After birth

[icklekid]

With my first I don't remember any after birth pains. I had an epidural which was too effective and didn't really feel to be able to push so had an episiotomy and venture delivery. A few months ago my friend gave birth and asked why no one warned her about after birth pains. I apologised but I didn't have anything I could remember to warn her about! I've read they are worse with each birth- how bad are they? How long do they last? Are they worse than contractions or different? Would another epidural mean they weren't as bad? Sorry for first time mums if adding something else to worry about!

[Feelingblue222]

Yes, def worse second time round I'm afraid! Mine actually lasted maybe a week but only whilst bf. Felt like fairly bad period pains

[MyBreadIsEggy]

First time round, I remember some period pain-type cramping when I breastfed DD for the first 2-3 days, nothing bad enough to require paracetamol or anything.
But I've heard too that after pains are worse second time round I'm only 17 weeks pg with DC2 at the moment, so plenty of time to prepare myself!!

[ThursdayLastWeek]

I had an emcs with DC1 and a longwinded recovery that meant lots of painkillers - I'm not sure if they weren't very strong, or if I just couldn't feel them!

Elcs with DC2 and I was absentmindedly rubbing my tummy like I do when I have period pain. The MW noticed and asked if I was having after pains.
Oh yes, I was. I hadn't realised. Lovely woman added paracetamol to my meds and bought it to me as soon as I was allowed to take it.

[icklekid]

OK, I was on painkillers after because of episiotomy stitches so that could have masked it. Useful to know about it lasting for around a week- at least dh will be there for me to moan at! Did paracetamol help?

[AcademicOwl]

So nothing after first DC (mild period type pain); then horrible pain on day 1&2 post DC2; then not much post DC3.
So I think having codeine and strong NSAIDs on hand is a good thing for at least the first few days...

[ThursdayLastWeek]

I guess, probably in the same way they take the edge off period pain.

Try not to worry too much. Though I only have section pain to compare to I'm quite sure they don't begin to compare to the pain of childbirth either!
Dc2 is only 11 weeks old and I'm already struggling to remember.

[pearlylum]

Worse if you are breastfeeding too. But these afterpains are doing really good work, tightening the uterus after pregnancy and birth, shrinking blood vessels, repairing muscles. Every cramp is repair work.
Breastfeeding speeds up this process and shortens bleeding time after birth.

[ButtfaceMiscreant]

I had horrendous afterbirth pains with DC1, and I had had a (partially failed) epidural and a forceps delivery, followed by a major PPH where the Dr had to try to stop the bleeding manually with own hand in my womb and the other outside it (pleasant!)

My second birth was twins who were born naturally with no interventions on gas and air and I had not one afterbirth pain. I am a little bit worried that when my periods return (breastfeeding) I will pay the price there...

[pearlylum]

I don't think you will "pay the price" buttface, I had really easy births and my perios returned with no change to pre- pregnancy.

[BeauGlacons]

Yes. They do get worse and hurt like hell. I had easy labours and didn't need pain relief afterwards so nothing masked. DD was the third birth and I was in hospital for three days afterwards. The midwives were very solicitious in giving painkillers when I was a bit achy, and I did as I was told. I should have resisted because really the pain was just like period pain. Until the second night when it was intense - and they wouldn't give me any paracetamol for four hours because they'd already given me four doses in 24 hours. If I'd been at home I wouldn't have medicated myself during the day. So, just be careful that you actually need the drugs they are offering.

[icklekid]

That's really helpful and focusing on the healing it is doing is useful pearly will hopefully be breastfeeding again.

Anything else that's worse second time round I need to be aware of?

[pearlylum]

icklekid, I found everything to be easier second time around, with the exception of trying to manage a baby and a two year old!!

[BeauGlacons]

No, everything else was easier. The baby was like a favourite handbag really that accompanied us everywhere. Had the kit, knew what to do with the kit, knew how to change nappies, expect possets, deal with broken sleep, etc.

The only thing that was worse was the washing. How do extra tiny babygros and vests have an exponential effect on the quantity. Lots if friends were equally mystified. We concluded it linked with less time to deal with the mundane made it seem a bigger job.

[icklekid]

Excellent answers pearly and beau best close the thread now before anyone disagrees 😉

[DaisyAdair]

Before you go OP, I'd like to add that I hardly noticed afterpains.

DC1 - none
DC2 - like very mild period pains when bf (just at the beginning of a feed) on days 1 & 2
DC3 - as DC2

No need for painkillers at all.
Hope you're as lucky.

[GentlyGentlyOhDear]

I had afterpains after my first DC for the first few hours but nothing for the second. And it was a really quick and easy birth second time round and breastfeeding was easier. Though I still needed lansinoh for sore nipples!
Fingers crossed for a quick, easy and pain free labour!

[icklekid]

Excellent news daisy and gently more posters like you both are very welcome!

[lljkk]

co-codomol made mine manageable. Not so bad with 2nd baby, but 3rd baby+ (ugh).

[Junosmum]

I had none with my first, and I breastfed. I suspect it'll be worse with my 2nd. It's your uterus contracting down. I have light, pain free periods and I suspect that those with painful periods have worse after pains

[Dixiechick17]

I didn't have any and I breastfed and had no pain relief. My friend said they were awful with her second, and she remembered them not being as bad with her first.