Vaginal Postpartum Pain Management Protocol Comparison

Untreated postpartum pain has been associated with increased risk of opioid use, postpartum depression and development of persistent pain. In this study the investigators will investigate whether a scheduled administration of analgesics is superior to administration of analgesics based on patient request following a vaginal delivery.

More than two million women deliver vaginally every year in the United States (US). Along with the joy and happiness of having a new member in the family, women may suffer from cramping pain and lower abdomen discomfort following uterine involution; perineal pain due to perineal trauma or episiotomy; and nipple pain from breastfeeding or breast engorgement. A stepwise approach using multimodal combination of medications can effectively provide an individualized pain management for women in their postpartum period. The first step includes non-opioid analgesics (as paracetamol and NSAIDs), step two adds milder opioids (as codeine, tramadol and oral morphine), and step three incorporates stronger opioids (as parenteral morphine). In this study the investigators will investigate whether a scheduled administration of analgesics is superior to administration of analgesics based on patient request following a vaginal delivery.