who has experienced them, that they are aware of?? And were they really bad for you???

I ask this because, I was totally caught off guard with them. I had never even heard of them! And....I experienced very very bad after birth pains, so much so, that they ended up giving me something strong to cope with them. I just wanted to know if anyone else had experienced very strong after birth pains....as a family member of mine basically called me a Martyr behind my back because the pains were bad (for me).