after pains - how to manage

[maisym]

After pains have got worse with each birth. I bf and for the first few days it is just worse than labour pains when they start to feed.

So after the summer I willl be bf again and am wondering how to cope with after pains.

Any tips and help much appreciated.

Also - just wondering - Do formula feeding mums get after pains?

last time was horrible so this time round i took paracetamol almost straight after the birth and topped up every 4 hours for the first couple of days. didn't notice the pains this time round so I guess it worked?

the after pains are your womb contracting so FF probably do get them too. Mine were worst after dd2 they were agony, the next babies were a bit smaller and they weren't anywhere near as bad.

I too paracetamol and ibuprofen round the clock to cope and I got something else on pescription beginning with V (can't remember) which is an anti-spasmodic was much much better on drugs

yes, formula feeding mums do get afterpains.

The midwife told me that they were sorer this time round (baby no. 3) because the womb has to shrink more - they were toe curling! I took painkillers every 4 hours (can't remember what I was prescribed) and they stopped after a few days.

Hot water bottle was fabbo, soon as baby came of boob, bottle went on tum. Maybe someone has homeopathic ideas? I know that I didn't have pain relief during birth but did for after pains.

Not sure about bottle feeders, but I do think that b/f intensifies it but does encourage tummy to go down quicker, so more for less time....

Mine were toe-curling - thought I'd throw up!

I got afterpains with No 3 and was prescribed painkillers at the hospital. I was bf but I got the pains in between feeds as well.

Mine was very painfull and every time that I bf dd2 I was in tears. I used Paracetemol and ibuprofen and it did not help. It was definately worse than labour... totally forgotten about it, but now will definately reconcider having a 3rd child...

Everyone gets them, but bfing makes your womb contract quicker so they're more concentrated I think.

Take paracetomol and ibupfrufen, or ask your doc for something stronger.

i've just had my second baby and the really bad pains only lasted for three or four days!

yikes - between feeds as well!

I'll ask about strong pain killers at my next check up. I've also given birth with no pain relief as didn't need any & couldn't believe the pain from after pains.

I can't remember what I had but it wasn't ordinary off-the-counter drugs and must have been ok with bf. Only had bad pains the first evening after he was born and the drug was v effective once they gave it to me.

I was given a few voltarol t take home with me - v good stuff

I'll ask about that medication

thanks to everyone for their help as well xxx

how many days should afterpains last for? Last time was about 3 days as I started to feed.

Hi. I got afterpains after dd2. No one told me to expect these so I thought I was having a twin!!!. Doped up on painkillers so not thinking straight!!!

Co-codamol 30/500 only on prescription but given to me in hospital so fine with BF. Can give constipation if taken too much. Did the trick though.

I had HORRENDOUS afterpains with dd. Turned out to be gallstones .