HealthPartners - Preparing for childbirth

RATING YOUR PAIN In the hospital or birth center, let your nurse know if you are feeling pain and need medication. Typically they will ask you to describe your pain level using a 1 to 10 rating scale. About an hour after you receive medication, they will ask you for a new pain rating to see if the medication is working. Be sure to ask if you have any questions about the prescribed medications.

Managing Pain The amount of pain or discomfort you feel after giving birth depends on how long you were in labor, the type of birth, and how you respond to pain. In the first 1 to 2 days after giving birth, you may feel muscle aches and fatigue, especially in your shoulders, neck, and arms. You may also have some stiffness in your hands from IV fluids. Comfort measures for pain • Massage and relaxation • Deep breathing • Listening to music • Ice packs the first 24 to 48 hours • Warm pad on your abdomen for cramps • Warm sitz baths/herbal baths Medical pain relief • Topical creams or sprays • Over-the-counter medication (acetaminophen, ibuprofen) • Prescription medication

POSTPARTUM

CARE

WARNING

Tell your nurse or health care provider if your pain is:

• Constant • Unusual • Worse than what it was before • Keeping you from doing things you were able to do before • Located in the right upper area of your abdomen or just below your breastbone • A headache with any vision changes, confusion, mental changes, dizziness, or new swelling

Chapter 8: Postpartum Care 95