After-pains worse for 2nd+ babies?

[mojobot2000]

I'm expecting my second in about a month, and I'm suddenly remembering that I've heard that after-pains are a lot worse for births 2 and after. With my first, I had moderately painful period-like cramps for several days when I nursed, but it was a very minor part of my recovery.

Experienced mamas: Is it true? How much worse? Any advice for dealing with it?

Thanks!

Mojo

[DanielleT]

nah not true for me; i actually dont' remember even having much for after pains other than the general pain of just giving birth

[fruitfulmomma]

I don't remember after my 2nd but they were pretty bad after my 4th and excruciating after my 5th, especially when nursing. Hot baths or cloths on the stomach and Motrin are good.

[Mosaic]

Originally Posted by DanielleT

nah not true for me; i actually dont' remember even having much for after pains other than the general pain of just giving birth

Same for me... I was prepared for something crazy after #2, but I felt really good!

[kwilki8]

I remember mine being pretty painful after #2 and they were worst when nursing. I had a c-section; I don't know how/if that affected them at all.

[scrappin-mama]

I didn't have any after #2 that I can remember, but he was in the NICU, and I was pumping instead of nursing, so I don't know how much that contributed to it. They were pretty painful after #1, especially when nursing.

[finnegansmom]

I had really bad afterpains when nursing for about a week after my son was born.
Maybe because he was so big and such a powerful nurser, but I had to breath through some of them. I had nothing with my first.

[Ambyrkatt]

Just had my 2nd and I'm not finding my after pains to be any different than with my 1st. I'm taking motrin, but I could probably get by without it. They really are just a minor part of my recovery.

[Evergreen]

Yes for me.

1st birth they were nonexistant
2nd barely there
3rd hurt

I am kind of scared this time. Maybe labor will be easy though.

[~Demeter~]

For me #1 and #2 I felt no afterpains. I wasn't uncomfortable at all. Now.. #3 and #4 required actual painkillers. I'm a little scared what #5 is going to be like, that said, I'm doing it again so really... it didn't prevent me from wanting to do this all over again, lol.

[Ellen Griswold]

Yes for me too. Had some with #1, much worse with #2. We'll see what happens this time around.

[liliaceae]

Much worse with #2.

[rsps]

Mine were much worse the 2nd time -- I didn't really have any the first time.

[MaerynPearl]

1st none
2nd period like cramps
3rd RLP like pain!

i fear a fourth!

[MamaMonica]

Moved to Birth and Beyond

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Yep sure was true for me. After dd I was fine but after ds yeeouch.

[major_mama11]

I don't remember them at all after my 1st, but yes they were quite labor-like after my 2nd. I took ibuprofen on a schedule and that took the pain away. I could def tell when I had gone past the time when it was due.

[GreenMamma]

After my 1st they were surprisingly painful, but short-lived, after my second they were pretty painful, again short-lived, but after my third they were pretty intense, especially when nursing. For the first couple of days I nursed with a bag of ice of my uterus. My mdiwife told me no on Motrin and heat, because both encourage bleeding. So Tylenol and ice it was.

[jecombs]

Mine weren't too bad after #1 or #2, but I also kept a steady stream of ibuprofen in my system. I remember feeling them when nursing, but they were nothing compared to contractions!

[Pirogi]

Does anybody have any experience with eating placenta? Did that help to lessen the afterpains?