Your hospital stay: Pain after birth

You are the only person who can accurately describe your pain. Your nurse will ask you to rate your pain on a scale from zero (no pain) to 10 (worst pain) during your hospital stay.

The goal is to keep your pain between a 3 to 4, which is considered to be between "hurts a little bit" and "hurts a little bit more."

You will have some pain, which is to be expected. Your health care team will help you manage your pain so you can have the best results during your recovery.

After a vaginal birth

If you had a vaginal birth with an episiotomy or a tear, you may choose to use ice packs to help control the pain. You may have pain medicine (by mouth) to help with the cramping that happens as the uterus begins contracting (shrinking) to its nonpregnant size.

The goal is to keep your pain between a 3 to 4 on the pain scale. Talk with your nurse if you don't think your pain is being treated effectively.

Afer a Cesarean birth

If you had a Cesarean birth, you will receive pain medicine through your IV until you can take pain medicine by mouth.

The goal is to keep your pain level between a 3 to 4. Within eight hours after surgery your nurse will help you get out of bed and walk around the room.

Walking is one of the most important things you can do to speed your recovery. Gas pains are common after surgery and walking will help relieve those pains.