breastfeeding after c-section?

Amber - posted on 04/11/2009

I was prescribed Vicodan at first for the pain and then tylenol.  I asked my dr. about it and he told me that your body really filters things out very well.  Only a very small barely noticable amount will actually make it into the breast milk as long as you take it minimally.  I was really worried about it, but the pain was bad enough so I took it.  It does not harm the baby. 

Stephanie - posted on 04/11/2009

My doctor told gave me scripts for percocet and ibuprofen. I never took the percocet, just the motrin/ibuprofen.

Allison - posted on 04/11/2009

Thanks ladies! I appreciate all of the advice!

:)

Teresa - posted on 04/11/2009

They gave me motrin in the hospital and prescription strength ibuprofen to take home.  I actually only took the ibuprofen for back pain and a couple of headaches.  The c-section pain didn't really bother me after a couple of days.  I also have a pretty high tolerance for pain and have been completely alone w/ 3 kids since my son and I got out of the hospital when he was 3 days old.  It's hard, but doable.  Every experience is different though.

Dinah - posted on 04/11/2009

i have had 4 c-sections, and have nursed all 4 of my children. my doctor gave me prescriptions for percoset and tylenol which I never filled. I also never took medication in the hospital - i found it to be a bearable pain. everyone's pain tolerance is different, but I agree that the doctors wouldn't give you the medicine if they didn't think it was okay.

Margot - posted on 04/11/2009

I had a c-section with my last baby and I only had what they gave me during the procedure. I refused any medication other than 800ml motrin. I didn't want to be all groggy when they brought her in. Also I did not want the medication to effect her. I will say this, I have a very high pain tolerance, so afterwards I was not in a lot of pain. I was very conscience of where they had glued me back together. Just cause it was a little tight and I was worried it might rip open again. It didn't tho. I will say this, you should have someone stay in the hospital with you. I thought I could send my husband home with my other 2 girls, but I really needed him there to help out. I went home with motrin and percocet. I didn't take any of it, actually it's still in our cubbard. I hope this helps and Good Luck!!

Katie - posted on 04/11/2009

I just took ibuprofin because I was worried about handling my preemie, but I got my wisdom teeth out last week and had Vicodin, which just made my 8 month old a little cranky for a couple of days.

Mabel - posted on 04/11/2009

I have had 3 C-sections and Breastfed my boys.   I told the doctor since the beginning I only wanted my kids to be breastfed no formula and he understood.  He precribed percocet and said it was fine to drink while breastfeeding the baby.  In the beginning all babies want to do are 3 things anyways is eat, poop and sleep.   I think some traces do go through the milk anyways but not enough to harm them (ofcourse if you drink them as prescribed) .   At home I still had percocet and it did help me through the pain.  If you ever have any questions on what to drink while breastfeeding either consult your doctor or call your local La Leche Foundation. 

Selina - posted on 04/11/2009

I also had a c section and breastfed,and I was allowed to take Tylonal and ibuprophen.Thats what the doctors gave me in the hospital and thats what I took at home.

Itsamystery - posted on 04/11/2009

Whilst in the hospital I took ibuprofen and had IM injections which were some sort of narcotic, probably similar to pethidine. Once out of the hospital I just took ibuprofen for the first few days. I noticed in that first week out of the hospital that it hurt after breastfeeding, must've been the uterine contractions it causes. I felt no pain at all after about day 10 so stopped taking the ibuprofen.

Emily - posted on 04/11/2009

I took everything they gave me. They knew I was breastfeeding. A friend who breastfed told me with her first she didn't take anything and it took her much longer to recover than with her second when she did. The Ibuprofin is fine. I actually continued taking the prescription strenght ibuprofin through the first weeks to ease the pain of breastfeeding. If I couldn't I never would have stuck with it! It was very painful x2 (had twins). Not sure what the other medication was but that script ran out pretty quickly and the ibu was enough.

Jessica - posted on 04/11/2009

My son will be 8 weeks on the 14th, and after my c-section my doc gave me percocet and naproxen for pain....plus other pills.  I had him on a tuesday and by Friday my milk was in, but as soon as i got home from the hospital i pumped to encourage the milk to come down...plus it brought down the cholostum faster.

Anne-Odile - posted on 04/10/2009

They gave me Ibuprofen and Vicodin. They told me it was ok for breastfeeding, but you should also check with your own pharmacist, or doctor. I tried to take the absolute minimum I needed, and soon only took Ibuprofen, and stopped the Vicodin. Some of it probably ends up in the milk, but there is no way I would have been able to breastfeed without pain medication, as I was in so much pain.

Hang in there, it will get better and easier. The first few weeks were rough, but one year later, I'm still breastfeeding, and doing great.

LaNae - posted on 04/10/2009

I just had a csection last tuesday-my dr proscribed vicadine and ibprofin. I think it was ok to take those b/c my milk hadn't come in it, but i stoped taking the vicadine this week and just taking the ibrpofin for pain when i hurt. I know some of it will go thru my milk, but i'm not sure how much. My dr knows i'm breastfeeding so i'm guessing its ok to take those. If your not sure, it never hurts to ask your doctor.