Pain Medication choice for c-section or vbac

To make a long story short.....I'm hoping to have a vbac but since I will be doing most of my laboring at home I may not be able to have an epi. I'm curious what others having a vaginal birth have used for pain medication other than an epi? Also, with my first I had a c-section and was given narcotics in my spine (kinda like a spinal block I guess) that lasted 24 hours after my section. Although it was great because I literally felt nothing for 24 hours after surgery I also was unable to get out of bed for like 36 hours after birth and I feel that it really made my recovery process take alot longer. My c-section would be at 8 am if I were to have it and I would like to be unhooked from everything and up and walking by that night. I'm curious what others had have for pain medication after c-section. Ty!

I labored mostly at home and was jumping in and out of the shower. Water really helped, this time I'm doing home water birth lol.

wow.. that's crazy. Any patient should be up walking by 6-8 hours after surgery for best possible recovery.

Toradol would be my first choice for pain management. It's non-narcotic.. very strong nonsteroid anti-inflammatory (similar to motrin but better) combined with Percocet gives very good pain relief.

(after section)

For labor.. we started using aromatherapy at our hospital.. it's going over fairly well with some pateint's. Aromatherapy is proven to helpw tih pain, anxiety, nausea, many symptoms that are present in L&D. Then there's always Fentanyl (narcotic given in IV) if you dont' want an epidural.

Good luck to you mama!

my SIL had demeral for a vag birth. Its a temporary fix through the IV. But as far as a c-section goes you have to have a spinal or epi or be completely under.

Ive had two c-sections, both planned. Planned ones seem to go much smoother. I had a spinal both times and was able to move my legs with in an hour after the surgery. I was up and walking with in 5hrs both times. As far as pain meds after, I had percocets I think, or something of that nature.

Quoting snugglemama:" wow.. that's crazy. Any patient should be up walking by 6-8 hours after surgery for best possible recovery. ... [snip!] ... present in L&D. Then there's always Fentanyl (narcotic given in IV) if you dont' want an epidural. Good luck to you mama!"

Ty for the advise! I had pre e with my first so I was hooked up to alot of different medications also so there were other reasons I was not allowed out of bed but I def feel like it played a big part in why it took me 2 weeks to even walk completely upright. I took a long time to heal and has me terrified to have to have another c-section.  

Quoting TheyCallMeMOMMY♥:" my SIL had demeral for a vag birth. Its a temporary fix through the IV. But as far as a c-section goes ... [snip!] ... I was up and walking with in 5hrs both times. As far as pain meds after, I had percocets I think, or something of that nature."

How long ago? Demeral isn't supposed to be given anymore except for shivers post surgery.. it's not approved for pain management anymore.

Spinal block for actual section yes... but it's unnecessary to put narcs in that will last 24 hours and make someone unable to walk post op.

Ibuprofen for cramps (or Toradol post op for up to 24 hours first) then Ibuprofen .. combined with Percocet is great for pain management post section

Quoting Kassi Dixon:" Ty for the advise! I had pre e with my first so I was hooked up to alot of different medications also ... [snip!] ... 2 weeks to even walk completely upright. I took a long time to heal and has me terrified to have to have another c-section.  "

if aromatherapy is something you're interested in... find some place that sells pure essential oils.. Lavender is a great choice- it's one that helps with pain, nausea, and anxiety. We also use Mandarin, sweet marjoram, and ginger where I work.. though off hand I don't remember which is for which symptoms. I think the sweet marjoram also does pain and anxiety- though unsure.

Quoting snugglemama:" How long ago? Demeral isn't supposed to be given anymore except for shivers post surgery.. it's not ... [snip!] ... Toradol post op for up to 24 hours first) then Ibuprofen .. combined with Percocet is great for pain management post section"

Ya its been a while, he is 8 now. Ive never labored naturally so I wouldnt know what to expect, or what might be given. Im wondering why they would put narcotics in a spinal? I know Ive heard stories of women having long term after affects from the spinal, and it lasting longer then it should. I wonder if this might have been this case? I think I was sent home with Toradol, this last c-section was VERY painful (I have alot of scare tissue) so I tried to keep the pain away. After about a week I complete fine.

Quoting snugglemama:" How long ago? Demeral isn't supposed to be given anymore except for shivers post surgery.. it's not ... [snip!] ... Toradol post op for up to 24 hours first) then Ibuprofen .. combined with Percocet is great for pain management post section"

After my spinal block wore out they gave me a shot in my iv port....I'm not really sure what it was. I got it every 6 hours and then percoset in between. Nobody I know had pain medication like this when they had their sections and they seem to have had a better experience. I know I had the pre e so my situation was different but I'm really hoping to go a different route this time. I want my cath out ASAP!! lol

Quoting TheyCallMeMOMMY♥:" Ya its been a while, he is 8 now. Ive never labored naturally so I wouldnt know what to expect, or what ... [snip!] ... c-section was VERY painful (I have alot of scare tissue) so I tried to keep the pain away. After about a week I complete fine."

They always put narcs in the spinal.. that's normal. but they shouldnt' be that long acting.

they dind't send you home with toradol.. probably motrin. Toradol is an IV medication

Quoting Kassi Dixon:" After my spinal block wore out they gave me a shot in my iv port....I'm not really sure what it was. ... [snip!] ... the pre e so my situation was different but I'm really hoping to go a different route this time. I want my cath out ASAP!! lol"

sounds like toradol... most narcs are shorter acting. but.. your lack in pain control probably had more to do with something else. Toradol is the best IMO for pain control.. combined with narcotics (percocet)

I had motrin, percocet, and oxycodone for break through pain and still had horrible pain. Some sections just hurt worse.

I had an emergency section and was unable to have the cath removed for 12 hours, and was told not to get out of bed during that time period either. I didn't receive any narcotic pain meds for 24 hours after section and then they had me on 10 mg of roxycodone every 4 hours.

All I remember about it is that they told me that the pain medication would last 24 hours after surgery and it did. I could feel my legs and move and everything. I actually felt great and then it wore off and it was a huge slap in the face!! lol If I have to have a repeat c-section this time I really want it on my terms as the first time I felt so out of control. So far I have no signs of pre e or hbp so I'm really hoping it will go smoother. I've had friends that got their caths out literally hours after surgery and got to go home in just 3 days.

I got to go home in 4 days

Quoting *~*Devin's Mama*~*:" I got to go home in 4 days"

I was in the hospital for 7 days.