Objective To explore the safety and effectiveness of sufentanil, nalbuphine and their combined use on patient controlled subcutaneous analgesia (PCSA) after cesarean section. Methods A total of 90 women who underwent emergency cesarean section from June 2020 to January 2021 were selected. According to the random number table method, they were divided into three groups (n=3): a nalbuphine group (group N), a sufentanil group (group S), and a sufentanil+nalbuphine group (group NS). The analgesic pump was connected 30 min before the end of operation. Drug formulation: nalbuphine 2 mg/kg+tropisetron 0.1 mg/kg in group N; sufentanil 2 μg/kg+tropisetron 0.1 mg/kg in group S; and sufentanil 1 μg/kg+nalbuphine 1 mg/kg+tropisetron 0.1 mg/kg in group NS. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores of incision pain and uterine contraction pain 6, 12 h and 24 h after operation, Ramsay sedation score 24 h after operation, PCSA pressing times within 24 h after operation, colostrum secretion within 24 h after operation, adverse reactions and patient satisfaction rate were recorded. The concentration of nalbuphine in breast milk during analgesia in group N was detected. Results There were no statistical differences in VAS incision pain scores 6, 12 h and 24 h after operation, Ramsay sedation scores 24 h after operation, colostrum secretion within 24 h after operation and the incidence of adverse reactions among the three groups (P>0.05). Group NA showed lower VAS scores at uterine contraction than group N and group S at each time point (P<0.05), a higher patient satisfaction rate than group S (P<0.05), and less PCSA pressing times than group N and group S (P<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in VAS score at uterine contraction, patient satisfaction rate, and PCSA pressing times within 24 h after operation between group N and group S (P>0.05). A total of five parturients in group N secreted sufficient breast milk during analgesia, while no nalbuphine was detected in breast milk. Conclusions The combined use of nalbuphine and sufentanil can effectively relieve uterine contraction pain after cesarean section, without increases in the incidence of adverse reactions.