My last pregnancy I had small contractions after I gave birth and I understand that this is your uterus contracting back to it's normal size.

I am having them again, but these contractions on a scale from 1-10 are about a 6 or 7. They are like full blown labour contractions and usually last about a 1/2 hour. It's actually quite scary.

Has this happened to anyone else? I asked the doctor on Tuesday and he said normal, however, I didn't really convey how much they hurt. I will talk to him again on Friday, but I was just wondering if anyone else had contractions this strong after delivery.

By Eve on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 - 07:34 pm:

Mine were terrible while I was in the hospital after giving birth the my DD, especially when I was nursing. I don't remember them being as bad as you are describing after I got home. Is it happening all the time? I would give it a day and then complain or ask for some pain meds. I hope they go away soon! ((HUG))

By My3cuties on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 - 07:55 pm:

With my 2nd I was sick they hurt so bad. I had to take darvocet and go to sleep to make them even fade. (((hugs))) I feel your pain. Oh and mine would be worse when I nursed.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 - 09:18 pm:

I don't remember afterpains being that bad, but I do remember them being worse when I nursed. It's because of the oxytocin!

By Monicamomof3 on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 - 09:28 pm:

OMG you just brought back memories! OUCH! This is coming from someone who had 2 10 pounders at home with NO drugs/pain killer. Boy oh boy- I was taking Tylenol every 3-4 hours. Like Eve, I contracted hardest when I would nurse.

I hear it gets worse after each birth. My 3rd I didn't feel anything since I was on morphine from my c-section. I am dreading the after birth pains on baby # 4.

Don't worry...it's normal.

By Nicki on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 - 11:06 pm:

Hope you are feeling better, soon.

By Pamt on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 - 11:06 pm:

Yep. Aleve worked wonders for me. And you're right, with the 2nd child they do feel like pretty good labor contractions. It's good for your uterus though and means it is contracting and getting smaller just the way God designed it to work with nursing. Definitely don't be afraid to take a safe pain reliever when you nurse.

By Reds9298 on Thursday, September 8, 2005 - 12:39 pm:

I had those for about 2 days after birth, but I only have one child. I actually had to BREATHE through them they were so bad! I remember holding my dh's hand and him coaching me like he did during labor!
I think it's normal but no fun. Hang in there!

By Cat on Thursday, September 8, 2005 - 02:34 pm:

I didn't have any afterpains with Robin. I think that had a lot to do with the pitocin I was on for 16 hours after he was born because I hemmoraged. With Randy they were awful!!! I remembered hearing they got worse with each baby and thinking there was no WAY I'd have any more if that was the case! They did lighten up and stop completely after about a week or so, though. Remember, like everything else in the first year (sleepless nights, crying--both the baby AND you, teething, etc), this too shall pass. Hugs

By Dandjmom on Thursday, September 8, 2005 - 03:09 pm:

I had small ( like little pinches) after having my DD, but after the birth of my son I had as well , but noticed they where more sever and lasted longer when I was nursing.

By Babysitbarb on Thursday, September 8, 2005 - 04:20 pm:

I had these after pains for a couple days after I had my second child and I just took Tylenol. They stopped before I came home. I did have some twitches in my uterus area for a few more days after coming home during nursing.I woke up the moring after I came home(baby 3 days old) with a horrible pain that lasted for around 45 min-1 hour and then finally when it stopped I went to the restroom and I had passed a huge blood clot, it was as bad as my hardest contraction.