Afterpains

[birthjunkie27]

I've been reading a lot of threads on afterpains, and now I am really worried about them. I remember them being pretty darn bad with baby #2, until I took some Tylenol 3 (with Codine I guess).....but up until that point there were BAD. Not as bad as labor pains as some others have described but close.

So, this being baby #3, I am so afraid of what the afterpains will be like this time around.

I don't rememer how many hours after the birth the pains started....I gave birth at 4:42am, and it wasn't until the sun was shining (MAYBE mid morning) that the pains got bad.

How long typically does it take after the birth for the after pains to start up? I wonder if I can get Dr. to prescribe some Tylenol 3 to have on hand as soon as the pains start up as opposed to calling in the prescription when I'm already doubled over in pain?? I've seen lots of links to herbal remedies, but not so sure I'd depend on them to be strong enough.

Am I the only one who's freaking out about this?

[Spark]

Ok, Bethany, I probably started your freak out. i'm sorry. Didn't mean to be that kind of catalyst. :hug

I'm concerned about afterpains, too. And how much more they'll be after this next baby (most moms report they get stronger after each subsequent birth). But, this is what I know... we're strong women. For crying out loud you had a Bradley hospital birth! WE can handle afterpains.

If Tylenol 3 worked well for you before and you feel comfortable with that choice, then by ALL means, go for it. It wouldn't hurt to have some on hand (afterpains can start within an hour of giving birth). After all, just having it there ahead of time would probably take away some of the freak out/fear surrounding the afterpains.

I *did* say that some of my afterpains were more painful than my labor pain, but I *did* do Hypnosis for birth, so my pain wasn't all that great. So, take that statement with a grain of salt.

I feel more comfortable having some kind of herbal remedy on hand, because that's what worked well for me last time. I'll probably be a little freaked out until I have it in my birth supply box. But, at least I have a plan. That's sometimes the best we can do.

Afterpains never killed anyone. Yes, they're uncomfortable. Yes, they hurt. And, we are not powerless over them. There are things we can do.

[StarCat]

Actually- I have to thank you both for bringing this topic up. I never had any afterpains after dd. Well- never noticed any. Now I can get something either a script or herbal, homeopathic or something, so that I am prepared for them. I hadn't even given it a 2nd thought until now, but I know 2nd, 3rd, etc babies they can be horrible.

[birthjunkie27]

For crying out loud you had a Bradley hospital birth! .


LOL! So, are you saying the Bradley hospital birth was more challenging than the homebirth? Yeah, you're right it was! Much harder.

I know, I need to keep in mind that we are strong women! Geez, if I can handle labor pains, then I know I can handle the afterpains....just really don't want to after all the hard work is done with. ;) I just want to bond with my baby during that time.

[atozmama]

I never had much problem with them. I think for me my biggest problem was exhaustion and being run down. My first was in NICU for 4 days and I did not take care of myself well in that time. I felt much better after we all got home and I got some rest. With my Zoe, I was so elated at having had everything gone so well, I just remember telling the nurse repeatedly that I do not need anything for pain. With Ella it was another case of exhaustion. DH brought us home from the hospital and went to work in a couple of hours. I didn't get decent rest until DH's three days off came up a week later. I am more concerned with DH being home and having help after the baby is born than the afterpains.

[DesireeH]

I didnt have them with my son and now I'm scared! LOL My yoni hurt but that was from episiotomy and stitches I had.........LOL They gave me pain pills but I never took any.

[Slightlycrunchymama]

I had them quite badly with #2 also, for a few days when nursing. This time I have a tincture from my MW called 'after pain' thats supposed to help. I'll try it before I resort to anything drug-like.

[amelissam]

I had HORRIBLE after pains with #2 and #3. With #3, they were WORSE than labor pains. Needless to say, I've been really worried about them too. I've asked around, and I was told there is something called "Afterease" that you can take that is natural to help. I'm going to look into it once I get a little closer. I was also told to drink Red Raspberry Tea regularly to help tone up the uterus before the birth and that it could help with the pains after. I've always heard that RRL can induce labor in some women, though, so I've been too scared. Anyone have experience with it?

[Taedareth]

I was also told to drink Red Raspberry Tea regularly to help tone up the uterus before the birth and that it could help with the pains after. I've always heard that RRL can induce labor in some women, though, so I've been too scared. Anyone have experience with it?

Somewhere on this forum is a good thread about RRL tea. I've been drinking it all through 2nd trimester with no problems. I like the raspberry flavor (although for some reason, if I drink a whole cup of it on an empty stomach it makes me throw up *shrug*). I will say, though, that I recently drank some RRL tea, followed by sex, and experienced some uterine cramps. LOL that kinda dampened the mood. But it was no big deal.

Spark - what is the name of the herbal remedy that worked for you last time?