A New Beginning

Cesarean Pain

Cesarean Care

Speak Up, Participate, and Ask Questions.

Make sure you understand each of your medicines.

See page 12 for a list of questions to ask your nurse about your medicines.

MANAGING YOUR PAIN Remember you’ve had major abdominal surgery. Start slow and be gentle with yourself. While you’re in the hospital, managing your pain is important and a priority. Pain may initially be managed by a patient controlled analgesia or “PCA.” With a PCA, pain medication is given through an IV or epidural tubing when you push a button. It is important that only you push the button to give yourself more medication. The pump will be set according to the provider orders so you will not receive too much medicine. After several hours, your nurse will begin weaning your PCA pain medication to pain medicines you can take by mouth. It is important you communicate your pain and what helps relieve it to the nurse or provider.

Your pain will lessen as you recover from your cesarean delivery. Your pain level goal should decrease as more days pass after your surgery. Your nurse will help and support you so that your pain level is below your goal. Managing your pain and feeling comfortable is important to your recovery. However, over medicating or taking too much pain medication can slow your recovery and make you sleepy. It is important that you move around as much as possible after surgery to prevent any complications. Moving and taking deep breaths helps prevent lung problems and blood clots. The more you move around, the better you will feel and enjoy caring for your baby.

PAIN ASSESSMENT TOOL

01 2345678910

Worst Pain Possible

Severe

No Pain

Mild

Moderate

Very Severe

0 1-3

4-6

7-9 10

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Chapter 2: Cesarean Care