Pain medication after c-section?

[Anonymous]

Having a second c-section soon, and it’s been 6 years since my last one. For those of you who have had one recently, what do they offer you for pain management when you leave the hospital? Last time it was percoset or ibuprofen, I’m just curious if it’s changed. I didn’t like the side effects of percoset (constipation even with Colace fiber and prune juice- all the tricks!). I switched to ibuprofen around day 3 last time but it was too soon and I was in a lot of pain. Is there anything else I should ask for ? I am hoping to BF. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I’m eager to hear the same! And it’s also been 6 years for me!

Percoset makes me cry and I already worry about PPD. I was in sooo much pain last time, and I felt like all the Percoset did was make me more miserable. I’m pretty nervous about my recovery from this one.

[Anonymous]

Had a c section in August. They gave me Aspirin and Advil for the pain – three of one, two of the other every six hours. This was in the hospital and when home recovering. I was surprised they didn't give me something stronger, but those two ended up doing the trick. Weirdly, though, when I complain of a migraine in the hospital, they gave me some sort of opioid. They also had me take a stool softener.
Good luck OP!!!!

[Anonymous]

You can ask for a pump of something. I forget what was in there, but it wasn't opioids or NSAIDs.

[Anonymous]

Percocet was offered but I’m allergic so I had to alternate Tylenol and ibuprofen

[Anonymous]

PP here. Sorry, they didn't give me aspirin and advil, but tylenol and advice, like the other pp.

[Anonymous]

Alternating Tylenol and ibuprofen but I was still in a lot of pain so I also got oxycodone while in the hospital and a week's supply prescribed when I left.

[Anonymous]

Op here, thanks everyone. Was there any pressure or push-back on you when you asked for the stronger stuff bc OTC wasn’t helping? I guess im surprised that they go to OTC so quickly after major surgery like this now. I know they want to avoid long term addiction, but it seems really soon.

[Anonymous]

2 C sections 17 months apart. Much less pain after my second child. Maybe I was better prepared for the pain or could it have been scar tissue or since I didn’t have labor, I was better rested? Don’t know. I only needed OTC pain relievers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here, thanks everyone. Was there any pressure or push-back on you when you asked for the stronger stuff bc OTC wasn’t helping? I guess im surprised that they go to OTC so quickly after major surgery like this now. I know they want to avoid long term addiction, but it seems really soon.

I’m the pp above who got oxy when I gave birth this summer…no, no pressure to avoid it. I said I was still in pain, they gave it to me, not a big deal (though I thought it might be based on what I had read before about going straight to otc stuff).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can ask for a pump of something. I forget what was in there, but it wasn't opioids or NSAIDs.

I assume this is only while in hospital? Or can you take a pump home?

[Anonymous]

NP, but I was just about to post a similar question. With my first at WHC, the nurses seemed intent on spreading out doses as long as possible and waiting until I was at a particular pain number for a next dose. By comparison, my doctor's orders were to take the pain meds at certain regular intervals. Will be at Sibley this time, so hopefully don't have to deal with this again. Any advice for this scenario? Do you just over-state your level of pain? I totally get them wanting to prevent necessary pill popping, but I also want to prevent rollercoasters of pain while I'm trying to recover and take care of my baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here, thanks everyone. Was there any pressure or push-back on you when you asked for the stronger stuff bc OTC wasn’t helping? I guess im surprised that they go to OTC so quickly after major surgery like this now. I know they want to avoid long term addiction, but it seems really soon.

If it works, it's the best choice for so many reasons.

I went home on post-op day 5 after open-heart surgery on scheduled Ibuprofen with some back-up Tylenol-3s that I didn't end up using. They cut my sternum in half, so I had healing bone as well as soft tissue, and I had to roll out of bed instead of sitting up, but -- pain was well-controlled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here, thanks everyone. Was there any pressure or push-back on you when you asked for the stronger stuff bc OTC wasn’t helping? I guess im surprised that they go to OTC so quickly after major surgery like this now. I know they want to avoid long term addiction, but it seems really soon.

If it works, it's the best choice for so many reasons.

I went home on post-op day 5 after open-heart surgery on scheduled Ibuprofen with some back-up Tylenol-3s that I didn't end up using. They cut my sternum in half, so I had healing bone as well as soft tissue, and I had to roll out of bed instead of sitting up, but -- pain was well-controlled.

I think it's probably also due to BF-ing right?

[Anonymous]

I got Percocet in the hospital and a week supply when I came home. I really didn't need it though and it made me so out of it. I should have just stuck with alternating tylenol and ibuprofen after about day 3 / hospital discharge. I don't recall ever being in any pain other than related to breastfeeding which was excruitiating.