Afterpains

[Illiana]

I remember reading somewhere that there were a few good things for after pains and I was wondering if you ladies would share what you used that worked (or if something didn't work that too). I'm 38 weeks now and just realizing that I really should have something on hand for afterpains.. I have various things like shepherds purse for PPH and will be making some witch hazel pads for down there but what about for abdominal pains? I remember they were rough with my DD but not unbearable and keep reading that they get worse with subsequent kids and this is #2 for me. So what helped you the most and where did you get it? Thanks ladies I know I need to get on this if I have to order online.

[Just1More]

Wish Garden Herbs...Afterease.

That stuff is amazing. Highly recommend it.

I think my midwife also had me take arnica tablets for a few days to help with healing, and they seemed to make a difference, too.

[Illiana]

i have some arnica that i've taken a few times and put up til after the birth. I'd completely forgotten about it. Thanks!

[seattlemamma]

I used arica, afterease, and belly binding. I hadn't used belly binding with my other children and I noticed a HUGE difference with the little guy that is now 2 weeks old! I put the binder on immediately after birth and kept it on 24/7. It was surprisingly comfortable!

[Banana731]

ugh, #2 way worse. My understanding is that they get worse each time.

I really like catnip. You can smoke it (faster delivery) or make an infusion. I did the tea. It's pretty tasty and I thought it really helped.

[gabbyraja]

A have read about, and have on hand to use:
Arnica
Afterease
Catnip
Calcium/Magnesium
Ibuprofen/Tylenol every 2 hours (only thing I've ever tried before, and it helps. But after #4 I wanted to DIE, so I'm hoping the rest helps more than this did)

[Sharlla]

i used a warm rice sock
Posted via Mobile Device

[Rosegarden77]

How about Placenta Encapsulation?

Originally Posted by gabbyraja

A have read about, and have on hand to use:
Arnica
Afterease
Catnip
Calcium/Magnesium
Ibuprofen/Tylenol every 2 hours (only thing I've ever tried before, and it helps. But after #4 I wanted to DIE, so I'm hoping the rest helps more than this did)

After #3 I thought I WAS going to die-lol. They were so baaaad. This time I am going to go for the placenta encapsulation to see if the placenta as supplement helps with the pain. The Ib/Tylenol really did not help the last time and I am hoping to just have a pain prescription (herbal or not!) from MW on hand--yes--they were that bad I almost went to the ER-lol.

Anyone ever try the placenta encapsulation? Did it help?

Best,

Rose

[gabbyraja]

Originally Posted by Rosegarden77

Anyone ever try the placenta encapsulation? Did it help?

Best,

Rose

My fourth was the first time I did placenta encapsulation... Did WONDERFUL things for the blues/ppd, but not a thing for the APs. Sorry.

[kristenburgess]

Originally Posted by seattlemamma

I used arica, afterease, and belly binding. I hadn't used belly binding with my other children and I noticed a HUGE difference with the little guy that is now 2 weeks old! I put the binder on immediately after birth and kept it on 24/7. It was surprisingly comfortable!

What did you use as a binder? I'm interested to hear more about this

[peainthepod]

Bumping this thread in hopes of reading more suggestions! I'm almost 36 weeks pregnant with #2 and am feeling a little fearful of the dreaded multipara afterpains.

[purplepaisleymama]

I can only speak for my experiences, I am a very non-medical and medication mama.....I have an rx for narcotics for the afterpains this time. I have had progressively worse pains with each baby and this is my 6th, 9th pregnancy. I am not looking forward to the pains this time, it is always way worse than the labor and birth for me. I had a face/brow presentation last baby, UC with a transfer after a few hours..... the afterpains were worse than the birth for him.....and that was the worst.

I know that mamas have had great success with herbs, massage and other measures, I have tried many different remedies, with help from three different midwives and none have worked. One midwife said that even the christian scientist moms that she has attended have used motrin for the afterpains for their 5th and later births. I am not scared at all about the birth, the pain will be manageable, especially because I know that it is not endless but the afterpains last for days for me and I cannot deal with the now knowing when they will stop.

~laura

[MittensKittens]

Originally Posted by gabbyraja

My fourth was the first time I did placenta encapsulation... Did WONDERFUL things for the blues/ppd, but not a thing for the APs. Sorry.

I consumed my placenta raw with my last baby, and I have to agree with this post. The afterpains were worse than with my first baby, and I don't think the placenta helped much. I'll try the herbs for my next baby .

[2lilsweetfoxes]

After first, I didn't really need anything. After my second, a couple tylenol and I was fine. After my third, I was popping motrin like pennycandy and using a warm rice-sock.

[ginacc]

Belly Band

I'm interested in the belly binding. I've only seen the ones they sell at babies r us and they're 60 dollars! Can I just use one of the spandex belly bands I use to keep my maternity pants up? Seems like that might work fine. What other sorts of shortcuts have you used for this. I'm having baby no.4 in a few weeks and I'm SCARED of the afterpains. They have gotten significantly worse with each baby....esp when they're ferocious nursers like my last two have been. Yeesh.

Thanks so much!

[jee'smom]

i rarely ever take meds at all, but after my births, especially #3, o.m.g. i took motrin and alternated it with tylenol with codeine for the first full day, then got rid of the codeine by day 2ish and just stuck with motrin. it worked so well! by 3-4th day i didn't need anything anymore.

[gabbyraja]

Thought I'd update. I'm on day 2 with baby #5 and the things I mentioned above are helping very much. For the most part they are less painful than last time. Still no walk in the park, but much better than last time.

I'm using mostly Afterease and Tylenol/ibuprofen, but also the rest, and warm/hot postpartum herbal baths also help while I'm in them, of course, so I was going to get out the rice sock tonight.

Must also mention I'm tandem nursing and the new girl is nursing nearly non-stop, so I'm SURE they would have been worse...