Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) OB Cesarean Section

After Surgery Pain Care

Taking non-opioid pain meds at the right time is good at helping you heal and keeping your pain under control after surgery. You will switch every four hours between two other non-opioid pain meds.

Please use your pain meds as stated by your provider’s orders. Our ERAS order suggests that you use ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®) as your first choice. The plan is below. We know that you may need to fix this to help breastfeeding and other baby care needs. Opioid pain meds should only be used for severe pain, uncontrolled by other meds.

Take these non-opioid pain meds for three days after your surgery. After one week, you should only take a dose when you’re in pain and think you need it.

NON-Opioid Pain Meds Plan Model:

• 8:00 a.m. Take advised dose of acetaminophen.

• 12:00 p.m. Take advised dose of ibuprofen.

• 4:00 p.m. Take advised dose of acetaminophen.

• 8:00 p.m. Take advised dose of ibuprofen.

If your doctor decides either drug is not right for you, then you may only be given one of the above meds. If so, take prescribed drug as directed.

• Bedtime Take advised dose of acetaminophen.

• If you wake up in the middle of the night: Take provider’s advised dose of ibuprofen with a small snack, such as crackers.

What is the goal of pain control? Lower pain Keep you moving Help you heal

 

 

Your doctor may also order an opioid (such as Oxycodone): Opioids limit the pain we feel, but they don’t treat the cause of our pain. Because of this, we don’t use them on a set plan. TRY NON-MEDICATION AIDS FIRST: • Ice • Rest • Your form of meditation • Mindfulness • Art Therapy • Music Therapy If your pain is doable, avoid taking opioid pain meds. STILL IN PAIN? • If your pain is too much, keeping you awake, and you cannot do any movements: Take your opioid as prescribed. • If you need to take your opioid for pain relief, do not stop taking your non-opioids. Those meds make the opioid more effective.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are the side effects and risks of opioid use? Short-Term Side Effects: • Nausea (very common) or throwing up • Constipation • Itching • Headache • Dizziness- do NOT drive or control machinery • Drowsiness TIP! Take a laxative/stool softener at least once or twice a day when taking opioids. Serious Risks: • The risk of misuse, abuse, and addiction grows the longer you take opioids. • It is possible to overdose and take too much of your opioids. • Death can result from slowed breathing from opioid overdose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opioids: How to store and throw away

Proper Storage of Opioids:

• Opioid meds should be stored out of reach of children and in a locked place. This will also stop other family members and guests from having access.

Proper Disposal of Opioids:

• Step 1: Decide if you have a local place to take unused drugs back. Use Google Maps to search “drug drop off near me” or “medication disposal” to find places near you. You can also go to your local fire station, police station or  drugstore to see if they have drug take back services on hand.

• Step 2: If no drug disposal option is on hand to you, see if you can flush your meds by checking the FDA flush list (see list below).

 

 

• If meds are not on the FDA flush list, you can mix your meds (do not crush) with an inedible substance (like dirt, coffee grounds or cat litter) and place in a sealed plastic bag and throw away in the trash.

• Always remove all personal information from the drug label of your empty bottle before disposing of it.