Afterpains

[dinosaurkisses]

Just wondering what everyone’s experiences were with afterpains?

I’d rarely heard them talked about and when they were it was unusually just mentioned that they were worse with each subsequent birth and some women felt them during bf.

With DD I got them about 4 day’s PP and it felt like labour all over again- thankfully only lasted about an hour or so, but they were far more intense than I’d been expecting.

I’m pregnant again and I’m teeing myself up for round two- did anyone find them way worse and can you take painkillers that’ll actually help?

I didn't find them any worse with subsequent births, and they only lasted a few days. Breastfeeding definitely brought them on, but I took paracetamol regularly and that helped. I told myself that they were good/useful pains - uterus contracting back down to normal size.

I didn't have any

I did however gush huge amounts of blood whenever I started a breastfeed.

I have 4 DC and the afterpains were definitely worse than labour after DC4. I begged for codeine or any strong painkiller but they were very reluctant to give me anything. I was breastfeeding so maybe that was the reason. Anyway it did tail off after a week or so but I feel like nobody believed me

I had cocodamol but I've heard they don't allow that now.
None with baby1 but worse with each baby thereafter.

It was way worse with DC2 than DC1, sorry!

I had them when DD started BF. I was so shocked (I’d had a GA so fairly confused) I started screaming that I was still contracting and the baby hadn’t come that was first baby too, which they say you don’t usually get them with. Luckily I was on loads of morphine so the pain wasn’t so bad

I had them while bf probably for a couple of weeks. Was pretty uncomfortable and I didn't expect it. Apparently it is your uterus shrinking?! They faded off though. Sorry to hear you are in pain! Paracetamol?

It was way worse with DC2 than DC1, sorry!

Shit!

I didn’t BF so I’m thinking that’s why I “only” got them for such a short period of time. Going by the intensity of them last time I’m very doubtful that paracetamol is going to be effective

None with DC1 but with DC2 I had them while feeding for about 3 days. Like strong, crampy period pains. Paracetamol and ibuprofen sorted them out and the midwife on postnatal encouraged me to take them.

Sorry, that was supposed to be a face instead of snarky at the suggestion of paracetamol!!!!

I don't think feeding method makes much difference, your uterus has to contract again either way, it's just that because BF triggers and encourages the contraction people often notice pains while feeding.

I don't remember them after dc1. They were pretty sore after dc2. I was rocking on all fours screaming in to my pillow after dc3 😂😭😂😭 it's actually what I'm most scared about now I'm expecting dc4!

I also had much worse afterpains with ds2. It was only for a few days though- maybe 3 or 4. Paracetamol is good to have on hand!