Prescription Opioid Abuse After C-Section: Use Medications with Care

According to the National Vital Statistics Reports, the total number of cesarean deliveries in
2015 was 1,272,503. This accounted for 32 percent of all deliveries in the United States in
2015. Women who had undergone a cesarean section (C-section) recount that they
experienced excruciating pain post-delivery. However, that was not all.
Apart from the surgical pain, they also had to cope with the increasing hormone levels,
depleting vitamin levels and rising responsibilities due to the newborn. Adding to their woes
were the hospital staff members who found it easier to keep mothers sedated post-operation
and voiceless by prescribing medications like Percocet, way more than necessary.
Percocet, derived
primarily from
oxycodone (a
Schedule II analgesic),
is responsible for
causing alterations in
the mothers brain.
The impact of such
drugs is quick; it
sensitizes the pain
receptors. As a result,
the mother is less
burdened by painful
sensations. However,
it has side effects like
withdrawal pangs,
discomfort and anxiety, which are apparent when the mother of the newborn is on her own.
The risks of addiction are also high.
More pills equate to higher addiction risks
According to Marvin M. Lipman, Consumer Reports chief medical adviser, while opioids are
necessary for post-surgical care, they need to be used with care. A research, conducted on
720 mothers who had a cesarean, found that nearly 615 or 85 percent of the participants had
been prescribed opioid painkillers.
In the end, nearly 84 percent of the women had medications left with them. Though women
used only half of the prescribed pills, it was evident that there is a direct relationship between

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the number of pills prescribed and usage. It was observed that women who were prescribed
more pills tended to use more pills.
These are addictive medications, says Brian Bateman, chief of obstetric anesthesia at
Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston and lead author of two of the three studies relating
to overuse of opioids in women who had undergone a C-section. He further adds, For some
patients, being exposed, even in the setting of appropriate treatment for pain, may
precipitate an affinity for the drug that leads to subsequent chronic use and even abuse.
Cesarean with fewer opioids
In case the odds of giving a cesarean birth are high, it is essential to ensure that some effective
measures are undertaken to lower the risks of developing an opioid use disorder (OUD) later.
Some such steps are:

Talking to the doctor about pain management: Before conceiving, it is essential to

have a plan in place. Apart from creating a pain management strategy, one could also
use some time-tested means for alleviating pain post-discharge. Arnica gel and
tablets, cinnamon and garlic supplements, coconut water, omega-3 fatty acids, apple,
cider, vinegar, etc., can help reduce the muscle pain and swelling associated with a C-
section.
Using opioids short term: Overall, opioids are meant only for short-term use. Taking
them for a long time increases the risk of abuse and dependency. Such a measure
needs to be undertaken despite the fact that most women who have undergone a C-
section find everyday tasks daunting and the pain intolerable. They are the easy
victims of prescription pills.
Disposing unused medications properly: The opioid epidemic is widespread in the
U.S. According to the recent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA) report, there were 11.8 million past year opioid users in the
U.S in 2016. Of these, a vast majority misused prescription pain relievers. They either
stole them or got them through other sources. Moreover, opioids left carelessly also
contributed to the rise of the opioid epidemic.
Using nonaddictive over-the-counter (OTC) medications: Certain medications like
ibuprofen or naproxen (Aleve and generic) could be used with medical guidance for
getting relief from pain post a C-section.
Road to recovery
Getting rid of an opioid-using habit is difficult. It is even more so in the case of mothers of
newborns, who find themselves in a messy state. Due to the potential of opioids to alleviate
pain, most opioids may seem heaven sent. However, the risks of prescription drug use are

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immense, both for the baby and the mother. A mother who takes opioids while lactating risks
passing on the drugs to the baby as well.
If you or your loved one is suffering from an addiction to opioid or any other drug, contact
the Prescription Drug Addiction Help to get more information on the best prescription drug
abuse treatment centers that specialize in evidence-based intervention plans. Call at our 24/7
helpline 866-623-3847 to know more about the prescription drug abuse treatment centers
in the U.S.

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