Afterpains . . . ouch !

[LizaBear]

Wyatt is almost 48 hours old, and the afterpains are *SO* bad still.

3rd baby in 5 yrs (nursing the 2 youngest) - how long will this go on ?

Any coping remedies you've found work (aside from sucking back ibuprofin - I'm already doing that.) ?

[Spark]

Afterpains can be such a bear.

Can you get some "After-Ease" it works well for a lot of people. It contains crampbark, black haw, motherwort, yarrow. I think it works MUCH better than over the counter pain meds & it's gentler for your body./

If you do decide to have another, make sure "After-Ease" is in your birth supplies. It's usually one of the first things I make sure I have on hand.

[LizaBear]

Never heard of "After-Ease" - I'll google it in a bit.

[fireflies~for~me]

Oh lordy, I remember now...with my second birth at home, I was literally in worse pain from afterbirths than from the actual birth. It was dreadful! I called my midwife at about midnight moaning but not wanting to take anything after I just had a natural birth.

ARG...I am pregnant with number three and I am definitely going to check out the After Ease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fireflies~for~me]

I used one of those squishy stress balls to clench the pain each time.....

[Spark]

You could make your own with crampbark, black haw, motherwort & yarrow. Do you have a close friend/relative to help you get some?

This is AfterEase this http://www.1cascade.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=2133 There are similar other ones, too.

[cjarvis]

:

[AngelBee]

I used after ease with Mylee's birth almost three weeks ago. Worked well for me. Also eating good, staying hydrated, and resting alot.

[Peony]

Ouch, DD2 is 6 wks old, afterpains are still fresh in my mind. The After Ease really helped. I was whimpering with tears in my eyes from the afterpains, I didn't even do that while I was in labor. good luck.

[~Mamaterra~]

After dd#2, our third babe 3 months ago, I bawled out loud and googled for remedies at 3am...the contractions happened when I nursed and then every 20 mins for 3 days afterwards...unbelieveable. I actually told dh that this pain was enough to make me reconsider any subsequent children, not labour or birthing, afterpains!!!

Anywhoo, I found that when I was sleeping (or trying) sleeping on my stomach on top of a firm pillow positioned uterus-way added counterpressure that helped. Also, a heating pad for both my lower back and abdomen and when it got really bad, I would just knead the area vigorously...I was in pain anyways, what was a little more..

[AngelBee]

Also, keep your bladder empty. That seemed to aggrivate things if I had to pee.

[mamabain]

my midwife and LLL leader said it was okay to alternate ibuprofen and tylenol. i had to, it sucked big time. i can't remember how long it lasted but it was probably at least 2 weeks...

[cjarvis]

Does anyone know if you can get "After Ease" at Whole Foods?

Thanks,
Crystal

[Mrs_Hos]

Took me 3 hrs to birth the placenta...and those afterpains sucked! I was pissed since I felt like I had already done all the work with birthing the baby--I didn't need MORE pain ya know?
My pains were mostly on day one--mild by day 2...done by day 3...
I did tylenol, then motrin, then tylenol etc...

[cjarvis]

bump

[redhotmama]

I vote for Afterease as well. It says to take it every 4 hours or something but I sucked down the whole bottle in 24 hours. I was crying with pain, but they really "eased" up if I downed a glass of water with Afterease just as soon as I felt one coming on.
I have heard they get worse the more babies you have. Quiverfull mommas, can you confirm or dispell this rumor?

[Lohagrace]

I've heard from many people that they are worse with each subsequent birth. i swear this time i was telling my husband to take me back to the hospital because i was in labor again! i was shaking/quivering involuntarily and whimpering, having to use labor-coping breathing, etc. i couldn't believe how painful they were. other than ibuprofin (and someone mentioned an empty bladder--this is very important. i think you cant really tell if you have to go in the first few days postpartum, so just go sit on the toilet whenever you think about it to keep it empty) i also used a heating pad/hot water bottle. the heat helps relax those muscles. good luck! mine were pretty much gone by 4 days postpartum.

[tansyflower]

lizabear, our little ones are all about the same age!

afterpains were bad this time. I tried at first to ignore them but that was like trying to ignore the strongest of contractions! I called my MW at 48 hours and she suggested applying pressure to my abdomen while the pain lasted...that helped a little but the best thing I could do was to treat it like labor, concentrating on each afterpain, stopping all conversation with family and children, seeking solitude by closing my eyes.

mine were gone within 72 hours.

I have heard they get worse with each babe~ I will definantley be more prepared next time!

[kerikadi]

Immediately after birth I add droppers full of after ease and cramp bark to my juice.

Keri