From a pain management perspective, codeine is an inferior analgesic; it just does not provide the same amount of pain relief even in equi-potent dosages as other oral medications such as oxycodone (the narcotic half of Percocet).  It actually works better in kids and is one we frequently transition to in the pre-school through school-age population.  Once we're dealing with teenagers, however, Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen) is a much better choice.  I would never prescribe codeine/acetaminophen (Tylenol #3) to an adult for post-surgical pain.

At my previous institution, we typically did post-op epidural infusions with bupivacaine and fentanyl, which usually worked well.  Once that was d/c'd after about 18-24 hrs, moms would get ketorolac (strong IV NSAID) or ibuprofen, along with percocets.  When they needed stronger narcotics or were not tolerating po, they could receive IV morphine.

I bet the moms who receive Dilaudid (hydromorphone) IV for post-op pain are pretty happy.... :)

Sarah Reece-Stremtan M.D. 
Pediatric anesthesiology fellow in Washington DC

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