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Childbirth

So Labour is the easy bit....what about the after pains!!!! arrgghhh

25 replies

horseshoe · 05/04/2008 21:45

The bit I am dreading most.

They lasted a week with DD2 and cause no-one spoke about them I thought I had another baby up there.

Been told they get worse the more kids you have. I was on all fours after DD2 was born.

OP posts:

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MerlinsBeard · 06/04/2008 10:37

I had forgotten too until ds3 was born. They didn't start uintil i was at home (3 hours later lol) I thought i had another baby in there they were SO bad. I felt i needed gas and air for the forst day or so

deep breathing helped and knowing that it was my body going back to normal too. Keep topped up with whatever pain relief you choose. For various reasons i can only have paracetamol

Minkus · 06/04/2008 10:26

I hadn't even thought about this (another thing to add to list for pregnancy brain to mull over and panic about at 3am when I'd much rather be sleeping grrrr)

How long do they last? Is it "just" until your womb has shrunk back down? Can't remember how long this takes...

SparklyGothKat · 06/04/2008 10:21

They say that because paracetamol will stop a false labour, but not a real one IIRC

sweetkitty · 06/04/2008 10:13

Always love when they say take two paracetamol in early labour SGK, they don't even make a headache better nevermind labour pains!

I always wanted to be shot in the bum with one of those tranquiliser darts!

SparklyGothKat · 06/04/2008 10:12

I had terrible afterpains with DS2 (my 4th) They tried to give me co-codamol even though I had a red band on my arm saying NO CODEINE because I am allergy to it. They then gave me paracetamol (thanks that helped!! NOT) I had to ask for something strong.

sweetkitty · 06/04/2008 10:06

Thanks for the link terramum - I think it's one of those rare side effects things like some people can't even take paracetamol, all medicines carry potential side effects but good to know anyway.

I always thought cocodamol was safe to use as thats what the MWs dished out on the post natal ward and sent me home with. I asked for them with DD2 and will with DD3.

I had problems BFing DD1 as well but that was more to do with her being too sleepy to feed not me (don't think I slept for about 3 days after she was born). Had no problems feeding DD2, she was an excellent feeder from birth and that combined with all the advice and experience I had had from DD1 we did just fine.

Funnily enough although the cocodamol didn't wipe me out when taking it when they were born, I had a migraine one day a few months later and took a couple and was completely spaced out!

terramum · 06/04/2008 00:04

co-codamol does have a tiny risk when breastfeeding because of the codeine in it (see the links below) & after my experiences last time & I personally won't be using it again with future babies...but I know loads of mums have taken it with no problems

www.nelm.nhs.uk/Record%20Viewing/vR.aspx?id=586842
www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/codeine.htm

Jennylee · 05/04/2008 23:28

if a tens machine helped in labour could it not help to stick it on when the afterpains come?, I am also dreading them had them whith my first them I went to the toilet, but glad to know about co-codamol and whatever volatarol is, hopefully can breastfeed whilst taking these things?

Joggeroo · 05/04/2008 22:24

They are worse when your bladder is full...so wee as soon as you feel able after the baby arrives. this was advise from the MW when I had no 3 as i nearly passed out with the initial after pains when dc2 was born.
Also they are worse when feeding over the first few days so I made sure (just had dc4) that I'd had a wee and and a recent dose of pain killers before a feed. GP who did the baby check said Neurofen was ok, MW said paracetamol and codeine so as they work differently and can be taken together I took them both, with quite good effect! \Don't htink the pain had anything to do with tight tummies, just how hard and quickly your uterus is working to get back to normal.

JackieNo · 05/04/2008 22:17

I didn't get them, and I have a mahoosive tummy.

horseshoe · 05/04/2008 22:15

Yep me too K999 and my shoes

OP posts:

K999 · 05/04/2008 22:09

Lol Cargirl...I tuck my folds into my trousers and my pockets, and my hems etc.......

CarGirl · 05/04/2008 22:05

I'm 5' a size 8 and dc2 was 10lb6oz, I certainly do not have a tight tummy, I tuck the loose folds into my jeans.

horseshoe · 05/04/2008 22:04

So those of you that DIDN'T get them can I ask a personal question???

Do you have tight tummys?

Two of my friends insist they have never had after pains and I think it may be because they have six packs and they seem to spring back into shape whereas me.....I'm all tummy and backside

OP posts:

terramum · 05/04/2008 21:57

I dreaded them & was pleased when they dosed me up with co-codamol so I couldn't feel them....but I missed rounds the next day & so it wore off....but I was really glad it did because I was able to tell when DS was latched on properly because I had more pain then (we had huge problems bfing for a variety of reasons & knowing he was actually suckling properly was enough to make the pain bearable )

horseshoe · 05/04/2008 21:56

I am writing those drugs down now and demanding them ALL!!!

I only BF DD2 for 3 days because after they kicked in I cried at the thought of putting her to the breast cause the contractions would start up. I didn't have the pain threshold to see them out.

OP posts:

CarGirl · 05/04/2008 21:52

forgot to add didn'e use the voltarol because they weren't that bad.

K999 · 05/04/2008 21:51

Never had pains after either birth...but I had two sections and was on heavy painkillers already..........come to think of it, I was high as a kite for weeks after each birth!!!

Although, bf was painful!

Scotia · 05/04/2008 21:51

horseshoe, I had really bad afterpains after my second dc (doubled up crying with them), but none after 3rd, 4th or 5th - so they won't necessarily get worse

Yurtgirl · 05/04/2008 21:49

Terrible after pains for me too Im afraid. Contractions and baby kicks soooooo painful

Sorry not to be more reassuring but at least you are prepared

CarGirl · 05/04/2008 21:49

mine we were worst after dc2, dc3 & 4 were no where near as bad (although they were a pound & half a pound smaller). I got voltarol on pescription because I was screaming with pain with dc2 when I fed her!

suwoo · 05/04/2008 21:49

I never felt them with either of mine. Maybe because DS (no 2) was a section, so I was on painkillers already??

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cazboldy · 05/04/2008 21:48

i had none until after the birth of my 3rd.

after the birth of my 5th, i thought i was going to DIE!

sweetkitty · 05/04/2008 21:47

co-codamol

MWs gave me it after DD1 was born for the stitches and repair job

DD2 I asked for it on prescription before she was born they were fine about it

will be getting it again, have just been through childbirth am not suffering more pain

tassisssss · 05/04/2008 21:46

oh dear i'd forgotten about these, do they really get worse each time?

like you no-one'd told me to expect them and they were GRIM

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