After birth pains...

[mistyeiz]

Not too sure if this is just me or not but just thought I ask anyway....

What does after birth pains feel like and when do they stop? It's been 3 weeks since I had Ella and I still feel the soreness down there. TMI coming up now.... how I would explain the pain is like a soreness/throbbing pain that I used to feel when I am/was having my period. The pain seems to be just at the opening...like some sort of cramping. I seem to have this all the time n not just during bf.

Is this pain normal...? Perhaps it's my stitches healing as well? But it does seem to have lessen....just wanted to find out more or if something's wrong some where...

[RhiChiChi]

Hi,

I didn't give birth vaginally, but I did start labour then had an emergency c-sect. My tummy and general well being didn't return to 'normal' until my DD was about 8 weeks. There are a few mums in my mums group who had an episiotomy / 3rd degree tear and they are still healing. I would think what you are describing is perfectly normal and you will feel ok soon.

[mistyeiz]

thanks jools...glad to hear that. i was told that my stitches would dissolve between 7 - 10 days but i can still feel something there even today. and i find that weird since i'm past the time frame. then again, everyone is different so that's what i'm hanging on to. but i am glad that my roids have gone!!

[~Raven~]

It took about 5 weeks for the achy throbbing feeling to go away for me

[StrawberryMumma]

Hi Mistyeiz

My suture line took quite a while to stop feeling tender, even past 6 weeks I felt little twinges with it.

As for afterpains, mine weren't tooo bad, probably still had a few little niggles with it after a few weeks though. These felt like a really dull, intense aching sensation for me. Mine were pretty much to do with bf but.

Our bodies sure have a lot of healing to do don't they! So your pain is probably just to do with that. 3-4 weeks isn't that long ago. I'd just be watching out for any infections down there, those may cause a bit of pain too.

YAY on the roids too!! lol

[mistyeiz]

ooo...i'm so glad i aint the only one!!! i was getting a little bit worried seeing that these pains never seems to go away. thanks for sharing!

[Cricket]

For me, afterpains felt a lot like early labour or really bad PMS. OOOUUUUCCCCHHHH. Not fun when trying to relax and nurse. I think they typically last 3-5 days post-partum The pain you are feeling is probably more related to your tear/episiotomy. It might take a while before that feels OK again. If it is really bothering you, or if you have a smelly discharge, or if you develop a fever, make sure you let your MD know! Maybe mention this feeling to your doctor at your 6 week appointment anyways, just so that he/she can make sure all is healing the way it should.
All the best!

[kungfubecca]

I had some that felt like af cramping but not too bad, and only when feeding. they went away in about a week, and i used panadine to relieve them.

the feeling of stitches might just be scar tissue trying to stretch. sometimes a scar will pull a it, but don't stress the high blood flow down there means that scar tissue will often dissapear completely.

One thing I do have is when I go to the loo, (only sometimes) my body naturally pushes down a little and I feel very bruised in my pelvic floor. I'm trying to just do heaps of pelvic floor exercises to help.

[mistyeiz]

One thing I do have is when I go to the loo, (only sometimes) my body naturally pushes down a little and I feel very bruised in my pelvic floor. I'm trying to just do heaps of pelvic floor exercises to help.

o dear...this is the one thing i havent been doing much ...no, havent done at all. is it really THAT important....? correct me if i'm wrong but pelvic floor muscle exercising feels like when u try to stop ur pee midway right?