I was denied morphine after my c-section

From London UK. Just wondered if this is normal across the world.

Before my c-section the midwife in the labour ward discussed pain relief for after surgery, she said as they know I'm going in the doctor has already prescribed oral morphine as a standard and I should ask for it as soon as possible to get on top of the pain for when the surgery drugs and spinal block wear off.

I got out of theatre just before 1pm, was in recovery until maybe 2, then when the first midwife came around for observations on the ward I explained that I want to get on top of the pain and I'd like the morphine please, she sort of made a face and said "I'll bring some paracetemol". PARACETEMOL. I reiterated that I'd like the morphine and I was just sort of blanked?? I was vulnerable and found it very hard to advocate for myself as strongly as I should have.

Long story short, I asked again for pain killers about 4 or 5 times, every time a midwife came around, nothing came to me until TEN O'CLOCK AT NIGHT. 1000mg of paracetemol is not going to touch it, I've had major abdominal surgery.... I was angry by this point and they were gonna get me out of bed in 2 hours, hardly enough time to get on top of it. I had also not been brought any food, so had been fasting for 22 hours at this point. I had to beg a nurse to bring me some dinner, it wasn't even her job but she came through with the microwave chicken pasta 💓

It really seemed like nobody even wanted to entertain the idea of giving morphine, despite it being prescribed to me already. The midwife who eventually brought me paracetemol got an earful about the situation from me and my partner but she said her shift had just started and at the shift handover nobody said anybody had asked for pain relief. I gave up asking for morphine in the end, just rawdogged my recovery on fuckin' paracetemol. Ridiculous.

Anyone else have simillar experience? Why are new mothers expected to just deal with excruciating pain?? Can't help but think that if I was a man that just had a vasectomy I'd have got my morphine.

EDIT - RIP my notifications, thank you all for your support and experiences, it seems like a lot of countries' health care systems have a simillar protocol!