Afterbirth Pains While Breastfeeding

[IddyBiddyBaby]

Hi All,

My baby arrived at 8pm on the 4th (4th child) delivered by my partner in the house as I left my contractions far too late before trying to get to Triage for a second time in the day. However while the natural birth was painful I've come to find that breastfeeding is causing me horrific stomach cramps as my uterus is contracting back to its normal size, I'm literally sitting in tears and I'm so tired. I've got paracetomal and ibuprofen but they don't seem to be doing much, I read some other mumsnet threads but some of the last threads that recommended cocodomal have now been updated and it's no longer recommended.

I'd really like to get some advice on how to deal with these pains and how long I they might last for, from a few threads I've read I've seen 3-5 days mentioned a few times.

Thanks in advance!

Oh bless you. I'm afraid it gets worse the more children you have ( I have 5).

Keep going with the painkillers, lots of fluids and lots of rest. I think mine went on for a week or two. Much worse when you are feeding too isn't it?

Sending it'll be over soon x

I’m not even a year in with my second and I already can’t remember. I think it was only a day or so. It definitely wasn’t as long as 5 days. I agree they’re horrible though.

Could you call the midwifery team that you’re under and ask their advice, they may be able to help?

Congratulations

Oooo you’ve just brought back memories, this happened for me and is true worse with each one ( I also have four) even the tops of my legs hurt when feeding, it did only last a few days though,
I also did the stupid thing of feeling great the day after and hoovering and cleaning then paid for it with back ache like labour pains the following few days. So take it easy, keep going with the painkillers, paracetamol & Brufen are good when combined, but if you need something stronger a few days taking co-codomol is not going to do any harm.

@covidbollocks

Oh bless you. I'm afraid it gets worse the more children you have ( I have 5).

Keep going with the painkillers, lots of fluids and lots of rest. I think mine went on for a week or two. Much worse when you are feeding too isn't it?

Sending it'll be over soon x

Thank you for the reply,

My gosh at this moment in time just thinking about the next cry for another feed in the next few hours is hard to imagine, it's just so painful. The pains did vary child to child but I always ended up going to formula after a period of time but like every birth I do want to try and breastfeed for as long as possible but the pains are just awful, and yes you are right, throughout the day the pains are bad but manageable but the moment I start breastfeeding is when it's absolutely awful.

3-5 days sounds about what I had with these. I had it with all of mine (also have 4). I don’t have a magic solution but I used to find rolling up a muslin to bite down on during feeds helped manage the pain along with all the pain relief you’re allowed. I had c sections with two of mine so had better pain relief post partum than standard ibuprofen and paracetamol.

I also found that the pain was intense for the first couple of days and then slowly eased off for the next few days until it went away all together. So when I say 3-5 days, it was probably two days horrendous, 1 day quite bad and 2 days bearable before fading away all together.

Yes painkillers!!! Cocodamol is very strong. I did paracetamol (and maybe ibuprofen , don't remember) and was fine. Just take them as you need. Those are bad..... eeek don't want to remember....

Oh yes the afterpains i had with DD2 were awful, like full on contractions. I do only remember it lasting a few days though.

I was really lucky that I only got after pains with my 5th (7wks today) but they were properly breathe through painful. I cant exactly remember how long they lasted but it was probably around 5days.