PPH - Questions for Your Doctor

General guidelines when talking to your doctor about PPH pain:

If possible, keep written notes or a journal documenting your pain, and questions you would like answered. These notes should be comprehensive and accurate.
Make sure you express your views. Do not hesitate to offer an opinion about what may be causing or contributing to your pain. No one knows your body as well as you, and your insights are very valuable to your health care providers. See below on what you need to tell your doctor.
Ask questions. As with other aspects of your treatment, it is very important that you fully understand what is causing your pain and your relief options. There are no stupid questions. See below for what you need to ask your doctor.
During discussions with your health care provider, have a friend or loved one take notes for you. For most people, it is difficult to talk about pain, ask questions, and take notes at the same time. This will allow you to focus your concentration on your discussion. (The same can be said for discussing PPH treatment options.)

What you need to tell your doctor:

How your pain feels: Use descriptive words (such as dull, aching, throbbing, stabbing, piercing, pinching, sharp, aching, burning, tingling.)
The patterns in your pain: At what time of day is it worst? Is there regularity with regard to changing intensity?
The frequency of your pain: Do you have symptoms all the time or occasionally?
The timing of your pain: How quickly does the pain come on (suddenly or intermittently)? How long does it last (a few minutes or several hours)? How often does it occur?
What makes your pain worse: Describe conditions when your pain becomes more intense (such as moving, walking, talking, coughing, laying down, eating, going to the bathroom.)
What eases your pain: Talk about anything that has helped you, including medications you have been using and the amounts you are taking.
What medications you’re taking: Tell your doctor about your pain medications, including any over-the-counter pain relievers, any alternative medications like herbs, and any medications you may be taking for other health conditions.
How the pain is affecting your life: Describe the activities you no longer are able to perform, such as effects on your appetite and your ability to sleep.

Questions you need to ask your doctor about available medications for PPH pain and treatment:

Questions for your doctor regarding the possibility of surgery:

Related Information: