Hospital gives only paracetamol+ibuprofen for C-section recovery?!???!

[Scaredmama1023]

I just learnt that my hospital only gives paracetamol and ibuprofen after C-section :(. And for anything else you need to ask and ad-hoc they might give morphine if doctor agrees...

They are such weak medication, I take those for headaches and period pains. To think that's what you get after being literally cut open and stitched back?!?!?! I though I'll be sick hearing this.

I'm panicking, not sure how I'll stick the pain of my C-section recovery. I'm a massive wimp when it comes to pain :(

Ladies... how bad is the pain in like on 1-10 scale where 10 is absolute agony? I guess it changes by day too? And then there is this shoulder tip pain and all. Jeez how did you all cope????

First of all, yes, it is ridiculous that c-sections are treated as more minor than other serious surgeries.

second, to assuage your fears, I had my C-section with no pain meds whatsoever. Because of a strong history of bad reactions to anesthesia and pain medication, I didn’t even have the normal cocktail of drugs during the surgery. I worked with anesthesia and they developed a plan to use numbing meds only that started wearing off within minutes of the surgery ending. I was fully ambulatory within an hour. The pain was intense, but I have had much worse pain. Most of that worse pain came with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, but since that happened to me before I had my child, it really put things in perspective.

My doctor kept checking on me afterwards and asking if I was sure I didn’t want to risk drugs. He was willing to give me pretty much anything because my scar tip was much more invasive than an average procedure. I managed though. It was more the weakness than the pain that was difficult. I knew from past surgeries that I would feel worse if I took the drugs because my body is just wired oddly. Pain is better than pain plus projectile vomiting and my entire body shaking while medical staff hold down my limbs.

@Scaredmama1023 I’ve had 3 sections at st T, the most recent was 6 months ago, and an emcs at another hospital. I was given diahydrocodeine (sp?) in hospital a couple of times, and then ibuprofen and paracetamol.

The pain was manageable, but you need to stay on top of meds. Even if you feel ok, I would still take them at the regular intervals and buy for at home as they won’t prescribe for you.

I didn’t have a c section but ended up having surgery anyway as I had a retained placenta. They gave me oramorph when I asked for it which was helpful.

Do you definitely need a c section or are you just preparing in case?

Yes - I had just paracetamol and ibuprofen after both sections. It was fine as long as I took it on time every few hours. I still find it crazy that it’s all you get given and I was home 24hrs later - Whilst other people I know having minor surgery get longer stays and more pain relief!

Agree with everyone else - it’s totally fine!

First time had one dose of morphine but then just paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Second time around only had paracetamol and ibuprofen.

I was just given paracetamol and ibuprofen after my c-section and I was really very very sore for the first week or two, especially when I needed to move around.

In contrast I had some minor keyhole surgery a few years ago, which was hardly painful at all compared to the c-section, and I got sent home with morphine after that. I ended up taking the morphine back to the pharmacy unused for them to dispose of.

Oramorph is the stuff you’re after. 2-3 days of that and you’re grand

I had five days of dihydrocodeine, and then just ibuprofen and paracetamol.

To be honest, the pain is fine as long as you’re not transitioning between positions. I think if you’re going to be able to rest plenty, you’ll be okay, but if you have another kid to look after as well, you might struggle. But that’s my experience and pain is very personal 🤷🏻‍♀️

There is always a lot of "oh it's barely a scratch, I hardly noticed" chat on here about c-sections. I wouldnt have said it was incredibly painful, but quite uncomfortable and consistently so for the first few days - I found that feeling of not being able to move, sit up? Twist and turn or bend down easily quite tough. I remember walking to the park at 1 week postpartum and it took me twice the time it would have done the week before.
Things like suddenly being able to walk very briskly to get to a bus or pedestrian crossing for the lights, stuff you take for granted.

I was given a bag including co-codamol and kept on top of all my doses as I had been warned to do

Came here to say the same thing 😂 I had to pop in to my local corner shop on the way home for paracetamol and ibuprofen because they don’t supply them. It makes sense, they’re 35p in the shop and cost the NHS far more… But it did make me laugh!

I’ve had 3 sections OP, it’s honestly not that bad if you keep on top of it. It’s sore, don’t get me wrong, you’re being sliced in half, but paracetamol and ibuprofen does the job if you take them as directed.

They won’t let you suffer.

Oh, they will!

That’s all I got after c-section and hysterectomy. They worked just fine.

You will have pain relief in suppository form given in theatre and paracetamol and ibuprofen given regularly post op. If you need something stronger which some women do, then you can have dihydrocodeine or oramorph. It's a balancing act of side effects- everyone experiences pain differently and everyone experiences stronger pain killers differently. For some opiates can make them vomit which wouldn't be fun after a c section. They can also cause constipation which again would be very unpleasant.

Opiates can also cause drowsiness which when you have a newborn to look after can be dangerous. This is why they are more cautious and don't routinely give these at intervals over the day. You can however ask for these to be given if you need it, and other drugs can be given to counteract nausea and constipation if necessary.

I was given a bottle of morphine but didn't need to use it. Paracetamol and ibuprofen were honestly enough. Please don't worry, you will be fine.

There is always a lot of "oh it's barely a scratch, I hardly noticed" chat on here about c-sections. I wouldnt have said it was incredibly painful, but quite uncomfortable and consistently so for the first few days - I found that feeling of not being able to move, sit up? Twist and turn or bend down easily quite tough. I remember walking to the park at 1 week postpartum and it took me twice the time it would have done the week before.
Things like suddenly being able to walk very briskly to get to a bus or pedestrian crossing for the lights, stuff you take for granted.

I was given a bag including co-codamol and kept on top of all my doses as I had been warned to do.

Face it, a C section (after the actual op itself) is not pain free whatever pain killers you get. But don’t catastrophise it in your head. It’s perfectly manageable and gets better with time. Yes, moving hurts to begin with, but you just get on with it because you have a baby who needs you. It’s doable. That improves, then you only feel it when you cough or sneeze unexpectedly. Then it’s no problem at all.
Honestly it’s very doable. And having had stitches after an episiotomy first time round, and a C section the second time, I preferred the C section because I could sit down comfortably! You can do it.

I had whatever I needed. After a day I was fibre on paracetamol and ibuprofen honestly.

I was told I could take codeine but I know someone who got addicted so I didn’t. I ended up not taking anything. It was fine.

I was given dihydrocodeine too (including a small pack to take home. I used half). It was only the combination of all three that helped. Just paracetamol wouldn’t have touched the discomfort. DS is 7 months old so it’s very recent.

I was in hospital for 5 nights after my only c-section and was given paracetamol and ibuprofen every two hours whilst I was in. (Alternating)

That's because they're not really that bad. Honestly. Ibuprofen and paracetamol was absolutely fine for me. I did need to take it for a number of weeks afterwards but I didn't need anything else.

Dunno what they gave me in the hospital as I can’t remember but I was fine on just paracetamol at home, honestly OP I’m not being a martyr it just really wasn’t that bad. I was up and about walking as soon as the catheter was out and did my best to do as my mum said and stand up straight - no hunching over - and move as much as you can! I had no issues recovering, was walking the dogs with DD in a sling within a week and my scar is barely visible. Mine was planned, but I have two friends who had emergency c sections (who I know from running, and we all carried on running while pregnant then walked a lot when running was no longer an option) and they were exactly the same. I heard so many stories telling me I’d be doubled over in agony unable to move - yes I was a bit uncomfortable getting out of bed for a bit but it was definitely not the worst pain I’ve ever been in. My ACL repair was far far worse! Good luck ❤️

I wonder if men who have major abdominal surgery also only get paracetamol.

TBH most men aren't aclimatised to pain in the same way the vast majority of women are. They just don't have the tolerance that women do. Be interesting to know what the pain relief protocol is for women following CS around the world.

I had to do a sit in protest to get morphine last time.

Just demand it and say you’re not leaving without it. They will fold as they need the bed.

I’ve had 3 c-sections and was given a low dose of co-codamol each time. Don’t think they’re that much stronger than paracetamol. Needed them mainly for the first 3-4 days.