Mrs. Reed is a 35-year-old, gravida 1, para 1, whose son was delivered by forceps-assisted vaginal delivery 4 hours ago.

Mrs. Reed is a 35-year-old, gravida 1, para 1, whose son was delivered by forceps-assisted vaginal delivery 4 hours ago. She is married and her husband has been with her since her admission to the hospital. Mrs. Reed tells you that she intends to breast-feed but will need help since this is her first baby. She did attend childbirth preparation classes and a breast-feeding class during the last trimester of her pregnancy. She has a midline episiotomy with a 4th-degree extension. She was straight catheterized in labor and delivery before she was transferred to your floor, and your assessment indicates that her bladder is filling (fundus firm, 3/U, deviated to the right, lochia, moderate rubra). She states that the pain medication they gave her in the recovery room is wearing off. She reports uterine cramping and pain in her “bottom.” Her vital signs are within normal limits, and she has no known allergies. Mrs. Reed plans to breast-feed and verbalizes a fear that pain medications may harm her baby. How do you respond to her concerns?