C-section/painkillers/breastfeeding question

How's THAT for a subject line?

I think I've mentioned this here before, but just in case, here's a little bit of background: I'm having a scheduled c-section because of a badly ruptured disc in my back. The pain in my lower back and my right leg is worst when I'm laying down, and it took buying a $6000 Tempur-Pedic bed to get me back to getting SOME quality sleep every night.

I guess my question is two-fold:

1. After the c-section, I will need to be on painkillers for my back, since I typically cannot lay down for more than 1/2 hour at a time (and I'm sure the hospital beds will feel WONDERFUL). Depending on what they have me on, will I still be able to breastfeed? This is something I REALLY want to do, and I'm afraid that being on the painkillers will prevent me from doing so.

2. Someone told me that right after a c-section, you're not allowed to get out of bed for the first day. Is this true? I don't know HOW in the world I'm going to go without getting up and walking around because my leg will get SO sore. This is pain that VICODIN didn't work on--so I'm not really sure how it's going to work.

I'm not nervous about becoming a mom, and I'm not even nervous about the c-section...I'm most nervous about the 3 days I'll be spending in the hospital on a substandard mattress with my back being in as much pain as it is.

Re: C-section/painkillers/breastfeeding question

I can't help you with the breastfeeding question but I was up and walking that night and I had a c-section in the afternoon.

Re: C-section/painkillers/breastfeeding question

Ok, I had a c/s and BF...

Yes, you will have to stay in bed the first day because of the pain pump/epi hook-up. (at least I had to because I still couldn't feel my right leg)

Yes, you can take painkillers while BF (after a c/s at least they allow you to). I only took motrin after the C/S but they offered me Percocet. My sister BF and she took painkillers.

Kellymom.com is a great website/ Forum if you want to start reading up on BF.

Edited because I apparently cannot spell.

Message edited 11/10/2008 12:06:20 AM.

Re: C-section/painkillers/breastfeeding question

1. Yes, you can take Vicoden, percosets or 800mg of motrin and have no problems breastfeeding. Im sure if you have other pain issues the doctors can work something out. Maybe morphine.

2. Yes, you are probably confined atleast till that night. You will have a catheter in. Once that is out you can move around. I would talk to your doctor and express your concerns

Re: C-section/painkillers/breastfeeding question

Vicodin and Percosets are a L3 (according to Kellymom.com)...

L3 MODERATELY SAFE:
There are no controlled studies in breastfeeding women, however the risk of untoward effects to a breastfed infant is possible; or, controlled studies show only minimal non-threatening adverse effects. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the infant

Message edited 11/10/2008 7:16:20 AM.

Re: C-section/painkillers/breastfeeding question

I did both.

I could not take Percocet or any pain killers per se. I have adverse reactions to them.

I was able to take Motrin 800 but that did not really cut it.

I had my c-section at 3pm on a Friday and did not walk until Sunday. The next morning 2 nurses came and bathe me in my bed, then they removed the catheter. I was in way too much pain to even think of walking around. Just getting up to go to the bathroom was excruciating.

And it was also so painful to raise myself in the bed to BF.

They brought DS to me for all his feeding. If I needed help I called the nurse to help me.

Re: C-section/painkillers/breastfeeding question

Re: C-section/painkillers/breastfeeding question

I had my c/s at 7 pm, and was walking around that night. (Although it was odd & short distanced b/c of the foley catheter)

I was BF'ing also, and they had me on Loritab & 800 of Motrin.

If you tell them in advance that your intention is to BF they will dispense pain meds keeping that in mind.

Re: C-section/painkillers/breastfeeding question

I was kept in bed most of the next day. ( I delivered the night before) I had a foley in and hooked up to an IV. As soon as they removed the foley the next day, I was able to get out of bed. As soon as I was able to go to the bathroom on my own after having the foley removed, I had the IV removed. They offered and I took motrin and percocet and it's ok to breastfeed on both of them, trust me... I asked several times if it was ok, i was concerned.

Re: C-section/painkillers/breastfeeding question

I was taking percoset and then vicodin and my doctor said both were safe for me to BF.

I couldn't get out of bed the whole next day. I still had the pads on my legs and was very very sore.

Re: C-section/painkillers/breastfeeding question

Hey Sweetie,

Regarding Breastfeeding while taking Meds- This really depends on what type of meds you take...double check with your OB first..

Regarding Getting up right after a c-section-
the next day the nurses will help you get out of bed and give you a bath and have you sit...that same day you will have your catheter removed..and then you can walk around...(walking is recommend after a c-section..)

I wish you all the best...and I hope there something that the doctors can do so you can feel more comfortable when you are in the hospital..

God Bless you and good luck.

Re: C-section/painkillers/breastfeeding question

Thanks for your responses, everyone. I just want to be able to enjoy the first days with my little girl as much as possible.

Re: C-section/painkillers/breastfeeding question

Even if you can't breastfeed for some reason, ask the nurses/lactation consultant for a breast pump. At the very least you can pump in the hospital to build your supply and then nurse when you get home. I wish you the best and a painfree recovery. My DH has a bad back and I know it can really su*k...

Re: C-section/painkillers/breastfeeding question

Most likely you will be in bed for the whole first day. I had a spinal during my c/s and it started to wear off before the surgery was over (it was not as bad as it sounds) but by the time I went to recovery I needed something. My L&D nurse was great she tried 2 shots of something which did nothing. Then she got me on a pump (I think it was a morphine pump, but things were alittle foggy that day so I could be wrong). So basically I was able to self medicate, you cannot over medicate as it will only allow you to dispense the meds I think every 15 minutes.

I was able to BF within 1 hour of DS birth...before you have your DC when you go for the presurgical testing they will ask you about FF vs BF and it will be on all your records. I had told them I wanted to BF but decided to supplement with FF after he was born and continually during my stay they kept asking me about BF.

Re: C-section/painkillers/breastfeeding question

Posted by MrsRivera

Thanks for your responses, everyone. I just want to be able to enjoy the first days with my little girl as much as possible.