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I wasn't given percocet, just advil and tylenol alternating every 4-6 hrs. Have you tried switching to those?

I took percocet for maybe 3-4 days after discharge? I actually have heard our hospital no longer prescribes it post c-section due to meth problems in my state. I would ask for prescription strength Advil (or just inquire about max dose) and combine that with Tylenol. I wanted to get off it quickly because that meant I could drive and thus was a little less helpless.

Same as others. I only took prescription pain meds around the clock for 1-2 days after discharge. I think I took one at night for another several days bc staying still made me so stiff and uncomfortable but other than that, I used 600 mg of advil. Def check with your doc.

I was on percocet for maybe a week, or slightly longer but I didn't take as directed. I only took it when I got really sore, with the prescribed Motrin, usually in the afternoon after moving a while. I dropped to just Motrin as needed after that.

@Mrs. Pen: I'm always surprised at these kinds of post because of how many people didn't need meds or only did for a few days!

I took Percocet for probably 2-3 weeks after each c section. More often in the beginning and then only occasionally after the two week mark if I was in pain for had over done it that day or something.

Both times I got 1 refill by calling my OB office. Different OB and office both times and I had zero problem getting a refill. I would definitely try to get a refill if you're still in pain.

@gotkimchi: yes! A support belt is a game changer. I wore mine forever because it also kept my incision from getting irritated by my pants. @Mrs. Pen: it sucks, but are you moving around a lot. I found that I experienced the most pain after I had been sitting or laying down for any period of time. Walking around the house a bit really helped loosen everything up.

@Mrs.Pen: I was only given ibuprofen and Tylenol to take and was told to take two of each (regular strength) every 4 hours. I think I did that for at least a week and then decreased slowly in the second week. A few days after surgery I thought I was okay and left more time before the pills and woke up and started crying and asked my midwife for something stronger and she asked if I had kept on the schedule and I said no. Once I kept up taking the pills regularly I was fine. By two weeks I wasn't taking anything anymore.

Also, pp with the support belt suggestion is huge! It helped me a lot. And rest a lot. It's definitely a shock to the system. I hope your recovery goes well and don't worry about however long you need pain mess. Get your prescription refilled just so you have it and you don't have to take it if you're feeling good. I assume your regular doc will/could do it for you. Call the surgeon and or your doctor to see who can and who it will be easiest with. My midwife didn't do my surgery and could have written me a prescription and I was in and out of emergency and a walk in clinic and saw the surgeon within the first week after my c section and I think any of those people could help. You definitely don't want to be left with nothing and then in pain because it will feel scary and make life harder.

@Mrs. Pen: your OB will give you refills of pain meds. Do not feel bad for asking if you need them!

With my first - unplanned csection - I took Tylenol after discharge

With my second - planned csection I was on pain meds for weeks and weeks and weeks. I had to get a refill twice bc I really needed it.

With my third - planned csection I took Percocet for about 2 weeks after discharge and then switched to Motrin. My OB was completely willing to give me a refill but I told him I was fine.

Each surgical experience is different so don't feel bad if you feel you still need the pain pills

@Mrs. Pen: my friend who had a c section a few weeks before me (both c sections were surprised!) let me borrow her belly bandit. I felt like I could walk around so that was good. I think when people say be active they mean within reason. So I definitely think gentle walking around is key, but don't start cleaning your house or bending down a lot/at all. Being bed ridden isn't a good idea either though. Which sounds like you won't be doing anyway. I think walking or gentle movement keeps your blood circulating more efficiently and actually helps speed up your healing as long as you don't feel too weak or start bleeding a lot as a result. Pick and choose your activities and don't be afraid to leave things on the floor! Ha. Good call on the keeping daycare up.

Also, roll out of bed or off couches and use the back board and your arms for support vs your ab muscles. That was a big help for me moving.

And I agree with shootingstar. If he can't take time off is there any relative near you that can come and help you out?

@Mrs. Pen: I'm always amazed at the people who only took over-the-counter pain mess after a cesarean. I took Percocet on schedule for like 4 or 5 days after discharge with my first and at night for much longer than that. An abdominal binder really helped SO much. I got one at the hospital but it was very similar to this: ProCare Premium 9", 3-Panel Elastic Abdominal Binder, Small/Medium (Waist: 30" - 45") https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010E7MQQO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_3IpZybQW1WDBN

I took the full schedule of Rx strength ibuprofen and Percocet for about 10 days after, then tapered the Percocet over about 4 days and stuck with the ibuprofen. My OB recommended frequent spurts of gentle walking to help with recovery and firmly advised against any bending or lifting anything heavier than baby.

With my first I barely touched my Percocet. With my second I used half my Rx. With my third I was fine with just Advil.
Every surgery is different. Be gentle with yourself and let others help however they can. You'll be back to normal soon.

An ab binder would make a world of a difference! It's something I wish I knew more about at the time. I was also given Motrin 600 and slowly tapered off that, but man it hurt for a good while and stairs were the worst! I couldn't even lift up my legs enough to get in my bed to sleep for probably over a week and it hurt to lay too vertically. Hope you're starting to feel a bitter better now!

@Mrs. Pen: just popping in out of curiosity. Had vaginal deliveries. But fwiw I did have a longer recovery the second time around, probably because of all the activity. It sucked wanting to do so much and just being sore. Good to hear you're moving in the right direction.

@Mrs. Pen: it sucks that you couldn't get a refill. Good call on saving it for when you really really need it.

Each day will get better. :). And eventually you'll forget what it was like. The newborn haze helps with that too.

@Mrs. Blue: I didn't know hospitals gave them either. Im in Canada. My friend overnighted hers to me once she found out I had had a csection so it was at my house when I got home. It was so beneficial!

@Mrs. Pen: That is really frustrating (and surprising) that you couldn't get a refill. You're only 11 days pp! I understand why doctors have had to swing away from pain meds since they were being so loosely prescribed / the pain med and opiate crisis in so many areas, but I personally feel like its swung too far the other way.