After Pains . . . Argghhh!

[OMama]

For those of you who've just had your babies, who is STILL experiencing these lovely after birth contractions? I'm 6 days PP now and they are still very intense. I don't get them often anymore but when I do they are definitely as bad as what I experienced in labor. Is this normal? They come mainly in the evening and I get them one on top of the other -- very much like the final stages of labor. Is my body re-living the whole experience?

They were so bad last night that I had to take ibuprofen again (I had already taken some cal-mag citrate) and I had to do some serious breathing and visualizations to keep myself from freaking out and calling the midwife. Labor had a purpose -- but what is up this?! WHEN are they going to be gone?

[brookerenee]

I had afterpains for about a week. For the first four or five days, they were just as bad as labor pains. They would come every few minutes, especially during breastfeeding. I didn't use any drugs in labor, but I did take some Motrin for the afterpains! They were bad, because they started in my lower abdomen, worked their way around to my back, and then radiated down my legs. The only relief I had was having my DH rub my legs really hard, and he got tired of it, so I took the Motrin, which dulled them, but didn't get rid of them entirely.

There is an end in sight! I hope you feel better soon. If they don't go away or lessen in severity, you probably should call your midwife.

[seahorsie]

Yes I was shocked at how painful the afterpains are - it felt like reverse labor, 6 min. apart at first. The midwife told me it can be worse with each baby. I took ibuprofen but also arnica homeopathic remedy & red raspberry leaf tea & today I have had no pains yet - (4 days pp). Hope it gets better!

[cam&kat's_mom]

We're 3 days PP and are having the after pains as well. Hoping they GO AWAY Soon!!!

[deleria]

Today is day 7 and I haven't had any afterpains for the first time. So there's hope at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there, mamas!

[Chicky2]

Boy do they ever get worse each time!!! I have a bottle of ContractEase waiting for just this reason (Trilight herbs). But, one of the best things I've done for them is to have my dh help me bind my belly REALLY tight w/a crib sheet or sling ro something like that. Then have several nice big ice packs made up in advance. When you sit down to nurse, put the ice on your abdomen (put a towel or blankie on top so you don't freeze the baby, lol) and nurse away. Helps TREMENDOUSLY!

BTW, this will be my 4th....

[faithhopelove]

You guys just totally killed me. I had no idea I was going to have to endure these for that long...

[Finding Serenity]

I had the worst uterine contractions for 3 days--just as bad as labor and they were continous.(7th baby) I had never had such painful afterpains before and I wasn't prepared for what I went through. I didn't take anything for the pain but I found the heating pad comforting. My MW suggested homepathic herbs but by the time I saw her on Sunday, they were gone so I don't know if they would have helped. I am also tandem nursing and that made them even more intense both during and after feeding my babes. As strong as they were, they disappeared like magic by the 4th day.

[faithhopelove]

I really didn't have many afterpains with either of my other babies. This is a whle new ballgame for me.

[leurMaman]

My sister said that the after pains got worse with each pregnancy. By the time she had her fourth she swore that nature was sending her clear messages not to have more - hehe. I guess I'll be in your shoes soon, but I wanted to tell you to hang in there.

[wanderlost]

I didn't have any that I remember with my son, but with this baby, man, they were bad! I was told they get worse with each pregnancy. I had a completely natural labor, but then took the offered codeine later for the after pains! They were just as bad as the labor and they were really intense when nursing. My baby is 2 weeks today and I am still having some mild uterine contracting when nursing, but nothing like those first 48 hours!

[mama_om]

I am so sorry to hear about all these afterpains, Mamas! And you've inspired me to look into solutions for myself (I am not due til next week).

I found a recipe for a tea in Susun Weed's book:

1 oz dried Cramp Bark root or Black Haw root
1/2 oz dried Blue Cohosh root
1/4 oz dried Hops flowers

She says: "Infuse herbs in a one quart jar filled with boiling water and sealed well. After eight hours, strain out herbs and refrigerate liquid.
Cramp Bark (or Black Haw) is specific for relieving the pain of uterine flow. Blue Cohhosh helps the uterus rgain its pre-pregnancy state quickly, thus reducing pain, Hops is a sleep-inducing, milk-producing pain killer.
Reheat the brew and sip it throughout the day and night, or as needed, to ease pain and encourage rest. (A little salt improves the taste.)"

She also mentions that taking 5 drops of "Liferoot tincture" 2-4 weeks PRIOR to delivery may help avoid afterpains altogether... though this won't do many of us any good until our next babies!!

The other thing she mentions is to keep your bladder empty post-partum, as this can really help relieve undue pressure on the uterus.

I hope this info is helpful!!

[forty's_wifey]

Im 3 days PP and almost crying from the afterpains. The contractions are worse now than they were when i was in labor. .... off to sleep

[Mrs_Hos]

Peeking in from Nov ddc...

So, what makes afterpains hurt so bad...it is because of the detached placenta? Because your uterus is a muscle and it is 'sore' from the hard work of labor? Anyone have any ideas?

[mama_om]

It's the process of the uterus returning to its pre-pregnancy size. It's more intense after the second or subsequent babies, since the uterus has less muscle-tone and has to work "harder" to get back to its original size.

I found some good info online with a quick google search.

[Tori Gollihugh]

I found that taking a cal/mag about 1/2 hour before nursing REALLY made a BIG difference in the intensity of the afterpains - at least during nursing! The first day I used regular Tylenol as well... but dealt with the pain after that... hate to use meds at all.

Mine came back slightly at 11 days, but thankfully they are gone again. My midwife told me it's really normal to have a pickup in pain and bleeding around 12-14 days. It freaked me out, though... I was bleeding like right after baby was born AGAIN! ahwell It's calmed down a LOT and almost stopped a couple times since then. (I'm only one day farther in my progress, so one day REALLY can make a big difference! )

[Mrs_Hos]

Originally Posted by mama_o

It's the process of the uterus returning to its pre-pregnancy size. It's more intense after the second or subsequent babies, since the uterus has less muscle-tone and has to work "harder" to get back to its original size.

I found some good info online with a quick google search.

Ok...so the RRL tea should be helping my uterus in this case too...good to know...thanks!

[OMama]

I didn't have any pains yesterday or today (so far). I'm 9 days PP now. Oh, I hope they don't come back! Those were some great suggestions. I'm glad I'm not the only one. Seems like the bleeding has picked up a little again in the last two days . . . wondering if this is normal. I'm going through about 6 - 7 pads a day. I still feel pretty achy down there as well. Maybe it is just some bruising around my labia. (And I hate wearing these bulky pads!) I do have three stitches too.