Why is it...

[~Raven~]

I had afterpains but they weren't all that bad. Just like bad period pains.

[Spring Angel]

My afterbirth pains with Oliver were absolutely shocking. I don't remeber having them at all with Harrison although admitedly that time was a blur.

I managed a drug free labour with Oliver but needed some panadol for the afterbirth pains. They were especially bad when breastfeeding, enough to make my eyes water. Youch!

[leebee81]

I had them with Oliver and he was my first. I took ponstan or panadol for the first week because breastfeeding triggered them off again. I've heard they get worse with subsequent births - something I can't say I'm looking forward too.

[Antheia]

So could anyone find out WHY we get them the second time around and not the first? I'm still curious lol.

[mbear]

When you have your first baby your uterus is toned and more 'solid' than with later babies. The more babies you have, the more "lax" your uterus is.
After baby, your uterus continues to contract for days afterwards to shrink it back to its original size. With your first baby or two, you dont really feel these contractions. The more babies you have, the more you feel them. Can be extremely painful and are much worse if you are breastfeeding. Just like nipple stimulation can bring on contractions to put you into labor, breastfeeding causes your uterus to contract after birth as well.

I have recently had baby #3 and never, ever in my life have i experienced such pain - and it was defn worse when breastfeeding. Its enough to put you off having another......