first AF after c-birth..

[hildare]

how was it? i'm feeling pretty painful twinges, somewhat worried as i had a previous ectopic due to fibroids, but did get a bfn on a hpt. i've heard other mamas say they had twinges and cramps monthly before af showed up, too.
how did your first AF after a c-birth feel to you? thx

[Storm Bride]

I've had five c-sections, and I can't remember what they were like after any of the last four (except that I was mad that I got it back in only 4 months with dd1!). After my first, I can remember being almost doubled up in pain from my period for the first few. I'd always had mostly painless periods, and was really worried the extreme pain was going to be permanent. It wasn't. I don't remember exactly how long it lasted, but it wasn't more than 4-5 cycles. I honestly have no idea if it was related to the surgery, or if it was hormonal. I haven't had pain that bad with my period after any of the others. I'd have remembered it.

[wombatclay]

I'd had really bad cramping growing up and, oddly, my c/s sort of calmed things down. I did have ovulation pain though, which I'd never had before. Adhesions from the c/s can contribute to the pain/tugging/cramping (or at least they have in my experience). Have you tried scar massage, or perhaps maya massage? There was a DIY maya massage article in a recent Mothering magazine if you don't have access to a massage therapist.