These afterpains - shoot me now!!

[SerialReJoiner]

DS is 3 days old and the pains are still coming; mostly during feeding but can come any time. I grit my teeth and moan/cry through them. Paracetamol doesn't seem to help, but a hot water bottle takes the edge off (or just distracts me??).

This is not my first DC, and they have gotten worse each time, but I can't remember how long it takes for them to fade. This is the most uncomfortable part of recovery!

Mine were worst with dc2 but happily the mw were able to give me volterol (or 'my' pink pills as they became known). After dc3 was born last month I was told they aren't allowed to give it anymore and you've got to make do with a paracetamol/ibuprofen mix. Outrage!

I had severe after pains, sobbed through breastfeeding those first few days. A midwife gave me gas and air lol. They were a shock the first time round.

Glad they've eased off.

How did I not know about after pains? D: oh god I'm only just figuring out how I'm going to get through birth.

The afterpains with ds3 were so bad I was in agony crawling across the landing trying to get to him when he was crying and another round of afterpains hit. It was easily as painful as the end of labour.

No afterpains at all the dc1 and fairly managable but uncomfortable with dc2.

I've just had my second dc but first natural birth. Both bf but I've not been experiencing after pains - I'd never heard of them either so thank goodness I've not had any - id have properly freaked out. I wonder how common they are and why there's not more warning.

Wow, you learn something new every day! What causes them - is it the uterus contracting back or something?

I had emcs without labour and was then on so many drugs that I wouldn't have felt anything anyway.

I never had a single one in my life. Nor did I ever have any braxton hicks. I'm a freak of nature I tell you.

If it's any consolation I had horrible labours and births and lots of stitches.

Nobody told me about afterpains!

I had two labours - one very difficult - with no drugs at all. Not even gas and air. I was young and stupid

No afterpains with DD1. DD2 I was pleading with the nurses to give me something. I was in tears at times

(I also get fillings and extractions with no anaesthetic if I'm feeling strong. No amount of positive thinking helped me conquer afterpains!)

God my afterpains were awful! I'm feeling for you OP?

Are you bf? That makes the womb contract quicker so can be more painful.

I just had DD3 yesterday and after pains are horrendous when bfing- definitely worse than first 2 times. It's horrible!

DC3's after pains were by far worse that the labour. Whole labour was 3 hours.....