MemorialCare - Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care

NATURAL TECHNIQUES There are natural techniques and activities that may help you manage postpartum pain and feel more comfortable. What to try • Massage and relaxation • Deep breathing • Listening to music • Ice packs on the perineum for the first 24 hours • Warm sitz or herbal bath • Warm pad on abdomen for cramps • Using an abdominal binder

Managing Pain

PAIN MEDICATION In the hospital, don’t hesitate to tell your nurse if you are in pain and need medication. You may be asked for your “pain number” before taking something, then asked again in about an hour to see how well the medication worked. Always ask your nurse or health care provider if you have questions about any medications prescribed for you. It’s important to understand what medications are used for, how often to take them, and any possible side effects. You can try setting a personal goal for pain management or identifying the number at which you feel you need medication. Pain relief options at home • Topical creams or sprays for your perineum • Over-the-counter medications (ibuprofen, acetaminophen) • Prescription medications

Giving birth, vaginally or by cesarean, is often painful. You may experience pain from an episiotomy, lacerations, perineal trauma, incisions, uterine contractions after birth, hemorrhoids, breast engorgement , nipple tenderness, or something else. Keeping your pain level under control is important to your overall recovery. Don’t take too much pain medication as it can slow your recovery and make you too sleepy to function. What to know • Everyone reacts differently to postpartum pain, but there are ways to relieve it • Always speak up and let someone know if you are uncomfortable or in pain • You may need to try different pain-management techniques or medications to find what works best for you

PAIN RATING SCALE

worst imaginable pain

no pain

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Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care