Pain Relief After Cesarean Section
If you have general anesthesia, your obstetrician will prescribe your pain control. This is typically through an intravenous (IV) catheter. If you have regional anesthesia, the OB anesthesia team will prescribe your pain control which will be one of several options depending on your individual situation. In most instances, a narcotic pain reliever (given near your spine) will be combined with anti-inflammatory drugs given in an IV catheter and/or by mouth. You will wear an orange bracelet that identifies you as having neuraxial (around the spine) narcotics and an orange sign will be placed by your bed as well.
A Cesarean Section is a major abdominal operation and you should not expect to be pain-free afterwards. We talk about pain in the hospital using a 0-10 scale where 0 is no pain at all and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine. These faces can sometimes help you determine your pain level:
The goal is for your pain score to be in the 0-4 range most of the time. When the nurses push on your belly you can expect your pain score to be higher than that range. The pain you experience will likely include cramping in your lower abdomen and back which is caused by your uterus contracting and shrinking down, a burning sensation over your incision, and a general soreness in the muscles of your abdomen. If your pain is not well-controlled in spite of your medications, let your nurse know. She will try to make things better and call the anesthesia physicians if necessary.
All narcotic pain relievers can have side effects which include itching, nausea, difficulty urinating and feeling strange or sleepy. There are medications ordered to help with the side effects of itching and nausea so ask your nurse if you need them. If you are having difficulty urinating or are feeling strange or very sleepy, let your nurse know.
Epidural or Spinal Duramorph (Morphine)
Duramorph is another name for morphine and is the most common pain relief that we offer. When given near the spine, it acts like a time-release drug providing pain relief for 18-30 hours in most patients. It is given as a single dose in spinals and in epidural catheters. It provides excellent pain relief. Side effects include itching in most patients and nausea and vomiting in some patients. With this medication, your epidural is removed prior to leaving the recovery area. You do need to keep an IV for 24 hours in case of side effects that require treatment.
Epidural Demerol (Meperidine)
Demerol is a narcotic pain reliever that is given through an epidural catheter if you had epidural or combined spinal-epidural (CSE) anesthesia. The Demerol is given as patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA). This means that you will have a constant infusion of medication going in and you will have a button that you can push to give yourself extra doses of medication if you need them – like with a labor epidural. Demerol causes less itching and nausea than the other pain relief options. Its use requires an epidural catheter to stay in place after surgery so it is not used if you had spinal anesthesia, a high fever, or will be placed on certain blood thinners soon after surgery. It is also not used in people with seizures or kidney dysfunction. Epidural Demerol is usually given for 24-48 hours. You can get up and walk around with it but you cannot leave the floor and you cannot shower while it is in place. You will be required to have an IV in place during that time.
Epidural Dilaudid (Hydromorphone)
Dilaudid is used in patients who can’t get Duramorph or Demerol due to allergy or medical condition. It is given as a constant infusion through an epidural catheter. This medication does not come with a button but a nurse can give additional doses if needed. Just as with the Demerol, you can walk around but not leave the hospital floor with this medication and you will be required to keep an IV and not shower. This medication is usually given for 24-48 hours.