What were your afterpains like with 3rd baby?

[Lizbiz89]

Due my 3rd in a few weeks and I've been told the afterpains with the 3rd are absolutely horrendous. Anyone have experience with them after 3rd baby? Were they that terrible?

Yup! Take the painkillers!

Take the painkiller and drink several cups of peppermint tea each day.

In my opinion, the peppermint tea worked better than the painkillers. But don't risk it; take both!

Yes, very very bad. I had to unlatch baby and give to DH within seconds of trying to latch as I thought I might faint.
Had cocodamol or similar and gas and air initially (had only been on gas and air for labour contractions) then kept up with Ibuprofen and paracetamol for about 5 days.

My labour contractions and pushing were easier though, so pros and cons.

Very painful, take meds and rest!

Yes the after pains with following the birth of my third baby were awful. I couldn’t hold him and had to have some gas and air

Very bad! Even worse with no.4. It’s definitely got worse each time. Take the meds and deep breaths!

Very painful (take paracetamol which will do nothing 😂) but they don’t last for long and in comparison to actually giving birth it wasn’t that bad.

no different for me

Mine were horrific and I was in agony after #2 with #3 & 4 I left hospital with Voltarol (way back when) but didn't need it. Did it hurt a lot but not horrific. #2 was the biggest though but only by lb max.

No worse than period pains for me and I don’t find that sort of pain particularly painful.

however, I am utterly useless with any sort of a mild fever and have to go to bed!

what were they like with your last two? I think different people handle different types of pain differently.

Mine were non existent for 3rd!

Fine for me.

@underneaththeash they were fine for my 1st 2 dc. Had a bit of pain straight after birth with my 2nd but nothing when I left the birth centre. My boobs were far more painful when my milk came in than any afterpains. Lots of people seem to have them really badly with the 3rd though so I'm just preparing myself for the worst.

Yes v. Painful. Take the meds. It lasted about a week before it settled.

Ok with third. Absolutely awful with fourth.

3rd not too bad. 4th was worse than my 3 hour labour. Absolutely thought something was very wrong. And was at home.

Not sure about the third but awful with the 4th (twins). Probably as bad as the birth 😬

I've had three big babies and never had afterpains. And I found labour horrendous so it's not just a 'copes well with pain' thing 🤷🏻‍♀️

They just about killed me even with my second baby (and that was after a C section). I always had terrible milk oversupply too and I’ve often wondered if I had a bit too much of whatever hormone controls the whole lactation/uterus contraction thing.

I never had any until my 3rd, then they were pretty awful. They then got worse with each baby. I think that half the battle is expecting them and being prepared though.
Good luck!

Mine were awful with my second. Me and another lady were both in exactly same time and given birth at a similar time. We heard each other breathing deeply and saying ow and both discovered we had the same issue. We got dihydrodeine and it was epic. We both felt way better after. I remember it now. Baby asleep and me and her ready to snooze then oh my word. The pains

Bad. No one warned me. Take the pain meds regularly and rest. You’ll be fine because you’re prepared.

Yup, take them ASAP after birth even before the after pains start.

Thanks everyone. I've got the paracetamol at the ready along with my electric back warmer. Which I'm also planning on using in the labour! Home birth this time so fingers crossed I'll be tucked up in bed after 🤞