Post-op Pain Question

I really haven't seen this addressed, so I figured I ask since I have a fairly low threshold to pain.

To you ladies who have gone through this, is the pain internal or mostly from the abdominal incision?

I ask this due to the fact that I will be nursing my daughter during the hospital stay, and I was hoping to keep pain meds to a minium.

After my C section, I was surprised how little pain I was in. T(The vaginal birth of my first daughter was actually more painful). The only pain that I experienced was shooting and stabbing pain in my shoulder due to gas. (buying gas meds this time around).

My pain was almost completely in my incision site. I was a little sore internally, but not too bad. I only took pain meds for about the first week, and then usually just ibuprofen and an occasional Percocet. Let your doc know you want to continue nursing while in the hospital. I'm sure some pain meds are safer than others for that situation.

Good luck!

My post-op pain wasn't bad, but was mainly internal. I felt like my insides were bruised. My incision was a little sore, but nothing bad. I was on pain meds for the first week (ibuprofen 800mg during the day and Vicadin at night). Since you're nursing, let your doc know so he can order meds that would be safe for the baby. You may want to pump and freeze some breast milk just to be on the safe side.

My pain wasn't that bad. I only took pain meds for a couple of days once I came home.

I was mostly just REALLY sore. I felt like I had done a million crunches.
I didn't really have any incision pain.

Good luck to you.

Good question. Here's my experience:

At first, the pain was really a very raw pain clearly coming from the incision. After that started closing up, the pain shifted so it was more deep, like I had a burning bruise along the incision and lots of swelling. And that pain never really went away -- I'm still dealing with it because of a post-op complication.

But in most cases that "deep pain" subsides in 4-6 weeks or something like that, and many women don't even really have that much pain.

I dont remember the first 1 1/2 to 2 days. I had a morhine pump but I dont remember any pain. Since being home I have taken some Ibuprofen. I would pump and freeze to be on the safe side. I am not sure how safe the meds during surgery would be on the baby. Maybe contact a lactaction consultant if you have any doubt. Good luck!

GA

Hi everyone:

Thanks for responding. It makes me a little more comfortable to know what i can expect.

Regarding breastfeeding, I have already talked to my daughter's pediatrician, and she told me that it would be no problem. She made an excellent point regarding women having c sections and nursing immediately afterward. It makes sense as I will be given an epidural for my operation.

When I go for my pre-op appointment, I will mention that I plan on breastfeeding. I only wish that I could keep my daughter with me as she is only four months.

Eleni

Yes - make sure you get those gas pains under control, I found that to be the worst part by far. I'm sure you will be fine, but I am surprised they will let you hold a 4mo child? - won't she be a bit heavy to lift?

Hi

Regarding c-section versus abdominal hysterectomy, I'm pretty sure that most, if not all, sisters who have experienced both are in agreement that the hysterectomy is worse.

I didn't have the benefit of a morphine pump as I was allergic to it and found that I only had pain when I moved following surgery. As long as I kept still, I was fine!

Obviously, everyone's different and all you can really do is seek medical advice with regard to drugs and nursing your baby. Be very careful, though, with the lifting!

Good luck and take care!

You should definitely discuss pain management with your Dr before your surgery. Try to nurse before you take your meds as you will have less medication cross thru your breastmilk. Your body will have time to metabolize the medication before you need to nurse again. Expect your baby to be more sleepy. If you have time to pump and freeze before your surgery it would be a good idea. There may be times that you just don't feel well enough to nurse. Good luck with your surgery, speedy recovery!
Michelle