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severe afterpains  

post #1 of 10
4/29/08 at 9:36am
Thread Starter 
My baby was born about 48 hours ago. I've been having severe afterpains that are making it very hard for me to get any sleep at night. Yesterday they tapered off almost completely during the day, and I thought I was home free, but they came back with a vengeance in the late evening and kept me up, in a lot of pain, for much of the night (unlike my baby, who sleeps very soundly! ).

Why so much worse at night? What can I do?

What I've tried: manual pressure. Hot water bottle. Motherwort tincture. Homeopathic hypericum. Last night, in desperation, ibuprofen (pretty effective).

post #2 of 10
4/29/08 at 11:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by indeospero View Post
Last night, in desperation, ibuprofen (pretty effective).
Take some more ibuprofen. It won't pass into your milk. Using meds to cope w/ afterpains (when natural remedies aren't effective enough) is an example of the thoughtful use of pain-relieving drugs.
post #3 of 10
4/29/08 at 11:03am
there is a product you can get online and in some health food stores called AfterEase. It's just fastastic!
post #4 of 10
4/29/08 at 2:17pm
I had very severe afterpains, and I took Tylenol as well, as the last resort. mine were gone in 4 days, so i hope yours go away as well. mine were horrific. hugs. and congratulations!
post #5 of 10
4/29/08 at 5:41pm
I had that too... they're pretty annoying. I remember them getting a lot less severe after day 3, though, and being gone completely by day 5 or 6, so relief will probably come soon.

The only comfort measure I'd add is to keep your bladder empty. Try to go pee before you nurse.
post #6 of 10
4/29/08 at 5:44pm
I have always had horrific afterpains, which included vomiting, shakes, etc. One thing I have learned is to keep your bladder empty at least every hour or less. I have always used tylenol or motrin combined with heat but with my last baby my midwife gave me Devil's Claw capsules, 4-5 every 4 hours the pain was completely manageable and no vomiting I was amazed! I keep it on hand now for headaches.

Congratulations on your new baby!
Have a wonderful babymoon.
Sarah
post #7 of 10
4/29/08 at 8:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by christinespurlock View Post
there is a product you can get online and in some health food stores called AfterEase. It's just fastastic!
I would not give birth without AfterEase nearby.

And, I second, third, fourth using Tylenol for afterbirth pains if you can't find AfterEase.

And, I'll second the keeping the bladder empty.
post #8 of 10
4/29/08 at 9:09pm
you can buy AfterEase here:
http://www.birthwithlove.com/categor...e%2DWishgarden

that's where I bought mine (haven't used it yet) on my mw's recommendation--I am sure glad to have that in my 'drug kit' after all the recommendations on this thread!
post #9 of 10
4/30/08 at 8:48am
Thread Starter 
Thank you so much, everyone! I went ahead and took 400mg ibuprofen last night and had no horrible cramping wake me up. I'll see if I can find some AfterEase locally today...

I've definitely noticed the bladder connection, too. Thought it was just me. Guess not!

Thanks again. It's good to know I'm not alone in finding the afterpains pretty unbearable.
post #10 of 10
4/30/08 at 9:40am
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