Pain medication AFTER birth?

atcwag · September 2013

I'm due in 4 weeks and am planning a med-free birth. I also plan to EBF after birth.

I have heard/read so many things about "ACCEPT the pain meds after birth!" for post-partum pain, sutures, stool softeners, etc. I don't feel any need to "Be a hero.", but I also don't want to take anything that could compromise breastfeeding.

I guess I'm asking that, in keeping with a med-free birth plan, what is typically accepted in terms of medication post-birth.

sschwege · September 2013

I did Motrin and regular Tylenol, also took stool softeners. I EBF both times and don't have a problem using these while BFing.

nosoup4u · September 2013

Ibuprofen isn't going to mess up your supply. All the reasons I chose to go med-free don't apply after the baby is born. I am more than happy to accept painkillers if it makes my postpartum recovery easier.

barista411 · September 2013

I took ibuprophen, stool softeners, and antibiotics. I tired to stay away from stronger pain killer because even though they said they were safe I didn't want my daughter to receive them through my breast milk. I found ice, tucks pads, dermaplast, and epi foam be more effective than pain killers.

Tiffwhorton · September 2013

They wont give you pain medication that would effect breastmilk. Its up to you though. If your in pain, ask for it. If not then dont.

Tiffwhorton · September 2013

And by "effect" i mean be harmful in any way.

Sawyerplus1 · September 2013

I agree, they wont give you anything that will effect your supply and/or baby. I've had 3 babies naturally and didn't feel the need for pain meds for any of them after birth. The afterpains weren't too bad for me, though they get worse with each one. I remember after #1 it felt like some menstrual cramps for a day or two, but nothing too bad.

JCWhitey · September 2013

All I took was Tylenol in the hospital. When I got home I switched to Ibuprofen and added in a stool softener.

ArmyQM · September 2013

After my second I had an old school nurse offer me Percocet (oxycodone) which is rated an L3 (moderately safe). So you do need to watch what is offered you and ask about what lactation risk category the drug offered falls into. L1 is considered the safest which is what Tylenol falls into. I declined the Percocet and opted just for Tylenol.

Arielle27 · September 2013

With my first I gave birth in a hospital that doesn't automatically give pain relief. I was up til 3am the first night with 'after contractions' until I finally asked a nurse for something. They gave me Tylenol and it literally took away all the pain!

With my second, I was in a hospital that automatically gives Tylenol very 4-6 hours and I didn't have the after pain at all!!

oliversmommy32912 · September 2013

I rotated ibuprofen and percocet for a week. But, I also had such bad tearing that I couldn't sit down for a week, even with the percocet, so I don't regret it at all. As soon as I started to feel a little better I cut them in half and was completely off percocet by day 10. I kept up with the ibuprofen for at least three weeks.

aylafsu88 · September 2013

sschwege said:

I did Motrin and regular Tylenol, also took stool softeners. I EBF both times and don't have a problem using these while BFing.

Same here. I had a second degree internal tear. It was very painful. I did space the Motrin out a bit but I needed to take them. As for the stool softeners in my situation those were a must. I EBF LO and had a great supply.

barnwife · September 2013

I have had 2 med-free HB. I have taken ibuprofen and stool softeners. I fully plan to use them again with this LO if I need to.

FWIW, with J. I had tons of bruising thanks to his extremely large head, nuchal hand, and pushing for 3 hours. I couldn't go from sitting to standing or vice versa for 2 weeks pp without wanting to cry in pain.

With A., my only pain was afterbirth pains while nursing which were pretty bad for about 2 days.

I expect the afterbirth pains to be worse this time. Hopefully there won't be bruising or tearing though! If I am in pain though, I won't hesitate to use ibuprofen.

Also, the statement that doctors/nurses won't offer things that affect BM/supply/baby, just isn't true. Always double check (says the person offered things that could have caused birth defects while pregnant with J.).

ScorpioMum · September 2013

I may have taken Tylenol with #1 but no pain relievers with the others. I did take the stool softener with all 4. The breastfeeding afterpains did get worse with each subsequent child but I didn't take pain relief with it because it's only while you're nursing and only for maybe a week. I'm so bad at remembering this stuff. Probably the reason that I'm on #5. LOL!!

erb82 · September 2013

I definitely recommend the stool softener, especially if you've had any tearing. It doesn't affect nursing. As for pain meds, I'd just wait and see what you need. I didn't need any pain medication after my first, but the after pains were way worse with the next two so I took Motrin. It worked fine and had no effects on the babies or nursing.

tokenhoser · September 2013

My hospital gave me Aleve (mostly because you only have to take it every 8-12 hours), stool softeners, and a prenatal vitamin. And Tylenol if i had any pain between Aleve doses.

I took it all. I have looked at the effects on baby (nil) and me (less pain) and was happy to take them. I had pretty severe tears and caring for myself properly was important to get enough rest and heal.

nicholssquared · September 2013

I took whatever they gave me after delivery when I was in the hospital, but I didn't fill my percoset RX. That seemed a little excessive, I was fine at home with the occasional tylenol for like a week. If you have a natural, vaginal delivery your body is designed to bounce back quickly and the PP pain for the next couple weeks will seem like a minor annoyance compared to what you've already done.

However, after the baby is physically out of me, I will ask for ALL THE DRUGS. That fundal massage was about 10x worse than my worst contraction and I have an atonal uterus so they do it SO MUCH.

SunnyMuffin · September 2013

For a regular vaginal delivery w/ no severe tearing you wont need anything stronger than tylenol/ibuprofen. I alternated the 2 for a few days mostly for swelling/inflammation

SunnyMuffin · September 2013

oliversmommy32912 said:

I rotated ibuprofen and percocet for a week. But, I also had such bad tearing that I couldn't sit down for a week, even with the percocet, so I don't regret it at all. As soon as I started to feel a little better I cut them in half and was completely off percocet by day 10. I kept up with the ibuprofen for at least three weeks.

Yeah thats a bit different in my opinion, I had 2 little stitches and felt fine

abell77 · September 2013

I accepted pain meds both times after birth and will do so again this time. I was at a natural birth friendly hospital that totally supports breastfeeding, so I felt I could trust them when I said, "please give me whatever is safe for breastfeeding".

tokenhoser · September 2013

For the record, just so the FTMs aren't too scared, the pain experienced even with a severe tear is very personal. I DID have a third degree tear - and they said things like "deep" and "multiple" and took a good 45 minutes to stitch me up. I was still fine with ice, Aleve, and Tylenol. It really wasn't that bad FOR ME. Which is not me saying you shouldn't take the drugs if it hurts, just saying not to live in fear of a tear. My babies come out fast (regardless of my wishes or preparation), and that tends to do some damage.

mrssamarataylor · September 2013

The only thing I took after birth was Motrin and that was because I had a 3rd degree tear and an anti-inflammatory saved my life pain wise. Stool softener also, take them they are a life save as well.

rooftop · September 2013

I had advil and stool softeners after birth. We're at 3 weeks EBF and still going strong

ec0983 · September 2013

i don't think i would have survived the first 2 weeks pp without ibuprofen and tylenol. i spent so much time preparing for labor/delivery that i was completely unprepared for the discomfort of recovery, although my body has never recovered well from "trauma" (for lack of a better word). i alternated ibuprofen and tylenol on the 4/8 hour schedule for at least the first two days, and then did just ibuprofen until my swelling finally went down. i also took stool softeners and ate an entire container of prunes on the advice of my momma. she's a smart lady

MariaKeegs · September 2013

Stool softeners!!!!

Haley.Beth · September 2013

I took 800 mg ibuprofen after my first birth. I only had 3 very small tears, but I was so sore from pushing on my back and dealing with pitocin contractions I could hardly move without religiously taking the ibuprofen. After my second, I didn't need any pain meds at all, I got right up and never had an issue. Take medications if you need to, ibuprofen and tylenol are both safe for breastfeeding and keep in mind you being in pain and miserable is more detrimental to breastfeeding than pain medications that won't affect anything.

insertclevername · September 2013

I had stitches and placental retention. I had to have a shot of pitocin and part of my placenta manually removed. After the manual removal of placenta I was extremely uncomfortable. I accepted Ibuprofen and tried to just be ok with that. My DH could see how much pain I was in and told me to "stop being a hero". I took the darvocet that the nurse offered. After that initial day though, Ibuprofen was sufficient. I also took a stool softener and do not regret that at all. This time around I hope to be ok with just tylenol or ibuprofen. I really don't want any medications transferred through the breastmilk, especially since the medication they gave me the first time around (darvocet) was pulled from the market shortly after that.

jackersCU · September 2013

I had extra strength tylenol and stool softeners. They also gave me a spray for the stitches below to help numb the pain, so that was wonderful and didn't go inside my body.

sthomas1222 · September 2013

I had a 3rd degree tear so I opted for the epidural AFTER so I could be sewn up and they could take their time. I wanted it done right and was completely over feeling pain after my induction. I took percocet for 3-4 days and after that only ibuprofen. Don't take it if you don't need it, don't refuse it if you're in pain.

lizziealyssa · September 2013

Don't try to brave it without anything. I had several stitches but didn't take any pain medication for the week afterwards because I didn't think I was supposed to since I was EBF. It was MISERABLE. Finally I said something to my Mom and she told me not to brave through it and take medicine for crying out loud-for my sake and the baby's sake. All I took was Tylenol, and that was heavenly to me after braving it for so long. It's so good that you're asking now!!

CosmoAnne1 · September 2013

With my first I took Percocet , Ibuprofen 800, stool softeners for about 2 weeks. I was in the hospital for my spinal fluid leaking from the epidural causing the worst migraine of my life. With my 2nd I took all 3 meds again. I was in so much pain for 2 months. I'm not sure why it was so bad I know I tore but to what extent I don't know. I think my body was so shocked from all the pain I had even pulled muscles in my back. I Had a natural birth unexpectedly because my epidural didn't work. This is my 3rd I will take what is need but I want a medicated free birth. As you can see epidurals only cause me pain. I am going to be prepared this time I have an O.B. Who works with midwives so I will have both in the room while I deliver. Hopefully I won't need so much medication. I have successfully EBF both my children and they are doing great

. Do what is best for you and the baby only you know what pain you can function with.

ncbelle · September 2013

It may turn out that you don't need anything. I do not have a high pain tolerance but took motrin maybe twice after my first birth (had 3 stitches) and none after my second (didn't tear). I wouldn't feel bad about taking motrin if I needed it though! I did take colace with my first although with my second I had discovered that probiotics fixed my constipation issues and didn't need them.

memo9 · September 2013

I alternated tylenol and ibuprofen for the first week or two and took stool softeners for the first couple of days. I didn't find the narcotic pain reliever to be very effective.

I also sat on a doughnut pillow for a couple weeks and that was incredibly helpful too.

kdjudd · September 2013

I did some OTC painkillers afterwards and stool softeners. I was in a lot of pain, but it was manageable.

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