decided on what to do as I would like to pump and i also have formula to take to hospital. However im worried if i choose to breast feed i will only be offered paracetamol?

Thanks !

Hello, unexpected c-section here. Didn't take any arnica, and didn't get anything for wind. Very luckily recovery was actually very smooth and I didn't struggle despite not having those.
I automatically received tramadol and they helped get baby on the breast before we'd even left the recovery room. Once he was on he hardly came off!
they gave me some tramadol to take home too, but did talk to me about the risks of taking it if I planned to co-sleep. I decided not to take it once home as the pain was manageable, tbh you're on such a high from birth the adrenaline keeps you going.

things that helped - high waisted knickers, you don't want anything anywhere near your scar. Nightwear that buttons down to breast feed easier.
cushion/pillow for the journey home, hold it against you, or if you can avoid routes with Speed bumps 😩😩

Hi, another unexpected c section here too! I definitely recommend the Lanolin nipple cream for when you start breastfeeding. I also second the PP above with the high waisted knickers, and the pillow!

Third unexpected C-section here!

Never took arnica (forgot about it's purpose until just now), and was fortunate enough to not have any trapped wind. I think I would have suffered through it rather than drink peppermint tea.

Everything the hospital gives you is safe for breastfeeding. I had the diclofenac suppository post surgery, then alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Re. pain relief - paracetamol, ibuprofen and dihydrocodeine +/ morphine if necessary are fairly standard, depending on allergies/other medical/pregnancy related problems etc. Some women don’t need all of that, some women do. HTH.