STMs: What did you use for post-partum pain relief?

jen83mn · August 2015

As a FTM, I'm curious, what medicines did you STMs used for pain relief post-partum? How many days did you use them for?

I'm allergic to NSAIDs and therefore can't take ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, etc., but I can take acetaminophen (Tylenol). I would like to avoid narcotic pain relief if possible, both to avoid passing any on to the baby through breastmilk and because of the side effects they could have on me. But I'm not sure if Tylenol alone will be enough to help with the pain?

(If I have any pain relief during labor it will be an epidural, not narcotics.)

Thanks for your input!

jessrjennings · August 2015

It depends on your pain tolerance but some women do just fine with Tylenol alone. Also to help "down below" tucks pads with witch hazel help sooo much

WDDCH · August 2015

I used AfterEase, an herbal tincture.

ForeverEverAfter · August 2015

I used antiinflammatories for 4 days around the clock, sucks those are off the table for you

Tylenol will help for pain, and might be enough along with symptom relief strategies.

The most helpful symptom relief for me was ice for the first 24h, and warm sitz baths with sea salt twice a day from the second day until fully healed. Witch hazel is fabulous, both for vag discomfort and hemorrhoids. I bought EMAB new mama bottom spray to try this time, mostly witch hazel with essential oils. I think it'll be handy in a spray instead of having to dab it on put it on pads.

thinkpink101 · August 2015

I'm also allergic to NSAIDS and I don't like taking Tylenol unless absolutely necessary. I mostly sucked it up, but I sat on a "donut", used sitz baths witch hazel.

momofsweetps · August 2015

Nothing because I was nursing.

AksanaAnais · August 2015

I used nothing as well. I was also nursing. I didn't even have pain. My uterus contracted so damn fast I looked better after baby than I did before. Even weighed less.

blondehairblueeyeditalianbaby · August 2015

I didn't take anything and didn't really feel like I needed it. I had a good amount of stitches but they never bothered me.

Elizabeth043086 · August 2015

I didn't take a thing, I felt great not being pregnant anymore.

SLang2 · August 2015

I can't speak for vaginal labour but for a c-section in Canada the only pain relievers we are given is Tylenol and Advil. I would assume that if we can deal with the pain after surgery with just OTC's that Tylenol and alternatives (e.g. witch hazel) should be sufficient for a vaginal birth.

I hope that doesn't come across rude, I don't mean it to be. I have only had c-sections so I have no idea how painful recovery from a vaginal is, but I do know Tylenol and Advil is the standard pain reliever for vaginal births in Canada to.

ymcadance · August 2015

I was not as lucky as the ladies above... I had serious pain from the tear/stitches. My forms of pain relief were all topical: I did Tucks wipes, Dermoplast spray, Peribottle with warm water and witch hazel, ice packs, and they prescribed me a lidocaine gel. I know it sounds like a lot, but I really needed more. This time I bought ahead of time Earth Mama's- Mama bottom balm and postpartum bath herbs in hopes for a less painful healing. Hopefully I wont need them this go around. My biggest advice is ask for more of everything to take home from the hospital! It is so helpful, they get the good stuff and its free! Hopefully you wont need anything at all and be pain free ;-)

junebaby20 · August 2015

Took percocets after my csection and nursed. She turned out just fine. I think I was off them within a week? I would consult a pharmacist about what is best during breastfeeding. They know better than most which is good and bad and have books behind the counter for reference.

brit1983 · August 2015

I had a c-section and only took Motrin for maybe 5 days. I was definitely sore and felt pain at times but I never felt comfortable taking pain meds while taking care of a newborn.

meggipi5 · August 2015

Get that spray! My doctor gave me a heavy duty tylenol prescription for the first few days (3rd degree tearing). I also loved tucks pads. Take that colace until you aren't afraid of pooping!

momofsweetps · August 2015

I should say I used topical stuff as well but I had vaginal births. I'm sure c sections would require some pain meds.

kanga915 · August 2015

I took nothing for pain. I took Colace to make the first poop less scary and I lined my pads with Tucks. I also poured witch hazel into pads and froze them (aka padsicles). Sitz baths and peri bottle too. But no pain relievers.

Mandii385 · August 2015

I used mostly tylonel but got tylonel with codeine for night time. My hospital provided me with what looked like maxi pads but we're ice pads that were awesome!

itsasapphire · August 2015

I can only speak for my c section and I am able to take NSAIDS. I took Motrin (800 mg ibuprofen) basically around the clock for three days. And then nothing. My uterus shrunk really quickly and I removed my steri strips at 6 days. I had a relatively rough delivery but recovery was a breeze.

Hopefully, the same goes for this one. Good luck to you!

rebeccabloomwood · August 2015

I had a c section, and like you I'm allergic to nearly everything but Tylenol. They offered me Tylenol 3s at the hospital but I don't like the way I feel on T3s so I took T2s. Still strong pain relief with a little less punch. I only took these for about a week an a half. CSection pain is no joke but maybe I'm a suck.

Jenten810 · August 2015

I was given 200mg Tylenol and I used maybe 10-15 pills of the 90 I was prescribed. I had substantial tearing so I took them whenever I had overdone it and was in a lot of pain. I'm don't have any allergies to medications, but I would like to think your doctor will prescribe you something safe for you and baby. Like most pp, the witch hazel, sitz baths and ice pads were the most effective for the recovery.

Taekarate1978 · August 2015

I only used the tucks pads with witch hazel. Tylenol should be sufficient.

kary12345 · August 2015

kanga915 said:
I took nothing for pain. I took Colace to make the first poop less scary and I lined my pads with Tucks. I also poured witch hazel into pads and froze them (aka padsicles). Sitz baths and peri bottle too. But no pain relievers.

Where do you get liquid witch hazel? What store and which department in the store? Also where do you get the bottom spray?

jen83mn · August 2015

Thank you all for your suggestions! I already have the Tucks, witch hazel, and Dermoplast stocked at home, and I'm glad to know that Tylenol should be sufficient to get through the pain the first few days!

Boobopgirl · August 2015

You can also get the postpartum bath herbs to put in your peri bottle as kind of a double whammy against pain down there. I sat on an ice pack for 24 hours and used advil twice. Embrace the stool softener.

WDDCH · August 2015

kary12345 said:

kanga915 said:
I took nothing for pain. I took Colace to make the first poop less scary and I lined my pads with Tucks. I also poured witch hazel into pads and froze them (aka padsicles). Sitz baths and peri bottle too. But no pain relievers.
Where do you get liquid witch hazel? What store and which department in the store? Also where do you get the bottom spray?

I've seen witch hazel in the pharmacy where the bandaids and rubbing alcohol are or you can order on Amazon or any number of online retailers.

Mufflerlove · August 2015

I took Motrin only for pain and then a stool softener. This time I also got some earth mama bottom spray.

RosieStadj · August 2015

For both my babes (breastfed), I took the pain relievers prescribed, the pain spray, peri bottle & tucks pads. I had 2nd degree tears with both. This time I picked up a few of the Earth Mama products & have some padsicles in the freezer.

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