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Pregnancy

Painkillers for afterpains.... AND are they really that bad with number 3 onwards?

18 replies

ThisPhantomPlopsPumpkins · 26/10/2009 20:11

Hospital gave me nothing with DC2, now I'm expecting No3 and am already dreading the afterpains.

Is there something strong I can take which is suitable whilst breastfeeding?

OP posts:

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NotAnOnlyChild · 26/10/2009 20:16

Just had DC2, no one told me about afterpains, I thought I had some sort of stomach bug! I told the nurse in hospital and she then informed me about afterpains and gave me co-codamol. That was good. Get them to give you some to take home if you can. Otherwise afterwards I took ibuprofen and paracetomol together (which is safe). They didn't last too long but the early ones felt like the bloody contractions! Good luck

DwayneDibbley · 26/10/2009 20:18

This reply has been deleted

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smackapacka · 26/10/2009 20:19

Co-Codamol night make you a bit bunged up so ask for advice! No point substituting one pain for another!

napa · 26/10/2009 20:50

if you are breastfeeding you should not take ibuprofen, and afterpains may get worse while you feed but paracetamol or cocodamol or codydramol are ok (though not together as they all contain paracetamol!) Good luck

CarGirl · 26/10/2009 20:51

No2 was the most painful by far, nos 3 & 4 really weren't as bad (though they were a little bit smaller babies).

I refused to leave hospital without a pescription of voltoral though - wonderful stuff.

sanfairyann · 26/10/2009 20:55

don't know whether no 3 was more painful or not cos I didn't take any chances and necked the paracetamol asap after drug free delivery of dd

shallishanti · 26/10/2009 20:59

ime, pains worse with each successive baby.
and bfing starts them off -it's the oxytocin. Best thing is to take paracetomol about 15 mins before each feed
[hollow laughter]
as if you can see into the future!
But have one handy and take it as soon as you start to feed.
I don't remember it going on for too long though- a day or so?

CarGirl · 26/10/2009 21:05

a day or so - farkin 2 weeks I was in AGONY for!!!

ThisPhantomPlopsPumpkins · 26/10/2009 21:09

Voltarol - is that the suppository? Is it OK for breastfeeding and can you get it over the counter or do I need to see my GP first?

I don't recall having any afterpains with DC1, but I remember breastfeeding DD the night I got home from hospital and thinking I had something seriously wrong, they lasted for about 3 days IIRC, meant to last longer with each child I think.

OP posts:

CarGirl · 26/10/2009 21:20

voltarol is pescription only and is anti spasmodic I think. I was given the okay to use it whilst breastfeeding.

All I can think is that there was something not right after I had dc2 because I really was very unwell, heavily heavily bleeding and in agony with afterpains for at least 2 weeks - something to do with not being allowed to empty my bladder for 5 hours after delivery I suspect

taokiddy · 26/10/2009 21:31

I agree with CarGirl - no. 2 was the worst. 3 and 4 still bad but definitely no worse. Midwife said to me with no. 2 "Oh you must be one of those women that's back in her jeans a week later". I'm not, but would be nice to think there's gain with sooo much pain!

Anya4 · 26/10/2009 22:21

Don't remember afterpains with any of my three - although ask me again in March (no 4) and I'll probably have a nasty reminder !!

Spidermama · 26/10/2009 22:22

Mine got worse with each baby and number 4 was really sore. I had a leccy blanket type of thing from the midwives which I strapped on and I took pain killers even though I had nothing for any of the births.

Clary · 26/10/2009 22:25

OH gosh yes mine were hideous with DS2 (no 3 DC).

In fact I recall sayign to DH that it was worse than labour that can't be right can it?

Only lasted a day or so tho IIRC. YY to cocodamol.

Positive note to this: afterpain is uterus contracting so hey, tummy will vanish

happyjules · 26/10/2009 22:42

Two drug free pain free waterbirths, but after pains gimmmeeee drugs. With dd2 only a few hours old had to leg it to the ensuite to barf after my first proper meal in two days

lou031205 · 26/10/2009 23:02

Ibuprofen is fine during breastfeeding.

Voltarol is the trade name for Diclofenac, which is a NSAID (anti-inflammatory). Ibuprofen is also a NSAID, but is slightly weaker than Diclofenac (voltarol).

After pains with DD2 were bad. With DD3 they were viscious.

cece · 26/10/2009 23:05

The hospital sent me home with some after DC3 and yes they were worse. Sorry but can't remember what they gave me!

lou33 · 26/10/2009 23:05

omg afterpains, they were worse after each child, it felt like i was giving birth again with number 4

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