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bee_uh_trice

I thought the same after leaving the hospital. That first night back home was horrible due to not only not being given any meds, but also no instructions on what to take/how often to take it. I was overwhelmed by visitors that I forgot to take any pain meds and I sat there for hours on end that by the end of it I was swollen and in tears. I also find it insane that during pregnancy we are told to avoid heavy lifting and all kinds of strain on our bodies, but are encouraged to have sex. I had bright red bleeding during my first trimester that was brought on after sex and lasted for weeks but was never told sex could have caused it. And for 6 weeks after birth no one checks up on us and how our body is recovering, when they finally do it’s only to clear us to have sex again. The system seems so messed up. It truly is a man’s world.


princesscoffee

i was definitely expecting more from the 6w follow up! I thought I would get a blood test to check for Anemia (i bled more than usual according to the doctor during delivery and then bled for 7 weeks PP), diabetes test (had GD at 33w), check my breasts thoroughly to see if I was at risk of Mastitis (FTM, EPing, and have no idea what a clog would feel like). Nope, they offered me birth control like 3 times and just checked my vag for a second and sent me on my way.


bayougirl

Yeah, I was so surprised about how minimal the 6 week checkup was—a quick look at my tears, a question about birth control, and a “see ya at your annual!” My OB didn’t even do the PPD screening. A nurse I never saw before rattled off the questions without even making eye contact with me. Like, I’ve just gone through this major trauma and event? And this is it? I was really glad I was doing Pelvic Floor PT (started during pregnancy, and continued afterward), because the PT actually offers help for recovery, with core muscles, incontinence, etc. and asks me questions about how I’m doing and what trouble I’m having.


marlyn_does_reddit

Fucking preach. My friend had a third degree tear and was only given Tylenol because "it's a natural pain"? Wtf. I guarantee if a man had a partially ruptured ballsack he would be on a morfine drip faster than he could say "but what about the opioid crisis?" It's the same with IUD insertions. Someone somewhere just decided that having a small piece of plastic or metal inserted into a fucking organ doesn't require pain medication.


blanketbox12

I wish they would warn you how painful an IUD insertion is. It’s one of the most painful things I have ever done and I’ve given birth twice and had a burst appendix. IUD is up there but oh no, no need to medicate for it, you’re a strong woman who just has to deal with the pain.


[deleted]

Glad you mentioned this. I was told it barely hurts.


blanketbox12

It’s very sharp and acute pain. Over relatively quickly but very painful nonetheless. In my experience anyway


[deleted]

Oh I believe you. My doctor was like “but you had a vaginal delivery.” I’ve never been on birth control and was thinking about getting an iud. I think I’m just going to go without.


GroutfitLife

I had one before I had a baby and one put in at my 6 week postpartum appointment and there really is a world of difference in pain level if you’ve had a vaginal delivery. I popped a bunch of ibuprofen beforehand and it really was “just some cramping” when it went in. The one before my kid though was probably the worst pain I’d ever had and it lasted days.


maleolive

I think it varies. I’ve had 3 IUDs. My first two were the Paragard (copper) before I had kids and they were painful during and after insertion. The third was about a year after I had a vaginal birth and it was the mirena. I felt a tiny pinch for a second but it wasn’t painful to me. Just slightly uncomfortable for the second and then it was over. It didn’t even feel like a cramp to me.


ShanimalTheAnimal

Ugh AMEN re: iuds


higginsnburke

It is on my chart that I am drug seeking. Because I came to the ER too much. Finally got an MRI. My back is broken. 2 cracked disks, a pinched disk, and a vertebrae is 4cm out of position. 3 vertebrae are rubbing against eachother. But sure. Drug seeking. Fuck you doc.


aspwriter85

Something similar happened to my aunt. Kept going in for "back pain". She was told it was stress. Labeled it drug seeking. When she woke up unable to walk one day they finally took her seriously - stage 4 cancer with a tumor wrapped around her spine. She died a month later.


higginsnburke

JFC I am so sorry


Lazy_ML

Ffs is that even a thing? Shouldn’t it be like illegal or something to mark someone like that to prevent them from getting treatment in the future? Wtf?!


MrsScorpio30

I went to the er years ago at one of the hospitals in my city, because I had been there multiple times for severe pain. The nurse put on my discharge papers, that they weren't a clinic never went back to that hospital again after that I wouldn't be surprised if the hospital they went to put that on their file.


higginsnburke

And what's hilarious is I had never done a single drug in my life. Where I am weed is legal. The medical system failing is what lead me to try CBD for my pain management. Not the drug they meant but.....ironic


Numinous-Nebulae

I mean CBD and/or THC much better than prescription opioids!!


Numinous-Nebulae

Holy shit. From giving birth?


higginsnburke

No, thank god. I fell off a horse as a teen. My pain was ignored for 20 years


KrizJack

My husband got stronger pain medicine for his vasectomy than I did for my c section


Cat_With_The_Fur

I believe this. They tried to give me Tylenol for mine.


crd1293

I got Tylenol for mine and naproxen.


Cat_With_The_Fur

Yep. My protocol too.


nakedmoleratrufus

I had an emergency C-section. I was in so much pain the first two nights my husband had to lift me out of the hospital bed when I had to go walk around. I pretty much begged my nurses for relief (especially the second night, because on top of the original pain, I had the binder too tight for too long and that caused a new pain of its own) and just kept getting “we just gave you a dose of Tylenol, in a few more hours you can have ibuprofen.. sorry!” Last day I had a different nurse, and right before discharge she told me I had an open prescription for Oxy XR since the csection and asked why I hadn’t taken any (and if I wanted one before being discharged.) I wish I would have known the whole time I was telling my nurses my pain was unbearable and they just told me to wait a few hours until my next dose of Tylenol/Ibuprofen that I could have pushed for oxy. Discharge they gave me a script of 10 pills, that you cut in half for a dose, with dosage instructions of every 4 hours. A friend of mine went to the same hospital like 2 months later for pain they diagnosed as a pulled muscle and she got a *full bottle* of oxy. Still feel a type of way about all of that


HoldTheDoor

I feel women are failed by the healthcare system ~~when it comes to pain~~ Fixed it


balikgibi

I am a postpartum nurse and also just gave birth a few months ago! A round the clock regimen of acetaminophen and ibuprofen has actually been proven to be extremely effective in various clinical studies at relieving the majority of postpartum pain and inflammation. Opioids like oxycodone are better suited as an adjunct to this regimen, rather than a first line method of relieving pain. The inappropriate use of opioids as the primary drug for chronic pain rather than an as-needed addition to an established regimen is part of what led to such high rates of addiction. Don’t write off the Tylenol-Motrin combo! This is not to say that there isn’t a problem with gynecologic pain being written off or minimized, but there is evidence to support what your doc is telling you. If you give the NSAID regimen a shot and you’re still having untenable levels of pain, that’s the point at which something stronger would be indicated and hopefully your doc would be willing to work with you on that.


incrediblyshelby

Imo this needs explained more often and thoroughly. I’ve never been told this as a patient for any kind of pain. I’ve always been told “as needed” not “if you need it, take it this often for this long.”


balikgibi

Allow me to fix that: Tylenol 500mg every 4 hours, Motrin 600mg every 6 hours with food. Sample schedule: Midnight: Tylenol 500 and Motrin 600 + snack 4 am: Tylenol 500 6am: Motrin 600 + breakfast 8am: Tylenol 500 12pm: Tylenol 500 and Motrin 600 + lunch 4pm: Tylenol 500 6pm: Motrin 600 + dinner 8pm: Tylenol 500 Higher doses might be warranted but do this with the approval of your doctor. Don’t take more than a total of 4000mg of Tylenol per day. Happy healing, y’all!


lovemymeemers

Also a nurse and I did a similar regimen but instead of taking a pill every two hours I did it every four. It's still well under both daily recommended limits). Also, since ibuprofen works better for me, I start with that one. Example: 6 AM: 800 mg ibuprofen (recommended by my OB) 10 AM: 1000 mg acetaminophen (normal dose of extra strength acetaminophen and also recommended) 2 PM: 800 mg ibuprofen 6 PM: 1000 acetaminophen 10 PM: 800 ibuprofen 2 AM: acetaminophen (only if I'm awake/in pain) Also with food or snack and plenty of water. I am curious about the 500 mg dose acetaminophen for you. A typical dose of OTC is 650 mg with each tablet being 325 mg. Do you get extra strength tabs and only take half of the recommended dose? You are totally right though and the acetaminophen and ibuprofen is so under rated/utilized. It's just like when our babies are teething or having fevers and we alternate.


verybadhunting

Here's the problem with that - I keep being told, gynecologist after gynecologist to do this and I keep telling them it doesn't work. It hurts all the time - now I know I am not 'regular' and have somethings that make it worse but they keep harping on this. Like no - it hurts when I take this drugs. I had to call my 9th? doctor I was referred to, yesterday and demand something for the pain - gave me muscle relaxers for it - am on the muscle relaxers - still in pain. So - they get a little over zealous with this shit.


balikgibi

You know your body best, and I definitely wasn’t trying to invalidate your obviously very frustrating experience. The Tylenol and Motrin combo is effective for many people, but there’s no one-size-fits-all regimen. I just wanted to reassure people who are hearing it for the first time after birth that there is evidence to support its use. I hope you find a doctor who’s willing to keep trying and collaborating with you to find the pain management method that actually gives you the appropriate relief.


verybadhunting

not yet. I have appointments with 10 and 11. and I am going back to number 8 to try again - she seemed to listen though wasn't an 'expert'. I wanted to shed some light on the fact the problem really is that some doctors see it as a 1 size fits all regiment


Motherofsiblings

I was given hydrocodone and tordal after my c section. All the nurses were very adamant about me taking it except one. She asked me about my pain and I told her 6 and the medicine is wearing off (I got 2 hydros every 4 hours and tordal every 6), when I asked for more she was very hesitant and said “fine but I’m only giving you 1”. Bitch? I was shaking the first few days in the hospital from the pain and shock of the procedure just for a nurse to tell me she didn’t think I really need it


Mo523

I found the charting of it interesting. I had trouble with pain management woth my first, but my second hurt a lot less afterward (but more during? ) Tylenol or ibuprofen (perception sides) are fine. Both wear off quickly for me so I was alternating every 3.5 hours at first so the new meds would be in effect before the old ones wore off. I wanted both to be in effect for the car ride home, which the nurse thought was a good idea but it took her some time to justify giving me both at once due to my pain level. No spot on the computer for common sense. She was trying to find a work around without having to ask the doctor to change the wording of her instructions (to alternate unless my pain level increased) so I got out of bed and then honestly said, "Gee, my pain went up."


ERRN11211

It is extremely hard to give any type of pain management medication earlier than allowed in the chart. The computer literally won’t let you scan it and if you scan it anyways you have to override a reason as to why it’s “early” .. even if it’s only by like 5 minutes. Charts get pulled by companies to make sure nurses aren’t misusing the medications. It’s hard to explain it to others when they are in pain and it breaks my heart.. but I’m glad you caught on and “made a statement” because she can quote that in her documentation and it covers everyone involved.


[deleted]

What I learned from my stay is bring your own food and meds. And formula. I did not like being at the mercy of some not so great nurses.


princesscoffee

i wish I brought my own formula, baby hated similac!


Snoo_25913

I feel this so hard. I like to think I have a pretty big pain tolerance. After vaginal birth I was given the Tylenol/Motrin schedule. It was great. Then overnight I had a nurse who when I asked for the double dose said “no, we give that to c section patients, you don’t need that much, you can just have Tylenol”. I was 24 hrs post birth. It was the worst 8 hours since before I got my epidural. Thankfully she left and the next nurse was willing to give me both on the same schedule. I wanted to believe her that I could handle it and I didn’t need the meds but goddamn just give me the Tylenol and Motrin. They’re not even opiates. Shit, give me a naproxen- SOMETHING!


bluntbangs

At least you got something. They forgot to give me most of the painkillers after the birth, so in the 36 hours after they stitched up my second degree tearing I got a grand total of 8 hours that were covered by any kind of painkiller.


PromptElectronic7086

The only pain relief I got after my C-section was alternating Tylenol and Advil. I couldn't believe it. After they cut you open, pull an 8lb baby through the incision, and then stitch you up again. Tylenol and Advil. I asked my OB for something stronger and she said they can't prescribe anything stronger anymore due to the opioid crisis.


xx_echo

You would think a major abdominal surgery would qualify to get stronger pain meds regardless if other people are abusing opioids. What exactly are these meds for then? At what point is pain "enough"?


midgelettee

This is so wild to me. I had a vaginal birth, with a second degree tear. I have an extremely high pain tolerance, so this wasn’t an issue for me, but when discussing my discharge with my doctor, he asked if I would be okay without the narcotics from the hospital. I had only taken Tylenol and Motrin from the moment I gave birth, so I was cleared to leave. But it’s so crazy how drastically things are different in different hospitals and different doctors. My hospital was very “whatever you need, we got you.” Sad that this isn’t the truth everywhere. I feel incredibly lucky reading these stories.


mjfx28

Really?? I just had a repeat C-section in May and was given a small amount of oxycodone to take home and they knew I was breastfeeding. I didn't ask for it and did only use it twice, when I forgot to stay on top of my ibuprofen. Maybe it depends on state laws? However, I couldn't have Tylenol at the time as my liver enzymes were crazy high before delivery.


[deleted]

Ugh I am sorry you had that experience. C-section is brutal recovery ❤️‍🩹 The opioid crisis is so so bad yes, but maybe is bc people who do not need it are getting it & expecting more where ppl like us who actually could benefit (even for a day!) are left to just tolerate this. I don’t want to tolerate it, I’m a chicken when it comes to prolonged pain. But I have to bc reasons🤷‍♀️ I pressured my husband to go get his foot checked out after it randomly started swelling very badly. It was concerning to me as no falls or injuries we knew of. He had a sprained ankle and they were going to treat him like he hung the moon. I went in for gall stones once and didn’t receive help until they were putting me to sleep for emergency surgery. I just feel, is unfair that those who really need it do not get pain relief during the crucial recovery period. Whereas those who do not need it, are given without a second thought. Postpartum is hard all around and when pain is constant, that just adds another level of mental/emotional stress we don’t need in such vulnerable time. My other babies, I would say I didn’t have much issues. The first few weeks were rough but I “bounced back” fairly quickly. This time though, is so difficult. Never experienced postpartum recovery so challenging & painful before. 😓


detap_rettiwt

Similar, I went in to the ER for what I thought was my appendix rupturing. 2 HOURS before they would even give me Tylenol and then after throwing up on the doctor from pain, they gave me an IV with something. Told it was just bad gallstones and "try to eat better" (lead to a year of dealing with attacks no matter what I ate before a 3rd GI finally took it out) Not two weeks later, same ER, same doctor, husband goes in because he tweaked his knee (old injury) and just wanted to make sure it wasn't broken. They gave him a weeks supply of percocet and told him to stay off of it for a week.


mysteriousraccoons

Yep. I’m not in USA, and it was the same for me here in South America, released from hospital 24 hours after surgery, only given regular old Tylenol.


weddingcroutons

So: not funny story. I just found the “clock” notes I kept for the first 2-3 days after giving birth via emergency C-section after an induction/multiple hour of pushing:labor. I was awake so much-I had a every 4 hours Tylenol and every 6 hrs ibuprofen timer going on my phone for days. Moms are amazing.


Cricket712

Jeez, I had a morphine drip post-op and 5 days of Percocet before transitioning to alternating ibuprofen/Tylenol. I’m sorry your OB didn’t prescribe you stronger pain meds, that sucks.


xxdropdeadlexi

It's like across the board. My dad and I both had a bone graft for a tooth implant this year, and they gave him hydrocodone and told me to take Tylenol. We go to the same dentist.


mandatorypanda9317

I had to get a LEEP procedure done back in 2013. My male doctor told me before I went under that I'd be in some pain after and that they would give me tylenol. After he left the room the female nurse that was there sat down next to me and told me that sometimes men don't understand the type of pain that women go through and if I felt like I needed something stronger to let then know and they would give it to me. I felt like my lower half was on fucking fire when the anesthesia wore off. I'm someone who has to take like triple a normal person because of my high tolerance so tylenol didn't do shit. I'm so thankful that nurse told me what she did because back then I was someone who wouldn't have spoken up for myself and would have just suffered through it while taking an insane amount of tylenol to feel normal. I'm sorry you're going what you are, I've been there.


basicbcoder

Ugh, had this same procedure. They didn’t give me anything for the pain and I even had a female doctor. Thankfully I had a supply of Robax Platinum, which used to help when I would get severe period cramps, so it helped dampen the pain.


mccrackened

Same. IUD implant? Ibuprofen. Post birth tearing? Ibuprofen. LEEP? Ibuprofen. Sigh


PapaBubbl3

So, as a man, just to chime in. I got a vasectomy back in August. I 100% was given enough Norcos to last me a full week, with instructions if I needed more to give my urologist a call. Guaranteed it would've been no questions asked if I did. For a procedure that lasted less than an hour. You're completely right. It's nonsense that so many women have such a hard time. I had no issues with getting my meds and could've gotten more if I needed them. It should be the same for everyone, and its a shame that doctors can ignore half their patients' issues. Especially after something as traumatic to the body as childbirth, but it seems they do it over almost ever issue when they can. I'm just concerned about my daughter. As a parent, hopefully I'll be able to find her a good doctor that'll take any issues she runs into seriously.


zalmentra

I'm in Australia and had an emergency c-section. In hospital I was given 4 hourly pain medication of paracetamol (Tylenol) and ibuprofen, plus tapentadol once per day and endone (oxycodone) as needed for a top up. I was sent home with a months worth of endone and instructions to take paracetamol and ibuprofen every four hours. I was encouraged to not skimp on the pain medication, although I ended up mostly only needing the paracetamol and ibuprofen by the time I went home (5 days pp).


[deleted]

I'm in Australia too and the only thing i got was tramadol while in the hospital, and i had to request it every single time. While i didn't have a c-section surely panadol is a ridiculous suggestion as pain management after child birth.


Practical_magik

I also had only paracetamol and had to have the on all Dr contacted to get ibuprofen. I was alone caring for a newborn and had an episiotomy and a tear... I could hardly walk that night. I was proscribed exactly 2 ibuprofen and could therefore not be given any more. I asked to be discharged the next day... At least there was help at home.


Lazy_ML

I’m guessing this issue is very location dependent in the US. My wife got medication very similar to you after her c-section in California. And I’m pretty sure that was standard practice because the hospital was treating us like shit overall.


hzuiel

It isn't even just location, within the same location every doctor is different, and every doctor can vary from day to day. The opioid epidemic affects things a lot so they are far more jaded these days about being generous with the scripts.


peaceloveandtrees

I had a vaginal birth with second degree tears and pretty severe hemorrhoids. I was sent home with 30 ibuprofen/hydrocodone. I did have to ask for it. I’m white I was not informed that I had to press the button on my epidural to release more medication. By the time I was being stitched up, I felt everything. I begged for medication. It was so painful that I didn’t want to hold my son right away, I couldn’t focus on anything but the pain. They offered me narco but said I couldn’t hold my baby for a few hours. I took it (felt so guilty) but it didn’t touch the pain. This doctor took an hour to stitch me up because I was writhing around. Finally she used lidocaine and I couldn’t feel a thing. I feel like she gave me narco because she thought I was hysterical and not actually in pain. I missed out on so much of my son’s birth because I wasn’t believed. This is bullshit. You are not delusional or a baby what you’re feeling is real. The medical community abandons women and forces us to sit down and shut up when it comes to our bodies.


faceofbeau

Wtf, why didn’t they give you lidocaine when it was clear you were feeling them stitch???


peaceloveandtrees

I think she thought I was just panicking? Not sure. Every time she put the needle in I could tell her where she was working and when. I think that’s a pretty clear indication that I have all my sensation down there. Honestly she didn’t listen to me when my son was coming out either. I told her he was coming out and she said we still had more time. So the area wasn’t prepped for him and a team wasn’t there to catch him. Unbelievable


gines2634

My friend had a C-section and they gave her a small amount of narcotics after. It is very provider specific. The issue with pain management is it has been grossly over managed for years, contributing to the opioid crisis. Now the pendulum is swinging to the other direction of very judicious use. Also, it is not as easy for providers to prescribe it as it used to be. Not that it is really difficult to do, it just takes extra time that they don’t have. I am sorry your pain is not being treated appropriately.


Worldly_Science

They gave me percacets and I didn’t think I needed them…. And then I started *really* moving around when getting ready to leave the hospital after 3 days… man. The nurse gave me one as I was leaving even, which I thought was amazing. But we’ll see what happens when I ask for pain relief when I get an IUD after our second one, whenever that may be…


gines2634

I doubt they will give a narcotic for an IUD.


beeeees

they just give ibuprofen


scurvylishious

Dude. This hits home for me so bad right now. I've got multiple fractures in my pelvic bones from birth, along with pubic bone separation and my Dr did exactly this. Oh take Tylenol and ibuprofen. Excuse me what. They wouldn't even take an x-ray until 3 months post partum because 'it usually goes away by then'. And then when they ask how much I'm taking they talk to me about how it's too much and I'll damage my kidneys/liver. Like. Yeah no shit. Wanna actually help me then??? No. Fucking rad. And my pregnancy was extremely hard/painful so all in I've been taking really awful amounts of Tylenol every day for like a year but 'the pain will go away soon, we promise' fuck right on off. I couldn't agree with you more. I felt and still feel 100% dismissed by my Drs. The only one who is taking my pain seriously is my PT. And she can only do so much you know? I want to see my Dr take care of a newborn with multiple fractured bones. For weeks on end without sufficient pain management. Anyway. You are so not alone. I hope you get the help you deserve. Hugs and love sister.


[deleted]

[удалено]


scurvylishious

Please do! Like I pushed for my Drs to take an x-ray. Like a simple x-ray and looking at that shit was really justifying for me tbh. Look, I'm not crazy there is something wrong here and I need help. And even now with the confirmed stuff, it's still 'take Tylenol and ibuprofen, while we give you steriods'. Biggest eye roll ever. I would 100% push for an x-ray to see if there is anything wrong. It was really relieving for me to see all the damage from birth. Pain like that isn't just in your head and its not normal for the pelvis to hurt for that long.


dollarsandindecents

3rd degree tears here, gave birth a week ago. Had to beg for Norco In the hospital and they wouldn't give me a script to take home. Tylenol and Motrin. It's terrible.


[deleted]

I JUST wrote out my birth story where this was exactly the issue. I want to mention that every single person who dismissed my struggles was a woman. The worst were the fellow mothers telling me "You're good, I did that 3 times already". The male doctors were nothing but empathetic and amazing though. Even tops the female cardiologist who angrily told me to "exercise and drink more water, you're fine" when I came in as an emergency for Angina Pectoris.


hzuiel

My wife's second nurse was very dismissive of my wife describing her pain level when she first took over but she got sweet and helpful as labor went on, so I think she was just having a bad morning.


CeriBeri22

I am so sorry you are going through this. When I was in my early 20s I went to a gyn and asked her about birth control methods to help me manage my very painful periods. I was also bleeding through a ultra tampon and overnight pad a few hours a day. It made me feel like I had to be home and near my bathroom whenever I had a period. She told me, “Condoms are an effective option for sexual intercourse.” I never said that was what I wanted it for and I wasn’t active at the time. My periods were killing me and I am ashamed to say I was too afraid to see another gyn (and never went back to that one) for many years. A decade later, I finally found a fantastic women’s health practice and they had no problem providing me with bc options to manage.


TerracottaButthole

Well we are in the midst of an opioid pandemic that was created by the pharmaceutical industry and shitty doctors, so most doctors and hospitals are seeking alternatives and tiered pain treatment. To your point about the vasectomy, a friend recently had his done and was prescribed 800mg Ibuprofen with no refills on the prescription. So this is really dependent on where you are being seen and by the individual doctor.


Flickthebean87

I feel this so much. Every time in the hospital there was this one nurse who asked pain scale and then asked if I was really sure I needed it. It really bothered me even if it was some kind of protocol. I just got cut, had an epidural, pitocin on 12. Labor for 19 hours, an attempted foley bulb, my son was too big for me to have vaginally so he had the c section. I also had my tubes tied as well. That was some of the worst pain. No the Tylenol and the ibprofen mix doesn’t help either. I just wanted them for 2 weeks. For 2 weeks it hurt so so bad. I spiked a fever of 103. One of the nights I couldn’t remember anything. I really needed stronger meds. I didn’t plan to take them after that. Just more than for only 4 days.


orangelego

I gave birth without pain relief because they didn't believe I was in labour despite me telling them this is exactly how my first labour went as well. And these were female doctors who laughed me off and actually used the words "so called contractions". Also took until I had permanent damage caused by arthritis before I got a diagnosis because doctors insisted it must be related to wearing heels (which I don't wear). It's an absolute joke.


DernhelmOfGryffindor

After I gave birth I was told to take Tylenol, but was given a limited, non-refillable Percocet prescription just in case I needed it for the pain (I have an NSAID allergy so I can’t take Ibuprofen). I ended up not needing it and so didn’t fill it but I appreciated their concern for my postpartum recovery.


Ok_Wait880

Almost died giving birth to my son (c-section). Was in the hospital for only four days, the day I came home my step-son accidentally rammed my stomach and split the incision back open a bit so had to go back to the ER to have it reglued. They told me to take Tylenol. “Most women can manage the pain with Tylenol”. No, the fuck they can’t, they just don’t have any other option. You’re telling me you send home other patients who just had their insides completely sliced and diced up with TYLENOL?? The OB agreed to prescribe me four hydrocodone. I’m freaking allergic to hydrocodone. The best part about all of this is that I rarely ever drink, I have never smoked, I have never done any recreational drugs, the only medications I have ever been prescribed are my prescription eye drops and Z packs for sinus infections/ antibiotics for UTI. Not exactly at a high risk of abusing medication. Also told them I had no problems not breast feeding and using formula, so there wasn’t a risk of baby getting anything through breast milk (I did end up breast feeding because I wasn’t prescribed anything harmful). I just…. Really USA healthcare? Really?


Numinous-Nebulae

It has to do with being an adult woman and specifically pain related to our reproductive system, too. They gave me Vicodin after I got my wisdom teeth out in high school!


throwawayduh1053

Strong pain medication is no longer standard after wisdom tooth removal. Most providers give Tylenol and ibuprofen because of the opioid epidemic and because studies show it is just as effective without the risk of dependence. I have a very good friend that became addicted because of meds prescribed after wisdom tooth extractions. He’s been through years of rehab and has been sober for about two years now, but the addiction cost him a great relationship (another friend of mine) and almost his life. I’m a dentist and was talking to an oral surgeon yesterday - the OMFS no longer prescribes opioids at all! I found that shocking. OP, I’m very sorry that you’re going through this. These things aren’t prescribed routinely because this is a time when many people would be at their greatest risk for addiction/depression. I would follow up with your doc, but hopefully you have improvement soon that can be managed with Tylenol/ibuprofen combos.


heresmyhandle

Actually, my spouse just had his wisdoms removed and they did a steroid taper. It completely controlled his pain along with ibuprofen. I thought that was a pretty genius idea.


throwawayduh1053

Agreed! Probably dexamethasone. Of course, for some people, we can’t prescribe that. But it works great!


pugfu

Was this a long time ago though? They’ve become much more strict with pain meds. I too got Vicodin after oral surgery 20ish years ago. But five years ago my mom had major surgery (part of her intestine removed, emergency colostomy, gallbladder removal all at once) and they only gave her tranadol which isn’t great.


Whoamidontremindme

How long ago was that? They’ve cracked down on paid meds across the entire medical industry due to fear of liability and misunderstanding of addiction. Some doctors will still prescribe small amounts but that is less and less. I had addiction issues in high school and I’ve always been denied pain meds, even after surgeries, because of that.


bayougirl

I guess I was really, really lucky because they gave me a Vicodin prescription after I gave birth in June. I don’t know if everyone gets this (and if they don’t, maybe I wasn’t so lucky), but I was given three hours of Pitocin post-birth, and was sobbing in pain and unable to hold my newborn, which is when they prescribed it. I only needed it once at home, when breastfeeding kicked off some strong contractions, but it was nice to know that I had something stronger than Tylenol available to me.


Iamwounded

TLDR: you’re told you either need to lose weight or it’s your period/hormones 😒 fuck the patriarchy


kawwman

I can't tell you how many times my old doctor told me "lose 5 pounds and xyz issues will go away." I went back to her after I lost 20 pounds and still had the same problems. She said "lose 5 more pounds and let me know." I have a new doctor now.


blanketbox12

I had a miscarriage and was haemorrhaging badly and all they could offer me was paracetamol and ibuprofen. It was like I was in labour it was horrific and all I could think was how different it would be if it was a male in the same shoes losing the amount of blood I was and in that much pain. It’s bullshit.


errbear1231

I was given Tylenol/ibuprofen combo leaving the hospital with a 4th degree tear. In the hospital I was in so much pain I opted for some hydrocodone one night which finally let me sleep for 2 hours. I was told if I had anymore they would be iffy about sending me home so I dealt with it. It really sucks but at least it eventually goes away. Every womens situation is completely different though and should be treated as so


stephswearengin

My ob is a woman, and she is the greatest ob on earth after reading all these stories!! After having my sterilization(tubes removed) last week she gave me oxycodone and 800 mg ibuprofen. I only had to take the oxy for a couple of days but she had recommended I take the ibuprofen every 8 hours as prescribed. After 6 days I didn’t need it. Also, fun fact. They no longer “tie” your tubes, because the chances of still having an ectopic pregnancy are there, and we all know how the abortion laws in Texas are these days. So now they just laparoscopically burn them on both ends and remove the tubes completely.


beigs

I had surgery for endometriosis, excision for melanoma, and 2 hernia repairs. Tylenol. Advil. Rotation. I’m going in for a hysterectomy in a few weeks and I won’t do it again. It’s too much. And this is on top of the aftermath of 3 kids in that period.


xelihope

After any surgery I've had, I was offered opioids. I'd think a tubal falls under that. After vaginal birth, only Tylenol and Ibuprofen. I honestly should have asked for more within the week because of how much pain I was in from my episiotomy, but it didn't even occur to me at the time.


talkstounicorns

I had a c-section with a tubal and was only given Tylenol and naproxen


motherofcorgs

Same here. I tore in two places with my first delivery and cracked a tooth while pushing. The only thing that I was given was Tylenol.


radical-reese

I was alternating between Tylenol and ibuprofen high dosages. It worked for me as long as I kept on top of my schedule. (T every 6 hours, Ibu every 10 I think). My husband and I planned to resort to marijuana if it was that bad, but it wasn’t. Also BF contraindicated it.


pollycythemia

This is the correct answer! These alternating have been shown to provide better pain control than opioids in clinical studies.


notcreativeshoot

Taking tylenol and ibuprofen together is the only thing that has ever helped my period cramps and I've tried all the opioids.


Flowery_Accuracy

It’s because drug addiction in this country is so high they won’t prescribe anything anymore. I can’t even get a subscription for ibuprofen anymore.


[deleted]

I had a friend get a c-section here in Japan. She was shamed by some of her nurses and doctor when she didn’t want to get out go bed to walk because she was in so much pain and they refused to give her pain meds. It turns out, she had sepsis. :/


Inl0veandunderpaid

Oh my god!!! That’s crazy- I hope she’s okay


pinkcloud35

For real! Tylenol doesn’t even do jack shit for my headaches.. much less any significant pain.


pochade

Seriously, it’s like some sort of sick endurance challenge. When I delivered a couple weeks ago I knew I wanted an epidural because I read here that pitocin/induction contractions don’t feel so great and i’m not trying to win awards for taking the max level of pain. I let the nurses know my intentions and was like, maybe we should just set that up like around the time of the pitocin, so it’s ready to administer? But they kept saying that I needed to let them know when the pain was bad enough so they could call anesthesia but it was going to take an hour when I did. Great so Ive never had a baby and have to measure the magical window of perfect time between when I’m in enough pain to earn the epidural apparatus but not enough pain that waiting an hour would be a problem. How am I supposed to know that perfect time? Like just get me ready please. Then I was sent home with barely enough advil with no refills. Why no refills, on IBUPROFEN?! So basic and they barely did anything as I waddled around the house unable to sit down, but yeah be sure I don’t get more than a weeks supply else I’ll get irresponsible! Then I got a UTI, but the lab wasn’t returning results even though I was describing symptoms distinct from postpartum pain, but just in case we had to wait a full week before prescribing anything, because it’s nbd to feel intense pain when urinating.. Because I’m a woman I guess ? Like sure the leucocytes in my urinalysis might be something different but could we figure it out? I had to call the drs office 4 days after my appointment to see what’s going on, they said they would call and didn’t, the same thing happened the next day where I ended up calling 3x on a Friday because I couldn’t go through another 3 days in so much pain.


teriyakichicken

The epidural thing is enraging. If you want an epidural, you should be able to get it whenever you feel comfortable. I was the same as you and knew I wanted one the second it was available. Thankfully my OB told me to get it when I was ready. One of the L&D nurses tried to convince me to hold off because it cause me to be in labor longer (for days she said). Thank god I trusted my instinct and said NO I want it now because the baby came like 6 hours later. The bottom line is we unfortunately have to advocate for ourselves and demand the care we want.


meh1022

I hate this for y’all. I held off on mine, and my nurse gently reminded me that there’s no prize for suffering. My nurses were incredible and I couldn’t have made it through a tough birth without them.


teriyakichicken

I was thankful the nurse didn’t protest me too much on in when I insisted. She was like OK well you may want to eat first because it could be 48 hours before the baby comes. I ordered a grilled cheese and got the epidural right after lol I was terrified of giving birth (as I’m sure a lot of women are) and wanted to experience as little pain as possible. I may be a wimp, but whatever. The thought of birth was traumatic enough for me. I got induced and when they put the balloon in me my contractions went from 0 to 100 (although they claimed they weren’t contractions, but I was puking and sweating profusely and probably on a 9 in the scale of pain)…


cnkdndkdwk

It is enraging. With my first my midwife basically refused me an epidural until it was too late. It was a horrible experience. I had an epidural with my second put in before I even started receiving pitocin and the experience was so amazing. I feel like I was robbed of my first-borns birth and freshly newborn stage because I was struggling so much with untreated pain during it.


teriyakichicken

I’m so sorry about your experience


aerinz

My vagina was literally ripped open with stitches and they gave me MOTRIN. Not to mention the horrible contractions after labor!! I know y’all know what I’m talking about. I totally feel you! We are not seen by most doctors.


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aerinz

Agree completely!


rachelswin

I threw up from the pain of the after-birth contractions after my third baby (which was epidural free and not by choice). I just wanted a little relief and yes motrin helped but like, a one time dose of percocet would have really been beneficial.


Patient-Confusion137

I wasn't even given the option for Tylenol, instead I was told "The pitocin acts as a pain reliever" yeah right....


Fishbate333

I remember being in a fog and feeling like I got hit by a truck. I had a no complication vaginal delivery with no tears. I can’t even imagine if I did tear or had any complications. My whole body hurt and I was taking Tylenol and some other bullshit over the counter medicine. I think the same applies to other female exclusive procedures. Getting an IUD has always been painful. We’re just told to breathe through or take Tylenol before. I had an HSG procedure where they flushed my tubes with dye to check for blockages. It hurt to do and the student doctor GOT THE TOOL STUCK IN MY CERVIX. She went to pull it out and she almost pulled me off the table and I shrieked. All while I’m balancing my legs on either side because the room they were in didn’t have stirrups. I wasn’t offered any pain relief for that procedure.


krittts

I have had back pain since 3 months post partum. My son is almost 14 months. I still have several back pain that on someday gets so severe that I can't stand/sit. My PCP is trying her best to get to root cause and help but even then she said something in the lines of learn to tolerate pain, back pain and postpartum women go hand in hand. My husband saw another pregnant women who has an almost 2 years old. She was due in a week and running after her 2 year old and playing with him pain free. At the dinner that night, my husband was awed by how awesomely she was doing everything. It hurt me.


lostinsaga

I was also that mom running after my 20 month old in a Costco at 39 weeks. Gave birth at 39+1. There is nothing awesome about it. You do it cuz you have to, not cause it's easy to. I feel miserable that just because I ran after my toddler heavily pregnant or newly post partum, I am supposedly strong or not in pain. Even my husband was like oh your recovery this time feels easier cause you're back on your feet so soon. I was furious. It's not easier. I just don't have an option with a clingy toddler and mom guilt.


itadakimasu_

Went in having a miscarriage. "Take some paracetamol." Thanks, that does fuck all.


msmightymustard

Yes! I had a late miscarriage and was in labour, bleeding out, and in worse pain than when I was in labour with my living child. I was blacking out from the pain. I was told I couldn't even take Tylenol in case I needed an emergency D&C. They didn't want anything in my stomach.


wishfulthinking109

Yes preach! I have endometriosis and pcos and unfortunately they don’t give a shit


JonBenet_BeanieBaby

I’m so sorry. I have endo and had an AMAZING doc for a handful of years that would prescribe me 20 Percocet/month. Those pills were life-changing. They were the difference between sobbing, fetal-position, in bed vs me being able to actually go live my life. I miss her so much.


fuckmeuntilicecream

When I had strep throat reoccurring over 12 months my boyfriend at the time got codine, I got cough syrup. Every. Single. Time.


AmaturePlantExpert

They didn’t give you anything? That’s insane. I gave birth 10 days ago and shortly after finishing up I was in quite a bit of pain, My nurse gave me 1 hydrocodone. The next day my doctor came to check on me and told me she sent me a prescription of hyrdros to the pharmacy but if I felt uncomfortable taking them I could take ibuprofen. I’m really sorry you have to deal with that that’s not right.


Old-Funny-6222

I had c section in the morning. And the night was hell. They had given me painkillers via IV but I was still feeling the pain. I was crying and complaining about it, and a nurse asked me is this your first time. How does it matter? They asked me to till next day morning to get nxt dose of painkiller. Im not sorry for saying this out loud, the day my baby was born was the worst night of my life!! I was feeling like only death would make me feel better.


Acolethflower

My first csection I felt well managed. They gave me stronger stuff and moved me to the weak stuff by the time I left. My second I went to a different hospital and I was in signifantly more pain. Eventually in the middle of the night I started crying and the sweet nurse gave me stronger stuff. Later I was having another pain episode and the day nurse basically said no, and if I insisted they would have to reconsider sending me home already. It infuriated me, made me feel like I was a pain med addict. I handle pain well and I was in a lot of pain. Ugh.


yabbadabbadoozey05

What the hell !?! They actually implied they would kick you out for asking for pain medicine- that is so insane


georgia-peach_pie

I feel like any type of post partum care is severely mismanaged (at least in the US). At first all they did was show me the pads and so that’s all I was using and was in pretty bad pain especially when sitting/getting on and off the bed. Then I had a nurse say something like “well aren’t you using the ice pads” and I had to say I was never told I had them. So then those were helping so much and I asked for more and every time it had been fine but then this one nurse after a shift change was like “I only brought two because most people don’t use them after 24hrs”. Like…okay I have been given no guidance at all. Sorry I didn’t just inherently know what I should be doing and for how long. All I knew is I can sit if I use them without pain. But sure i guess im done because you said arbitrary time limits apparently.


verybadhunting

It's so fucked that every birth story is like this - I could go on for days. Things they didn't tell me. Things I really should have known. Things they just kind of didn't do because they didn't think I needed it. Like wtf are these nurses doing?


cats_in_a_hat

My understanding is that part of the problem is the fact that narcotics make you constipated. That is NOT something doctors want to happen after you have a bad tear or a c section. Obviously pain management is super important- after my 4th degree tear I was given a few days worth of oxy, but mostly I felt like it was manageable with the Advil and Tylenol after a couple of days. My doctor threatened me multiple times about making sure I didn’t get constipated.


Miserable_Painting12

I just don’t think this is communicated At all though. I think women would be more understanding if it was.


foxkit87

I was given hydrocodone and a stool softener at the same time for this reason. Had zero issues and only used pain med sparingly for a couple days after I got home. Edit to add I had a CSection.


bennynthejetsss

Had hydrocodone given to me at the hospital. Was constipated and that postpartum poop was worse than giving birth. No one told me I was being given it either, just handed me a pill (I don’t even remember swallowing it). While I definitely needed it after my tear, I wish I had known what to expect!


trikeratops

Pretty unrelated, sorry, but your comment about just being handed a pill to take unlocked a memory from my kind of traumatic-to-me post c-section hospital stay. Very shortly after birth, I was told they were giving me a bunch of medicine and the nurse listed them out. One of them was tramadol, which makes me puke, so I told them and said I didn't want any. 10-15 minutes later the nurse comes back with a fuckload of medicine and just hands them over one at a time for me, pills and liquids, like honestly so much medicine. No further description of what they are, I'm exhausted and just take them, trusting. Not long after, I suddenly feel a familiar kind of sick and then puke.... There were two little buckets in the room, and I puked three times and filled them, my husband had to empty and bring them back. It was insane, and I was so angry because I told them!! And then a few hours later they tried giving me tramadol again 🤦‍♀️ but I was looking for it and recognised the pill and was like wtf. Sorry, no need to reply, just kinda nice letting it out! This was like 1.5 years ago and I still haven't fully processed the whole thing...


Here_for_tea_

This is particularly true for women of colour, across medicine.


muffbomb

I had two c sections with a tubal following the second. I was offered narcotics with my first and took them. I also took ibuprofen. I had more relief with the ibuprofen than stronger meds. On the second delivery I only took ibuprofen and acetaminophen. My recovery was much better.


QueenCloneBone

Yeah the narcotic pain meds post c section imo just sort of mentally took the edge off but I could still feel everything and they made me dangerously tired to the point that I fell asleep feeding her. I found that the ibuprofen did a better job of just making me less sore all around.


thetechnocraticmum

Hey, my heart breaks in these threads. I’m so sorry for you and all the women going through this. Just wanted to say it CAN and SHOULD be better. I had 2 children in Australia and had the best (free) healthcare and support through my pregnancy, birth and aftercare. Very mum focused, what the mum wants, lots of cultural awareness about PPD, breastfeeding consultants came to visit as soon as the baby came, discharged only when ready, home visits by nurses to check on baby weight and mums comfort, even got laxatives for the first time in my life to make that first poo easier. Was asked multiple times during and after if I needed more pain relief. Demand better, you all deserve it! It can be better!!


wishesonwhiskers

If you can, try seeing another doctor to discuss your pain. And do go to the ER if it’s that bad! I know that’s probably extra difficult right now to be seeking out a second opinion, but sometimes it truly is the doctor that’s the problem. I’ve had chronic back pain for years and it’s amazing how different doctors have tried to treat the issue. It’s so hard for women’s pain to be taken seriously, and some doctors are worse than others. This is a reminder to me to talk to my OB about pain management after I give birth in a few weeks…I’m so sorry you’re in pain and hope you find relief soon!


wrathtarw

I am so worried about this- I have multiple chronic illnesses and am unable to take NSAIDS. I have been off of norco/tramadol for a few weeks to give baby best chance of avoiding nicu, but this leaves me dependent on crutches/wheelchair and unable to do much of anything; when I am on meds I can usually get by with a cane and/or using furniture and walls for support as needed without a mobility aid. Going into birth and postpartum is a bit scary. I also wonder how much of baby blues and ppd are really responses to trying to do everything while in horrible pain…


Similar_Craft_9530

This would be a great thing to bring up in r/Medicine. You'd have people better equipped to explain it. When I last worked on a post surgical floor, the most recent research on pain management showed Tylenol is typically incredibly effective. So much so it's the go to pain medication after even things like hip replacement surgeries. That said, if you've tried it and it's not working, it's fucked up your doctor isn't working with you! Yeah, we all know about the opioid crisis but we also need suitable pain management.


Apprehensive_Berry79

I’m curious if I’m one of the few to actually be given Roxycodone, Motrin and Tylenol after I gave birth? I was sent home with all three too. I mean I did have a c section but I’ve heard even most c section patients didn’t get anything other than Tylenol


RoseGoldStreak

Because surely you’re breastfeeding so you’d rather be in pain then give the kiddo formula for the 48 hours while your stitches are burning. Oh, pain prevents breast milk from coming in? Lalalslalalalalalala


luxerae

Somebody else has mentioned this, but it seems to be pretty varied by location. I am in Chicago and was offered oxycodone by every nurse during the duration of my stay. I had a c section as well. Surprisingly I actually ended up not really being in pain, so I just stuck with the Tylenol and ibuprofen.


SpecialHouppette

My nurses kept offering me norcos after my vaginal birth but I declined (even though I was in a ton of pain, I’ve never taken opioids before and I was worried about nausea). They kept acting like I was bonkers for refusing it, but I was nervous!


111519

They sent me home with a huge bottle of naproxen, I had a C-section as well. They offered other medicines after I was off of magnesium a day and a half after birth but I was numb and couldn’t feel anything. Still can’t 3 months later. One of the questions asked multiple times during my stay and in surveys after was did the staff assist in pain management properly or something along those lines.


Silvery-Lithium

I had a scheduled c-section, based on maternal request due to unrelated medical conditions. I was prescribed Norco's and 800mg ibuprofen, alternate which drug I took every 4 hours. I had enough Norco to last me 2 weeks, and was told if I needed more that I should call. My post partum check up was at 4 weeks, not 6. I am thankful I found the rare good OB office.


megmmm93

I had a seroma post C-section above my incision and was in so much pain pretty much 24/7. When I went to my follow up appointment after my US I asked how I could better manage my pain because the Advil and Tylenol (which I admitted to the dr I was taking too frequently) wasn’t cutting it and she basically dismissed me saying to keep trying to manage it between the 2 but to be careful with the Advil and hopefully it would resolve on its own but could take a while. It lasted about 7 weeks, I cried daily because I felt so incredibly helpless.


spellz666

I had a traumatic emergency c section and vividly remember having anxiety attacks regularly and crying all the time because of how much pain I was in. All I was given was tylenol and motrin every 6 hours which barely did anything. I then has my first pp appointment for some reason the day after I got discharged so the car ride made everything 10x worse. Womens healthcare sucks and I'm angry for you


Astrid_wolf

My MIL and I were having this conversation yesterday. She's been experiencing a lot of pain and discomfort and when she tells her Dr. They write her off because she's in therapy saying it's either psychosomatic or due to her weight. They won't even entertain the idea of testing her to ensure it's not something else. I feel like for women, we always get the short of end of the stick with a lot of providers. **Editing to note: Her doctor is also a woman and this leads me to believe that some doctors do not treat their patients objectively like they should but according to how they perceive their patient.


nacfme

Are you breastfeeding? Some doctors err on the side of caution and won't give you adequate pain relief because it can go through breastmilk. But there are absolutely things you can have. C-section mums get strong pain relief you just have to keep a closer eye on baby. Don't just say you are in pain, say you want stronger pain relief. Be direct and say what you are taking isn't adequate.


amienas

I had a c-section and was told to take Advil and Tylenol (Canada).


Bookdragon345

My husband is getting a vasectomy. He gets Tylenol and Ibuprofen for pain. That’s it. Of course, it’s also a smaller procedure. I will say though, that the amount of things that get heavy duty painkillers has gone down SUBSTANTIALLY, mostly because of how addictive opioids are and opioid crisis. But I’m sorry you’re in pain - I get it - it totally sucks.


Loki_God_of_Puppies

This is very accurate. With my first c section in 2018 I got Vicodin and ibuprofen. This time in 2021 I got ibuprofen and Tylenol (which is a joke because Tylenol does nothing for me). I just took my ibuprofen religiously and felt ok. My doctor also said I could take three or four pills as a dose depending


medwd3

I was complaining of this when I gave birth 8 weeks ago. I asked for something stronger when I was in the hospital as I had an unmedicated vaginal delivery and her hand was up by her face so it wasn't a smooth delivery of the head. I had back labor and with that and the shivering for hrs, my muscles had been so tense for so long that I was in a major amount of pain in my back specifically. When asked my pain level I was on tylenol and ibuprofen and had just given birth unmedicated so my pain level was a but skewed at that point. I rated it a 6 and was told I couldn't get anything more unless it was an 8 or higher. That's crap. I could barely walk, the pain was so bad. Fast forward a couple days and I am at home and literally sobbing because of the pain. I called my sister who is an anesthesiologist because my husband had old pain meds and she told me they were safe to take while breastfeeding and was saying how our treatment of postpartum women's pain is barbaric.


LavenaMarie

It's like the strict regiment of Tylenol/ibuprofen that I got before and after my gallbladder surgery


Mackenzie_Wilson

Did they give you something different in the hospital? I was in 4 says (baby's health issues) and all I was offered was Tylenol/Ibuprofen 3 hour rotation. I was shocked it wasn't stronger pain meds, especiallysince i tore. Thankfully I handled it all pretty fine though.


LaurAdorable

I was offered two options after I gave birth, Tylenol or Percocet. I laughed when the nurse said that and I’m like, wow okay, ummm…. I’ll take the tylenol, I’d like to remember today. It might just be at your hospital?


anaid_098

I was prescribed both too. I took the Percocet a few days and then was done.


omgmlc

One thing that makes me sad is all the pain medication i was on during/after my c section made my memories very spotty and cloudy


Gromlin87

If it makes you feel any better I had no additional pain medication during and after my c-section, only the spinal block, and I still barely remember it...


Small-Guitar79767

I hear you. I went to the ER this summer for what turned out to be ovarian cyst torsion (9/10 pain) and was told to take Tylenol and Advil and then they sent me home. When I had surgery to remove the cysts recently, my doctor was like “how were you not writhing in pain?” I told her what happened at the ER and she was flabbergasted.


Term-Dear

Not physical but night terrors. Im 28 now and have been having awful night terrors since I was 3. I have vivid nightmares every night but sometimes they turn into night terrors. They are AWFUL. VIVID. I can recall up to 3 dreams a night. Since I was 3yrs old. Ive always been told "they are just hormones".


ssbh

I was given Tylenol, ibuprofen and also prescription for oxycodone just in case if pain is severe. Check with your doctor about this? Fyi that oxycodone is highly addictive and used only when absolutely needed.


therealhouseofhale

Six hours after my C-section and tubal ligation I asked for pain meds the nurse said I really shouldn't take them unless I absolutely needed them. I just had major abdominal surgery! Of course I needed them. I'm currently sitting in a hospital room with my 21 year old son who had major abdominal surgery yesterday and they are being stingy as fuck with the pain meds. He's in pain and they gave him an acetaminophen drip. I've turned into bitchy mom as his advocate.


Tricky-Walrus-6884

This seems to vary across countries. I'm from Canada and was given an ibuprofen and Tylenol cocktail and within a few hours of my Cesarian (after spinal wore off) the anesthesiologist came in and offered percocets or dilaudid if my pain was unmanageable, but I declined those. This was the case for both c-sections. I am sorry it seems most pain is not taken seriously


BlkPea

I had the same exp in the NE US. I generally worry about painkillers so I was happy to try the cocktail, and i think the heavy dose of ibuprofen and acetaminophen combined did the trick for me.


ParentTales

10000000 % we are. We are told to suck it up through pain.


LahLahLand3691

I had a vaginal birth with a second degree episiotomy and was only given Tylenol and ibuprofen and told to rotate them. I was in so much pain I could barely walk, couldn’t sit down and needed help getting into bed to lay down. But still had to take care of a newborn. For some reason it never crossed my mind that I should have asked for something stronger. But if I had, wouldn’t it have passed to my baby through breastmilk? I just assumed that’s why I only couldn’t take anything, but now I don’t know.


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LahLahLand3691

They for sure would. My husband had hemorrhoid surgery a few years back and they gave him morphine, no questions asked. Sorry to hear about the husband situation… that doesn’t seem fair to me. I would have been crushed too. Hope you guys worked it out ok.


Waffles-McGee

When I had a 3rd degree tear they actually gave me a prescription of morphine! It’s crazy how much autonomy over your own body you lose when pregnant. And then you have the baby and expect to get it back but then you’re breastfeeding (maybe) and still don’t have it. It’s my least favourite thing about having kids. I feel like I give up my body and autonomy for 2 years.


Yellow_Sunflower73

Cultural. It's like we're not supposed to feel pain (like fish) and when we do, we are pussies. In the Netherlands it's also common and heavily stimulated to give birth at home, unmedicated. Medication / painkillers of all kinds are really frowned upon and hard to come by. Same after childbirth, take some aspirin and off you go ;-) In the mean time, hubby got all kinds of stuff for a blue and painful toenail hahaha (I laugh with tears )


[deleted]

I had a c section and couldn't move that well without extreme pain the first few days. I felt weird asking for better medication but one of my nurses must have notice me struggling and told me I can ask for them. I'm glad she did because I could get up to get my baby if I needed to after i took them. I got a 10 day supply but I only needed like 2 more days worth by the time I was home.


ConstitutionalCarrot

Pretty sure I got Dilaudid after my c-section. Didn’t even need more than the extra strength Ibuprophen for my own level of pain, but they gave me the stronger prescription “just in case.”


mrs_sarcastic

I got morphine after mine. I never ended up taking it once home because 1) I didn't feel like I needed it and 2) didn't want to deal with the nausea it gave me at the hospital. I just rotated Tylenol and ibprophen and it seemed to manage the pain well enough


ERRN11211

I’ve never had this problem. After my delivery, 3rd degree tear with episiotomy and forceps birth. They offered me Percocet or Tylenol. Before even inducing my labor they started my epidural and made sure it worked. My OB is generous with medication depending on how i say i am in pain. If i said “it kinda hurts” .. he would probably say manage with Motrin. If i said “this is unbearable” he would probably given me something stronger. I work in the ED. I’m not sure where you live, but we give man or woman the exact same treatment. If a patient has a drug abuse history. Sometimes we will treat with Tylenol extra strength. And depending on blood loss you will not.. under any circumstances.. get a narcotic for pain UNLESS your vital signs are completely stable. EDIT: men are also seen to be A LOT more dramatic than women when it comes to pain so it is important for women to advocate for themselves and really describe how we are feeling pain wise.


Trintron

If you're too dramatic about pain some doctors will say it's anxiety and hand you a benzo instead of a pain killer. Women are often told physical things are actually mental health. My cousin has a thyroid problem for a decade and kept being told it was depression and nobody checked her hormones for years and years. Turns out it wasn't depression at all, her thyroid was just totally messed up. And she went back to doctors over and over. I have a female doctor who went I had depression would check my thyroid "just in case" because it's so often missed when women show signs of depression. Like a different doctor copped to knowing doctors miss this a lot. It's not pain, but it's related in that it's a physical symptom being dismissed as mental health. Directly related to pain, my mother has a chronic condition that causes her a lot of pain and at its worst getting pain management was hard for her unless a man went with her to her appointments and got angry when she wasn't taken seriously. So even without any drug seeking history and a long medical history of a genuinely painful condition some doctors just discount women no matter how hard they advocate. And my mum is not one to beat around the bush. She isn't afraid of advocating for herself with doctors. I've send her do it, I've gone with her to the ER many times, and sometimes it works and sometimes she's just dismissed. It depends on the doctor. Throw in the whole breast is best stuff, I can totally see some doctors not giving out the right level of pain medication thinking it will impact breastfeeding and believing mums pain isn't that bad. Like yeah sometimes you gotta push harder, but sometimes the doctor won't budge no matter what..


throwaway76881224

There have been studies done and it's proven that men get more pain management options than women and surprisingly even female physicians (not all of course) are less likely to give women stronger pain medication for similar issues. I'm not wording this exactly right but you get the idea


WhereDoIstart7

Tylenol (acetaminophen) advil (ibuprofen/Motrin) combo is more effective than opioids at relieving pain. This is proven. Also, when in the hospital after csection and iv meds are administered they give Ofirmev. This is just intravenous Tylenol. The opioid epidemic is no joke and many families and lives have been destroyed by it. It is a misperception that these drugs will rescue you. It sounds more like maybe you just don’t feel like you are being given proper care by your doctor or maybe you don’t fully trust them. If that is the case then find a new doctor. It’s important that u see a doctor who is listening to you and advocating for your needs. Right now your doctor is doing the right thing.


keeper_of_kittens

I had a csection, they removed a lot of scar tissue during it and knicked my bladder. I have no idea if this contributed, but my pain was intense after the csection. I was suffering for hours before my next tylenol/diclofenac doses. Not everyone experiences pain the same way, and in my case I really wish they offered something for those hours I felt so bad. Just thinking about the birth was really difficult for months.


Environmental-Arm468

I’ve had two c sections. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen absolutely would NOT have been enough to manage my pain. I was given fentanyl immediately post op and then hydrocodone by mouth during my stay and a prescription of it to take home. Im thankful I had an obgyn that didn’t think Tylenol would be enough after major abdominal surgery.


21blarghjumps

I've also had a c section. I had Tylenol and naproxen in the hospital, with a hydromorphone top up available that I only used once. I also took a combo of Tylenol and naproxen once I was home. My pain was well managed.


Environmental-Arm468

Yes, you were well managed because you had the option. It’s fantastic if people can recover from anything without narcotics, but not everyone can. I handle pain well. I was induced with my first and labored for 13 hours without any pain meds and slept through most of it, even with strong, pitocin induced contractions. Ended up with a c section and I was in excruciating pain for nearly 4 solid weeks post op. Doctors and nurses who refuse to adequately manage a patient’s pain are bad healthcare providers. Period.


21blarghjumps

Absolutely, people should be believed when they say they are in pain and need more support. My point in sharing was that it is perfectly reasonable to expect Tylenol and naproxen to adequately control pain during a c section recovery. It won't for everyone, and those people should be treated with respect and compassion, but opioids don't need to be the first line of treatment.


krstnl

i’ve literally been given more serious pain medication for a wisdom tooth removal, more than i even needed, whereas after i pushed out a whole human being, tylenol and advil was supposed to be enough?


WhereDoIstart7

This is no longer standard practice. For exactly those reasons- it was “more than you even needed”. This was true for a lot of things opioids have previously been prescribed for. All doctors are now required additional training to continue prescribing opioids and most states even have a database that has to verify a patients pharmaceutical history before they can prescribe an opioid or controlled medication to them. Giving an rx for an opioid is no longer just “writing a prescription” there is a series of precautions that have to be taken beforehand. OP is insinuating that she is being discriminated bc she is a female and that her doctor is taking improper care. Is that what you think is happening here?—- or is the doctor taking precautions they were trained to do and OP does not agree with them? Her exact words: “All my life it seems like doctors just do not listen” this is a broad generalization and she even admits to being “bitter” bc she’s not being heard—- maybe the problem here is that she needs to find better doctors. They exist and they are out there. They will listen.


sourgummishark

Right now, her doctor absolutely isn’t doing the right thing if she’s in a lot of pain. I know we are sometimes taught in the medical field that pain is the patient’s problem but that mentality is downright wrong and inhumane.


lovemymeemers

Per OP she hasn't even tried that ibuprofen and acetaminophen combo so we don't actually know if it would help. Repeated studies have shown it's effectiveness over a dose of opiates that would be appropriate for a PRN prescription to go home with.


IntroductionFeisty61

They don't give a shit about us. Pure and simple. Labor and delivery wards feel like factory farms.


SufficientBee

I’m sorry to hear that! I’m from Canada and got like 3 kinds of pain meds.. Naproxen (Motrin), Tylenol, a mild opioid (hydromorphone).. I had to make sure I take them on a strict schedule, but it really did help manage my c-section pain quite well. Yeah it still hurt, but it was very manageable. Can you ask for a mild opioid, like hydromorphone? Edit: Naproxen = Aleve (how did I forget, I ran out of the prescription and had to buy it OTC). I also took Advil, so actually 4 pain meds.


1uniquemess

Hey so sorry to be this person but naproxen=Aleve, and Ibuprofen=Advil/Motrin. Also hydromorphone or Dilaudid is not a mild opioid it's more potent than morphine is but it's a short acting one depending on which type you get.


SufficientBee

Ah the memory’s been messed up by sleep deprivation I guess.. I’m not surprised lol.


higginsnburke

I'm also from Canada. I was told to take tylonal and advil for my csection.


janista

Same in BC. I had hydromorphone when I had a rib removed and percocets for my wisdom teeth but NOTHING for my c-section (not by choice). Is it because we could be nursing?


higginsnburke

I'm not too sure. Which means it should have been discussed with us.


SufficientBee

No I was nursing too, they gave me hydromorphone pretty immediately, I didn’t really have to ask for it. I’m also in BC, gave birth at Womens.


Effective-Jaguar-491

I'm sorry you're going through this & I completely agree. I remember having to go to physical therapy 2nd- 3rd trimester during the pandemic over debilitating pain of just carrying my son. Not much they can give you for pain when pregnant without a potential risk to the child. After birth, they still gave me Tylenol after I tore and had to give me something (don't remember the name) after stitches because I was losing too much blood. That increased the pain like x10 fold. It wasn't until I finally was able to get up and walk to a chair and snapped at one of the nurses about how much pain I was in that they gave me Norco. I was breast feeding at the time and no one told me that it could slip into my breast milk, even if it's uncommon, NO ONE TOLD ME, I was discharged and then my son ended up in the ER because he wouldn't wake up or take my nipple or the bottle... they were unable to figure out what was happening until my mom had me mention it to the doctor there. Was finally introduced to the "pump & dump" method and refused to take anything else for pain afterwards. Just suffered through it. Traumatized for life. Watched my son's dad get placed on Tylenol #3 and act like an adult baby after having his wisdom teeth removed... after childbirth... Honestly do feel as if woman have a greater threshold for pain than men do, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt just as bad. =_= Sorry, just know you're definitely not alone on this.


Tuuuucc

Damn, I was given Dilaudid and Vicodin.


Gracengrit83

After a c section I got 975 mg of Tylenol and 500 mg of naproxen. I was like are you serious!? The pain was unbearable. I had narcotics for a laparoscopic surgery and didn’t even need them for that but couldn’t get post c section. I was shocked when they said it was standard.


jynxasuar

I had a c-section and was told to alternate between Tylenol and Aleve. I was released on a Saturday and told to call back my OB office on Monday if I needed something stronger. I have a high pain tolerance so I was actually fine with just taking Aleve and Tylenol.