Question about pain after c-section

I am starting to think about my actual c-section (I'm only 27 weeks but I'm a worry wart) and am concerned about something.  I've had two c-sections before, and with both I've had terrible pain afterwards.  (Please don't let this scare any newbies out there because I know a ton of people who have had very easy recoveries!)  I apparently am just one of those unlucky ones...someone said it's the redhead gene (whatever that means), but I've always needed a lot more medication than the normal person to feel relief at all.  

For example: when I had my last c-section, in the recovery room the nurse said she was giving me a block in my spinal before she took it out so that I should feel wonderful and pain free for at least 12 hours.  Well 15 minutes later I was in pain...as soon as the feeling started coming back in my legs and belly so did the pain.  The lortab they gave me every 4-6 hours did literally nothing.  I ended up pretending that I felt wonderful just so that they would let me out two days early so could go home and be miserable there (because it was easier for people to take care of me at home).

So question....how can I make this experience more pleasant?  It's my last child and I honestly want to have a better experience than last time.  What is the normal pain relief routine for c-sections and can I ask for something stronger without looking like a drug seeker?  lol  I tried to tell the staff and the anesthesiologist last time and they wrote it all down, but nothing changed. And since my RNY, it's only worse.  I don't seem to absorb medications the same.

I have a new OB now so I'm going to discuss it with her but honestly my impressions were that hospital staff ultimately decided these things.

Thanks for reading if you make it this far!  You guys are the best.

Reminder to first time c-sectioners:  my case is unique..my friend who had her c-section the same day was literally up and going the end of that first day.  She felt great!  I was so jealous lol..felt like a big whiner!

-Jennifer

Discuss the issue with your OB and ask for a pain pump to be in place before your spinal or epidural wears off. I've had a pain pump 3 times out of 4 c-sections......lovely little contraption! They left it in place for the first 24 hours and then slowly decreased it. With my 2nd and 3rd children though I only had it for 24 hours. The 4th baby was when I had it for 24 hours then they started decreasing my amount then I was given Darvocet. That was an easy recovery and I actually went home a day early. I will be asking for the pain pump this time as well. I'm having a spinal and they wear off a lot faster than epidurals (at least in me they do!).

No one ever gave me any other options besides lortab...the pain pump sounds awesome.  I'm pretty sure that's what I had with my RNY and it worked great.  I will definitely ask about it.

Thanks!

-Jennifer

I had the pain pump already in place in recovery. The gave me something I beleive it was lortab after the 24 hours but it makes me horribly sick. I switched to percocet (sp?). It is a wonder drug! I had no one to help me take care of the baby in the hospital and he stayed with me right out of recovery. Once they put me on that I could get up and take care of myself and him no problem and no real drowsy effects either. Good luck!

 I'll ask for the pain pump then percocet..see how it works for me.  I think I need to be more forceful this time about having people actually listen to what I need.  My husband says I'm way too nice so maybe he can advocate for me lol.

The pain was unbearable last time and made it almost impossible for me to care for the baby in the hospital (husband had to stay home mostly and take care of my triplets).  This time he will be able to spend a lot more time with me in the hospital so hopefully he can help me.

-Jennifer

I haven't had a c-section but I have that "red head gene" too. They say that we have a higher tolerance for pain but also less sensitivity to pain meds. When I had my gall bladder out 1 1/2 years ago the Dr thought that I was a desperate drug seeker because I asked for a refill on my lortab after a few days. HE did finally break down and give me a few doses.

I agree that a pain pump is a miraculous device! It got me through after my RNY.

Good luck!

Liz

PS - I am just over 36 weeks and have been worrying about the actual arrival of this baby for a while. Of course this is #1 for me.

Yeah when I told the nurses and doctors at the hospital that the lortab did nothing, I got "the look".  Like I was just looking for more drugs.  It's funny because I hate taking meds of any kind...I just think a c-section is one of those times that it's ok to have proper pain management.  The fact that it took me 10 minutes to just roll over in bed to slide to my feet and walk the two feet to get my daughter when she cried to be fed or changed...it shouldn't have been that hard and painful.  I was crying by the time I was back in bed I hurt so bad.

-Jennifer

This will be my 4th section.  I pretty much felt the same after all of them... like fragile glass.  With my last section I think they mixed in morphine with my spinal... I think that is what they said.  All I know is that my nose was extremely itchy.  I didn't feel much in the way of pain right afterward.  Later that night I was uncomfortable... but they were giving me pain meds via IV... and the next day they switched me to percocet tablets.  That is what they sent me home with, too.  They must have made me feel ok, because I had the section on Monday morning... released Thursday afternoon and I think Friday we went to Ikea and walked around.  Although, I overdid it that day and paid the next week with some swelling in my pubic area and bruising in my abdomen.  I had to go back to the doc and he say to slow down and gave me another script.  So... even if you feel good enough to walk around and shop.. don't. LOL

Good luck
B

Yeah I've had morphine before and it made me feel crappy and itchy too!  I think I'll ask about the pain pump then the percocet.  People seem to have some luck with the percocet but I'm not sure I've ever taken it so we shall see!  I'm definitely going to try to take it real easy this time..I know I over did it last time for sure.  

Thanks for all the input guys!

-Jennifer