lack of uterus contractions while BF/BF queries

[forpitysake]

I had my 2nd CS 1 week ago (planned).
The 1st was Em.CS and I felt quite traumatised by the whole thing that I gave up BF after 5 days with bleeding, cracked nipples and a lot of pain while feeding.

This time I've managed to keep going with tons of nipple cream and top-up feeds. I'm not going to beat myself up this time if I feel I've had enough, but my recovery this time is so much better this time I feel I can cope better and give BF a better try.

I'm a bit worried about not having the uterus contractions I'm supposed to be having. I'm not expecting to be back in my normal clothes for a while yet, but I'm doubting I'm ever going to get there if my uterus doesn't start doing something.

I don't want to stay looking like this
Is it normal not to get them?

Would it be because I'm still taking the diclofenac and paracetamol?

Or could it be that I never really got period pains anyway??

Also, I'm pretty sure I'm getting a good latch for BF after lots of reading and checking pictures etc but is it normal to not 'like' the sensation of baby sucking?

I find it really 'uncomfortable' and I don't get no sensation - is this normal?
I do the count to 10 thing to see if it feels 'better' from the 1st suck by the time I get to zero and it mostly does and I feel I can continue through it and there's a definite pain difference if she sucks on the actual nipple.

I'm hoping someone with some experience will help me if possible - thank you!

I don't know about the contractions thing, but some people FF from birth and they don't have a post-baby tummy forever so don't worry! :) The painkillers might be masking them I suppose. I was only on ibuprofen and it felt like v. early labour to me - no c-section just stitches.

Also it can take a while to get used to the sensation. I think there always is one - it shouldn't be totally unnoticeable, it should be pain free after that initial ouch of latching, I'd describe it as a gentle tugging/pulling feeling. I guess that it's likely that some people just don't like it.

Thanks for the reply Bertie
Yes, it is a bit like a tugging feeling but even with a seemingly good latch its bordering painful still - just definetly a lot less painful than when she gets my nipple or that 1st few sucks! Ouch!!
I'm hoping that I'll get used to it quickly.
I had read that fair-skinned women have more sensitive skin too but maybe thats a myth!

No idea about contractions.

But the BF stuff sounds spot on. I still (at 19 months) get to a point after a while where I've had enough and I need DS to stop. It's not painful or uncomfortable as such, just suddenly I can't stand it any more! It's always been that way. The ok bit varies in duration; we got through the cluster feeding and the early bit when it takes forever! But there's always been times where I've just had to stop, right now.

I thought it was just me!

Oh, and I only realised the pain at the beginning of a feed had stopped when he was 5 weeks. It may have stopped earlier,I just had a revelation in the car one day!

I don't like the feeling of it much either, though I'm pretty certain i've got the latch right now after initial problems. Can't find out anywhere how it's meant to feel though!

I topped up from day 3. Didn't get the contractions until I was 90% BF about 2 or 3 months later.

Without being too gross, are you bleeding more when you feed? I did in the first few weeks and I put this down to the uterus contracting- although I am not a medic so could well be wrong!

Also- a week is still very early!

Yes, it's normal to bleed more lochia when you feed.

IIRC the midwives said the contractions would last about 48 hours after delivery, so I think they should be over by now. Certainly mine didn't last more than a couple of days. FWIW midwives prodded me and said my uterus was 'fully contracted' but my belly was HUGE. It's gone down quite a bit now (5 weeks).

My DS is 5 weeks & I never felt the uterine contractions despite increased lochia when I bf and my uterus visibly contracting over the first 10 days or so. He is my first and I was told the after pains are very mild and get stronger with each baby you have.